Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park

This last weekend we went on a scout family campout.   It was a lot of fun.   The boys  were able to  do some rock climbing and lots of visiting with the other scouts.  

While they waited  for the lines to be put on the Rock Faces,  the boys did some pre climb bouldering.

Some of us ladies were camped out to watch them climb.  I brought my book along but didn't get much reading done at this point.  I did later in the afternoon.  

I was so proud of Cody.  This is his second  official Boy Scout  camp out.   He wasn't so sure  about the climbing but he decided to give it a try and he did awesome. He scurried up the rock like nothing until he got to this  point and then he has to stop and think of how he would get up that last 10 feet or so.  He made it to the top.

Justin has done a little climbing before.  So he had a great handle on it.   Of course  he chose the hardest of the four climbs to start on.  He also scurried right up until he got to this point on his climb.  After about 5 min of confidence building, shaking out the arms and directions from the instructor he finished right up.

Cody was learning how to belay.

Rock climbing does a pretty big number on the hands.

Cody said that belaying is harder than the rock climbing and hard on the hands too.

Cody trying another rope line.  Buck was belaying for him .  This line was tricky because the belayer could not see the climber very well.  This is where the training on climbing calls becomes very important.

Now this just makes me smile.  Buck was having a blast with the boys.  I know he is such a kid at heart and being involved in Boy Scouts with his boys keeps him  happy.  I love that he has this great bonding time with our boys and at such an important time in their lives.   I am very sad, at this point it does not look like Buck will be able to go to Boy Scout Summer Camp.  He has gone the last two years with Justin and this will be Cody's first year but it looks as though he will be deployed.  And if he is not deployed we don't think we will be able to come up with the additional  $800.00 to send him on short notice.   I know the boys can do it on their own and Cody will have his big brother but I really wish he could be there for Cody's firs year.  I guess that is the life we live as we continue our journey living a military family.

Of course he made it to the top.   He and the boys went back after lunch and he climbed 2 more  rock faces.
Justin did a total of 6 climbs
Cody did a total of 4 climbs

The Campsite was really cool tucked into the bottom of all the rock faces .   It was very relaxing and all that camp should be.  We had perfect weather.
This is a common camp scene, Justin playing us a tune, Cody doing some bird watching, and Buck cooking us dinner.
I must say I have a great husband wh does all of the work while we camp.  I really do love him.