Father and Son (Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration Campout)

Every year on May 15th, or a weekend there close to, fathers and sons go camping in commemoration of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. This was a great tradition growing up, going with my dad and brothers to the Trask River to campout. The memories usually consist of the failures that occurred. Like trying to set up that huge green tent with the poles on the outside, that you have to try to match the different shapes and sizes, or else the time where it poured down rain (in oregon this may have happened more than once). But I also remember the good times, floating down the river on the inflatable yellow raft (which my dad used as a bed the night before), hiking and exploring, crabbing the next day in netarts bay, golfing at bay breeze par 3 golf course, and of course, the obligatory trip to Tillamook Cheese Factory for free samples of cheese, a scoop of tillamook ice cream, and some squeaky cheese for the ride home.

Now it is time to forge those some memories for my kids. So here is attempt 2010...

This year the whole stake camped together in Harmony, PA. This was really an amazing experience, since it was near Harmony that John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to restore the Aaronic Priesthood. Since Spencer was a week old, we figured we would give him a pass this year, so McKay, Matthew, and me braved the elements.

The Corning ward was in charge of the bonfire, and they magnified this calling. The wood was stacked over 6 feet high and the flames rose to over 25 feet in the air. McKay loved this, and continually asked to be allowed to throw something into it.

Sleeping was interesting, Matthew, suprisingly,went to sleep quickly, but McKay wanted to go out and play with the big kids. I can't say much sleep was had that night, but i consider it a huge success. (On the last father and son, McKay's first words to me on saturday were, "Dad I had an accident." Unfortunately we were sharing a sleeping bag). So yeah, this year was a success.

In the morning we played some wiffleball (when i say we i say Matthew and me, since McKay does not like sports). Matthew was really getting into fielding, and wanted me to show him how to field a gound ball. Happy to oblige.

McKay was more interested in hanging out with the big kids, who incidentally enough found a frog. And with every frog McKay finds, he has to kiss just to see if it is a princess (I am not sure that is how the story goes).

Matthew had a great time, he had so much fun.

We went to visit the monumet dedicated to the Aaronic Priesthood restoration, this picture shows a typical dad: young one in backpack so he is immobilized, older one being restrained so that pciture can be taken, and dad smiling thinking, this is what memories are all about.

McKay enjoyed going through the graveyard, and we found the tomb for a son of Joseph and Emma Smith (the original head stone is on the other side).