Camp Joy, in Carlyle, Illinois, was my first full-time job, when I was sixteen in the summer of 1960, not counting previous newspaper routes. My Air Force father was stationed at nearby Scott AFB.
At Camp Joy, I taught the compass course and canoeing and ended the summer managing the camp store, selling soda, candy and craft kits.
It was my last hurrah as a Boy Scout, during which I enjoyed camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and in New Hampshire, and rose to Star rank. At CJ, I was finally inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a service organization, in a cool torch-light ceremony.
Mr. B. is a newbie Tenderfoot who likes the camping but otherwise seems to prefer video games. Pity. I hope his attitude changes. Scout all you can!
















“I hope his attitude changes.” But you know that your hope is in vain. These days video games, computers and iThings win easily.
You’re so encouraging. I’ll keep hoping. He has this tee-shirt (I can’t remember the exact words) that says something to the effect that scouting is outdoors, as opposed to sitting in front of a computer.