Camp Rockmount Rocks!

Last weekend many members of the Leaning Teepees travelled a few hours to the mountains of North Carolina - to Black Mountain and the home of Camp Rockmount, our spring Longhouse location. Upon first sight, we knew we made a great choice in choosing this camp. Nestled high in the mountains, the views were great, and the activities were abundant. Unlike our fall Longhouse, each dad/brave were able to choose what activity they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it. Options included Archery, Riflery, Zip Lining, a Water Slide, Rock Wall climbing, Canoeing, Horseback Riding, and a few others. Our accommodations were less rustic than before, and we were praying for the weather to hold off and provide us with a great day on Saturday.

Everyone made the journey up on Friday night, which allowed us to scout out locations for Saturday, and eat some snacks in the dining hall with other early arrivals. We were fortunate that our cabin was only a few minute walk to the dining hall, and many of the activities. So a good nights sleep was in order...ha! Kids can sleep anywhere...dad's on the other hand....don't do well in bunks!

Nonetheless, Saturday turned out to be all we could hope for - a bright sun, warm weather, and the opportunity to take on new adventures - most notably, zip-lining from high up in the trees, a few hundred feet down into the lake that looked quite peaceful. Peaceful and COLD! What a wake up call, but well worth the trip. Besides that activity, cans were knocked over with BB rifles, arrows came close to bulls-eyes, and dads and braves spent more awesome quality time together.

The Leaning Teepees were honored for reaching Golden Light status for the year, meaning we participated in enough activities as a tribe to earn over 2000 points. Quite an accomplishment for a new tribe! We were all looking forward to the cherished Firewalk on Saturday night, but the rain gods did not want to cooperate, taking the activity indoors. We made the best of the situation and were proud to have earned our first year eagle feather. We also saw what lies ahead if we continue to do well as a tribe, as the 2nd - 5th year braves also were recognized for reaching special milestones.

We are planning on continuing our journey this summer with additional Federation activities, as we start anew in earning points and making memories. All the dads will now assume new roles with the tribe, so this will be my last blog entry as the Legend Keeper for the Leaning Teepees. Our first year was quite special, and it can only get better from here!

A Pre-Mother's Day Creation

Our last official monthly meeting took place the week before Mother's Day at the home of hosts - The Fox's - Papa, Sly, Cunning and Red. We had great weather and everyone was in a cheerful mood. This meeting also provided the last "official" chance for braves to earn first year feathers. A few of the braves were able to recite each of the tribe members names, and we continued to practice reciting our YGuides Aims. They seems to be second nature now, after working so hard throughout the year to learn them.

Our craft project was right in line with the them of the month - Mother's Day. Waiting for us was a large tub of soil, pre-labeled clay pots for each of the braves, and an assortment of colorful flowers to plant. All we had to do now was get the braves off of the playground and treehouse equipment that seems to comes standard in the yards of most 6 - 8 year-olds, and put them to work - in the dirt! Nobody should mistake the speed at which young boys are able to plant flowers, with the actual love that went into the task. If you blinked, you might have missed the task itself. Never fear though - Papa Fox was quick to the task of making certain that the newly planted flowers had lots of water, before sending us on our way.

And while I am certain that all the braves went home and proudly presented their newest creation to their mom's, I happened to have the camera with me to capture the special moment.

Happy Mothers Day! Thanks for providing us with these special little "creations" to help us make lasting memories!

Just two more weeks until Camp Rockmount!

Better Late Than Never

This post is quite late, but not because we haven't been busy with our tribe or the braves. In April, our monthly tribal meeting took us to the Bear Den, home of Running Bear and Sitting Bear. Due to other commitments because of spring break, we had a sparse group. That however, did not stop the braves from arriving early for some time on the Wii and a feeble attempt at Guitar Hero. They sure looked good with the guitar, but pictures can be deceiving.

A few braves were able to earn more feathers, and close in on their year one requirements (I just can't remember who did what!). After conducting tribe business, we went ahead and did our craft project - creating a rain stick using some basic materials as paper towel cardboard centers, glue, tape, beans and some tinfoil to create springs for the inside of the rain sticks. The braves time with the dad's was brief on this project, seems like the dad's did most of the owrk, as the braves quickly adjourned back to the Wii.

Maverick, Goose and the Leaning Teepees

Our tribe field trip today was to the Carolinas Aviation Museum. While the weather was cold and wet for this primarily outdoor tour, the braves were quite excited to see all kinds of vintage aircraft, which included helicoptors ("Cobras", "Huey's", and "Sikorsky's"), jet fighters ("Tomcat's and "Harrier's"), a commercial plane, and even a midget racer. Our tour guide, volunteer Marsha Hanna, provided the Leaning Teepees with a great narrative history of aviation, beginning with a quiz about "not the Wrong brothers", but the Wright brothers, and how they were able to get a plane off the ground by following some of the principles they learned while building bicycles.

The Aviation Museum has been around for many years, and relies on volunteers and donations to operate. It was located so close the one of the runways at Charlotte-Douglas Airport, that we were able to see a variety of planes take off and literally "disappear" within a matter of seconds, thanks to low cloud cover.

Marsha shared with us valuable information such as how airplanes measure speed, with a probe located at the front of all planes; we saw a plane similar to the type that Senator John McCain was in when he was shot down over Vietnam, and even got to learn about how pilots climb up specially hidden stairs to get into a Tomcat fighter - which can go up to 1544 miles per hour!

Of course, the braves didn't just want to look at planes - they wanted to be a hands on group and go inside of them, and play with the buttons. That request was fulfilled when everyone was able to board the cockpit portion of a large cargo plane, and take turns pretending to be the pilot, co-pilot, engineer, and navigator. Additionally, the tribe was able to board a DC-3 plane that is still in operation today, while it was in for yearly maintenance. Quite a different flying experience from today's commercial planes, as this plane was first put into service in the 1940s and is now primarily used in airshows. A visit inside the plane show about 20 seats, with enough legroom that you would have thought it was used on International routes.

And, the braves were able to climb into a mini-simulator to pretend they were flying a jet fighter. In all, it was both and educational and hands-on experience for the Leaning Teepees. As an added bonus, Papa Fox brought each tribe member a patch from Crowders Mountain, in recognition of our climb to the top a few months ago, to add to our collection and put on our vests.

Thank you foe flying Aviation Air. Bye-bye now!

Can We Go Upstairs and put our Dream Catchers in Robert's Room?

The Leaning Teepees gathered at the home of Curious Moon and Restless Star for our monthly meeting. It was planned to be a glorious day, where the dad's could have a planning meeting prior to our regular tribe meeting, and the braves could play outside. Oh, the best laid plans! Instead, the winter weather didn't cooperate with heavy rain all weekend and temperatures in the low 30s. The winter snow storm would hit only about an hour after our meeting end, thus canceling school on Monday. So rather than being outside, the braves did what braves do indoors - made a lot of noise and ran around the house, while the dad's discussed business over the ruckus.


This meeting took the Leaning Teepees over the point level needed to be recognized as an Honor Tribe at the spring Longhouse. We are closing in on the next level necessary for recognition, and need to do a few key events before May to make it a reality. This monthly meeting was especially good, as many braves came ready to earn feathers. Curious Moon earned two feathers by being able to recite everyone Indian Names, AND reciting the 6 YGuide Aims. Likewise, Sly Fox, Cunning Fox and Running Bear also recited everyone names. Little Panther brought three crafts he had made to present to the tribe to earn a feather, and Little Falcon finished off his remaining two craft projects to earn his feather. In all, there was a little of How-How's to go around the room! Well done braves!!!













Our craft project for the month was to create Dream Catchers for our bedrooms. After Cunning Fox and Sly Fox took turns explaining what a Dream Catcher was, off we went in pairs to weave our web, insert beads and feathers along the way in finalizing this authentic Indian craft. While there was confusion along the way, this was a great project for teamwork, and Restless Star has already made a sample for us to use as a guide along the way. Some finished early and even found time for a Thumb War!


Snacks of Oreos and chips capped off a productive meeting and got everyone out of the house before the ruckus began anew! Off we went in the wickedly wet weather to prepare for the snow day ahead!

Gentleman, Start Your Engines!!!

Race faces - the men have been hard at work in the engine shops. Additional body work was done, and last minute adjustments on overall weight, balance and lubrication to make sure that the cars would pass the watchful eyes of the YGuides 500 inspectors. And so, we were ready for the flag to drop!

Not so fast. While car check in was from 11:00 - 12:00 on this race day, for some reason there were may last minute interruptions that had us waiting an additional 45 minutes. After that, the races moved fairly quickly on two sets of tracks, where 3 cars raced against each other in a series of 3 heats.

The cars came in all shapes and sizes, and the dad's and braves anxiously lined up along side the race track to see if their efforts would be victorious. Representing the Leaning Teepees were Running Bear and Sitting Bear, Little Panther and Big Panther, Rumbling Thunder and Lightning Streak, and Little Falcon and Big Falcon.

Great news for all, was the ribbons would be awarded for each race, for all finishers, regardless of where they placed. Everyone would walk away a winner. However, he top 6 cars from each track, based on overall times from the 3 individual races, would proceed on to the finals for a chance to win a coveted YGuides 500 trophy.

In the end, Little Falcon won 2 heats, and took second in his other race. Rumbling Thunder and Running Bear had one 1st and two 2nds. And Little Panther walked away with three 2nds! While we were good, it was quite apparent who the rookie racers were - just like in NASCAR. Our cars were good, but not great...but the experience was worth every ounce of energy put into the car building effort...and the cars themselves (just as long as they weren't over 5 ounces)!

You Don't Want Me to Eat That Peanut Butter?

Our February meeting took us to the home of Big Falcon and Little Falcon. This meeting signified our 5th tribal monthly gathering, which means that all members became eligible for a new bear claw to add to their Indian Guide nametag.

It was clear that many of the braves have been working towards earning more of their first year feathers, as there were a number of them who were able to recite everyones's Indian and real names, as well as recite the 6 YGuide aims. Congratulations go out this month to Whispering Frog, Running Bear, Rumbling Thunder and Surfing Tiger for their efforts. Little Falcon even showed off one of the crafts he had made - a pair of mocassins he was proudly wearing on his feet!

Our craft project this month was making a bird feeder. The pine cones used as the starting point for the project were delivered to each member as a part of the meeting invitation. After smearing peanut butter all over the pine cones (guess Big/Little Falcon didn't want to eat it straight from the jar!), the braves either rolled their pine cones in bird seed, or used their hands to sprinkle the bird seed onto the stickly peanut butter.

The project wrapped up early, which allowed the dads to enjoy the brownies while the braves were able to run around the backyard and work off some excess energy.

Sorry - No photos are available from this meeting - forgot to bring the camera.

We Need A 5 Man Pit Crew

Attention Race Fans - the Yguides 500 is only 3 weeks away, which means that dad's and braves are hard at work prepping their race cars for maximum performance. With that statement, it sounds like the Leaning Teepees really know what they are doing, but the reality as that this first time group of racers may quickly "lose the draft" of the other vehicles.

We descended upon Camp Thunderbird on Sunday, Feb 1st to test our newly build cars on the race track, weigh them to ensure they met specifications, and do last minute repairs. While other dad's and braves were lubricating the wheels, we were still shaping and sanding our cars. All the while the little Leaning Teepee braves were watching cars race over and over on the test track.

It was a great outing to discuss car building tips, and size up the competition. They better lookout, because the flag drops on February 21st!

A Hunting We Will Go...

We came together at the home of Whispering Frog and Screaming Toad for our monthly meeting after being guided there by creative invitations - in the form of a real arrow. Our traditional meeting agenda was mixed around to take advantage of daylight hours and get the dads and braves outside for a scavenger hunt. However, before that could happen, some braves were guide eager to earn additional first year feathers!

Little Falcon led things off by being the first of the Leaning Teepees to recite the 6 Aims of YGuides. It was quite obvious a lot of practice was put into preparing for this moment, as he quickly rattled them off - in order. Big Falcon had to follow suit - and after slight hesitation (surely something that is a function of age, rather than ability) - delivered the aims as well. Next up was Rumbling Thunder, who earned a feather by reciting all of tribe members Indian and real names. Not to be outdone, Little Panther was equally up to the task...and red feathers were rewarded! In the sake time, respective dads Lightning Streak and Big Panther were given a break in reciting the names as well (but all were confident they knew them...we think...).

Next up, the scavenger hunt. Tribe members were split into four teams, each of which needed to create a puzzle before they could read a clue that would direct them to their next destination. And the hunt was on! Braves scrambled to put the puzzle pieces together, then raced around the yard in search of the next clue. Awaiting them at each stop - a bag of goodies, and a note to decipher. The activity provided a good outlet for excess energy, and a chance to put on our detective hats.

In the end, everyone gathered around an open fire pit, where we were able to roast marshmellows and enjoy the great taste of smores! Additional tribe business was conducted at this time, which include the earning of another feather - this time a teal one. Rumbling Thunder had worked on 3 tribe crafts over the holiday break with his dad, and presented them to the group. They include a wooden box - painted with the Leaning Teepee name - which is meant to hold the beads and bearclaws which are presented each meeting. This was given to Surfing Tiger and Running Tiger (our Tally Keeper), a Talking Stick to be used at future meetings, and leather luggage tag which was stitched together (which Rumbling Thunder is keeping for himself).

Last, but not least - our meeting provided an opportunity to wish a Happy 6th Birthday to Curious Moon, as well as a Happy "???" Birthday to Big Falcon -whose birthday was the following day.

Next up, a Federation Event on Friday, January 16th. The tribe will be heading to a minor league hockey game to watch the Charlotte Checkers play - an earn another patch!