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My title is a throwback to "Ernest Goes To Camp" – anyone remember that hideous movie from our childhood? 🙂

When I was in 5th grade I was nominated to attend a YMCA Leadership Camp held at Possom Kingdom Lake.  It was quite an honor, but I was NOT having it.  I cried and begged my mom to not make me go.  She put me on the bus anyway (and worried about me all week long, she says).  It turned out to be one of the highlight's of childhood – such a great experience!  And such a confidence building time for me.  I have great memories of that camp…meeting a red-headed girl named Casey who became a fast friend, making friendship lanyards, flashing our lights at the boys across the lake at night, sleeping in an open-air cabin, leadership seminars, skit night, etc. 

So I was especially tickled when Jacob was nominated for a similar (but completely different) Leadership Academy through Education in Action.  He did not seem to have the same trepidation that I did…although I did get 3 BIG hugs when we said goodbye – but I also got a huge smile and a happy wave.  His buddy, Will, from down the street was also going, so we carpooled out to Keller to drop the boys off at EIA's offices/dorms.  They waved at us from the bus window until they were out of sight – so sweet!

They broke them up into small "Leadership Groups" and had break-out sessions each day with those groups…including their assigned faculty member who is a teacher from somewhere in TX (Paul was the name of Jacob's leader).  Here's a breakdown of the places he got to visit:

Monday – Summit Rock Climbing, Cowboys Stadium, Place of Wax Museum

Tuesday – Ft Worth Stockyards, Amon Carter Art Museum, Cowgirl Museum

Wednesday – JFK 6th Floor Museum, Dallas Museum of Nature and Science, IMAX and Electric Theater

Thursday – TX Civil War Museum, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Ft Worth Botanical Gardens

Friday – Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (ending at 1 pm)

I was so tickled to get a letter from him yesterday (he's not able to call us!).  He sounded so good!  And they post pictures from the day each night on their website.  Derek teases me because I get anxious if they are one minute late with those pictures (around 9 pm) – I'm so eager to see his cute face each night before bed.

What a neat experience for him to have!  I am so proud of the young man that he is – and spending a week without being able to communicate with him has just reiterated to me my affection for this boy of mine.

ETA:  We went to pick-up Jacob on Friday afternoon at Rangers stadium.  He greeted us with eager hugs and tired eyes.  But he also said "it was the best!" and "I could have stayed another week!".  He LOVED every minute of this camp and made tons of friends.  I was especially pleased to see pictures of him with girls because that species is not usually high on his chart of people he ranks as "cool".  I guess "cool" girls were at this camp and he enjoyed it.  He's already asking to go back next year.