BOY'S CAMP OUT WAS FIASCO!
By OLIVENE GODFREY
Adolescence is sort of an in-between time of life, a time when many young persons feel at loose ends. At times they feel like and behave as adults. At other times they swing back to childhood feelings and activities. I was reminded of that when son Barry was 14-years- old and had an experience that proved to me that a person doesn't become an adult overnight, that it is a gradual process.
Barry and a friend, having a few leisure hours from a rather busy summer schedule, were sitting around wondering what they could do. They discussed camping out. But, they knew that since it was a week day an adult couldn't take them to the woods to camp. "But, why not build a tent and camp out in the backyard?"
Yeah, that was a keen idea. And, they became more excited by the minute as they started gathering up- old sheets and blankets, etc... and constructed their super tent. They took time out to earn some money by mowing a neighbor's lawn so they could buy food for their camping expedition. Then, they decided it would be more fun if a couple of other friends joined them.
During their cook-out in the backyard they were still having a ball despite Barry stepping, barefoot, on a red, hot charcoal briquette, and despite the cats swiping some of their charcoal broiled hamburgers. During the dusky evening they continued to collect things they would need, so they thought--a radio,
games, pillows, more blankets, etc... until the tent was about filled. And, when I returned home later in the evening from a meeting, they were still having a great time. They complimented themselves upon the great job they'd done building the tent and getting everything ready for the night's outing.
Finally, they were ready to settle down and go to sleep. Barry's dad and I cautioned them to keep down the noise as after all they were camping in town, not out in the woods. Somehow, I went to sleep about 12:30 but was awakened at 2 a.m. by voices, giggles. and noises coming from Barry's room. Upon investigation, I learned-- the tent was too small to sleep four people; and, anyway, that super tent had collapsed on them; and besides, the cats had insisted sleeping with them. So, they decided, considering, to spend the rest of the night in Barry's room. Thirty minutes later, after getting them bedded down, and working out decisions as to who was going to sleep where, I returned to bed. As I drifted off to sleep I could still hear whispers and giggles. Maybe they'll sleep late in the morning. Wistful thinking. They were up early, eating in the kitchen, returning to Barry's room to watch television.
All day, I moped around, half asleep. But, being young, the boys were still going strong and went swimming in the afternoon and palled around until dark that night. But, Barry didn't put up a fuss about going to bed that night. And not one of them mentioned the rest of the summer about camping out again, I suspect they learned something we all do sooner or later-often the anticipation of an event is more exciting than the event itself.
See you next time.
By OLIVENE GODFREY
Adolescence is sort of an in-between time of life, a time when many young persons feel at loose ends. At times they feel like and behave as adults. At other times they swing back to childhood feelings and activities. I was reminded of that when son Barry was 14-years- old and had an experience that proved to me that a person doesn't become an adult overnight, that it is a gradual process.
Barry and a friend, having a few leisure hours from a rather busy summer schedule, were sitting around wondering what they could do. They discussed camping out. But, they knew that since it was a week day an adult couldn't take them to the woods to camp. "But, why not build a tent and camp out in the backyard?"
Yeah, that was a keen idea. And, they became more excited by the minute as they started gathering up- old sheets and blankets, etc... and constructed their super tent. They took time out to earn some money by mowing a neighbor's lawn so they could buy food for their camping expedition. Then, they decided it would be more fun if a couple of other friends joined them.
During their cook-out in the backyard they were still having a ball despite Barry stepping, barefoot, on a red, hot charcoal briquette, and despite the cats swiping some of their charcoal broiled hamburgers. During the dusky evening they continued to collect things they would need, so they thought--a radio,
games, pillows, more blankets, etc... until the tent was about filled. And, when I returned home later in the evening from a meeting, they were still having a great time. They complimented themselves upon the great job they'd done building the tent and getting everything ready for the night's outing.
Finally, they were ready to settle down and go to sleep. Barry's dad and I cautioned them to keep down the noise as after all they were camping in town, not out in the woods. Somehow, I went to sleep about 12:30 but was awakened at 2 a.m. by voices, giggles. and noises coming from Barry's room. Upon investigation, I learned-- the tent was too small to sleep four people; and, anyway, that super tent had collapsed on them; and besides, the cats had insisted sleeping with them. So, they decided, considering, to spend the rest of the night in Barry's room. Thirty minutes later, after getting them bedded down, and working out decisions as to who was going to sleep where, I returned to bed. As I drifted off to sleep I could still hear whispers and giggles. Maybe they'll sleep late in the morning. Wistful thinking. They were up early, eating in the kitchen, returning to Barry's room to watch television.
All day, I moped around, half asleep. But, being young, the boys were still going strong and went swimming in the afternoon and palled around until dark that night. But, Barry didn't put up a fuss about going to bed that night. And not one of them mentioned the rest of the summer about camping out again, I suspect they learned something we all do sooner or later-often the anticipation of an event is more exciting than the event itself.
See you next time.
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