While minding my own business on NTC staff at Glacier Bible Camp this last summer, Joe Knudsen asked if I'd be interested in helping with Junior Leadership Training Camp, which would be held at Ranger Mountain prior to Pow Wow. Joe said, "It should be fun, and the pay is good." ...being overly enthusiastic and competing for "Commander of the Universe" ...of course I said "yes" ....A few weeks later a parcel arrived from Joe that weighed 20lbs or less. Inside was the schedule...NO sleep again....just part of the adventure, I guess.
I was Sanitation Officer so I got the privilege of making sure nobody got sick from poorly prepared food (is there any other kind at Ranger Mtn.?) and gave a brief talk about camp hygiene, which included showering and proper outhouse usage, and "Wash those hands boys! Brush those teeth!" ...I am sure I sounded like "Commander Mom."
My Advisory position with the Fabulous Flying Fox patrol was interesting; having been a St. Arrow and Buckaroo commander in the past, it was amazing to see four Ranger boys that could actually do some things for themselves...pretty sharp fellows...handled those camp tools well and could cook! I didn't lose any weight, but meat and grease three times per day plugged the 'ol commander up. Drinking soap didn't work...no one had prunes...thank goodness for the cell phone...Emergency shipment from Billings of Ex-lax, the campers friend! Hey...it works! Now it's the first item in my first aid kit.
Shooting day included black powder and .22s. The boys enjoyed the experience. Most were good shots. The black powder training included a true Mountain Man Fusil Du Chasse (gun for hunting), which is a French smooth bore in .62 cal. flintlock. The other muzzleloader was a percussion cap rifle. The owner of this rifle (initials Watchman) tried to convince the boys the percussion cap was the way to go, but I brought out,... if God would have intended fine guns to be ignited with caps, they would be scattered around for man to find instead of flint!...enough said.
Being part of the council fire was an honor. The more experienced FCF guys and Senior Guide, who will remain nameless, but has the initials Watchman again...made sure I volunteered to start the fire with flint and steel (12 oz. of Coleman fuel works well, IF you can stand 3/4 of a mile back, and still strike the steel...running does NOT work...flame velocity greatly exceeds running velocity, and nobody likes that singed look to their buckskins and capote.) I was also volunteered for "The Old Man of the Mountain" role, even though I am the youngest FCF member. It was nice leading the boys down the trail with a torch and calling out the Ranger Code (it is hard to read them written in the palm of your hand by torch light...really have to memorize them some day!).
The skits were put on by various members of the crew. My most lasting memory was being totally and thoroughly upstaged by one Watchman. Whatever happened to doing it like rehearsed??? What a blast! NOW, I know how he got the name....when on stage, all the rest of us can do is WATCH the MAN! A great time was spent praying for the boys after the council fire for any problems that they had or faced. I was amazed at how even squared away boys need our prayers, and of course this is what the Ranger program is all about...reaching those boys with Christ and keeping them.
The JLTC teaches them leadership and increases their outdoor skills, and is well worth the effort and time that we spent with them. Joe and all the rest of the staff did a great job, and all involved enjoyed it.
Respectfully submitted,
In His service,
Long Neck
