A Time to Be Thankful!!

Halloween is behind us and Christmas is coming.  I’ve already seen Christmas ads all over television, but before Christmas, there’s Thanksgiving.  Sadly to some, Thanksgiving has been downgraded from a special day dedicated for giving thanks to simply the day before Black Friday.  I’ve always loved Thanksgiving.  For me, it was about the 3 F’s :  Family, Food and Football!  To most, it is a time to truly reflect and give thanks.

Sometimes the expression “giving thanks” becomes a worn out cliché. There have been times in my life when I gave a cursory thought to giving thanks before devouring the fabulous feast set before me.  This year is different.  My perspective on how much I have to be thankful for was crystallized on October 30th.  On that day I participated in an outreach program called “Church Under the Bridge.”  I have been participating in this program for several years and am part of a wonderful group of people who go to a location under I-35 and 7th Street in Austin to serve coffee and a meal to our homeless population.  I’m always humbled by this experience.

On this particular occasion I met two men I’ll always remember.  One man came through the coffee line right after we began serving.  His nose and lips were puffy and one eye was nearly swollen shut.  He went through the line several times and each time he was telling an acquaintance about the night before.  I heard enough to piece together what happened.  Watching this man walk away, cradling a cup of coffee with both of his shaking hands broke my heart.  Everything he had, he’d lost the night before.

Another man came through the line.  He had an open face, bright eyes and a genuine smile.  I asked him how things were going.  He couldn’t wait to tell me how great things were.  He was able to work two days that week.  He earned enough money to buy a sleeping bag.  The sleeping bag was slung over his shoulder.  He was pretty sure he would be working the next day.  That was enough for him to be excited about tomorrow.

Now, hearing these two men's stories, you might be proud of the second man most for his perspective on life.  However, for me, both these men give me a deeper perspective on all I have to be thankful for.  Family, friends, food and Camp Doublecreek.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue sharing the strong family values with all of our awesome campers that Uncle Carter and Aunt Trudy created many years ago.

Join me in giving deep thanks this Thanksgiving holiday!

--Joe Ray

I Love Halloween!

I love Halloween – always have!!  I really like the candy – all kinds of candy!  The only difference between now and when I was a kid, is the hard candy.  My teeth can’t handle jaw breakers anymore.  Oh, the trials of old age.

When I was young, I couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating.  For me, trick-or-treating was all about the candy, with almost no thought to the costume.  I didn’t view the costume as an expression of myself – the costume was simply a license to get candy.  Have you seen children show up at your door wearing a cheap mask and holding out a pillow case?  Well, that was me.

Of course that attitude doesn’t fly with most children.  At school when children discuss Halloween, they’re not talking Butterfingers or lollipops; they’re talking about the costumes they will be wearing.  As I've gotten older, my attitude towards costumes has evolved.  In fact, after Susan I were married, we always managed to come home with some hardware from costume parties.  One year, we went as Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood.  The next year, Susan went as an elegant Victorian lady and I went as the Elephantman. Luckily for posterity, no photos survived.

Halloween is a time of superstition, which and be traced back to Celtic times when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts.  The word “Halloween” dates from about 1745.  It comes from a Scottish term which means “All Hallows’ Eve.”  I generally don’t dwell on the deeper meaning of Halloween.  I simply enjoy it.  I watch old horror movies for the tenth time and buy lots of candy to hand out to all the cute ghosts, pirates, princesses, monsters, and superheroes that come to our door.

Halloween is a transitional holiday between Fall and Winter.  Halloween comes after the leaves turn and we get relief from the heat, but before trees go bare and a hard winter sets in.  Of course, here in central Texas, sometimes we don’t have dramatic season changes. But Halloween helps us to prepare for winter and the upcoming holiday seasons with new camp experiences around the corner.

Oh, by the way, if any Doublecreek campers come to my door, don’t be disappointed if I don’t recognize you.  Remember, you’re in costume!

-- Joe Ray

Why We Love Horseback Riding!

Horseback riding has always been an important part of Camp Doublecreek. When Uncle Carter and Aunt Trudy were creating the concept of Camp Doublecreek, the first activities they put in place were horseback riding and swimming. The initial design of the facilities had to include an arena, tack room and a pool. I love to think back about the first horses we purchased for camp, the riders the first years and how much fun we had! My desire to teach riding and work with horses stemmed from how much I enjoyed it. I wanted as many people as possible to experience that joy, too.  Out of that passion, the Doublecreek riding program was birthed. 

Now, 46 years later, my passion for teaching horseback riding at camp has a much broader base. Riders learn important life skills from their time on the horse. They learn natural cause and effect, focusing on the task at hand, patience, confidence, self-control as well as balance, coordination and body awareness. As a Physical Therapist and a Therapeutic Riding Instructor, I could go on and on about the benefits, but let’s just say ‘riding is good for you’. And the best thing is, it’s FUN!!!  

Doublecreek is fortunate to have a fantastic summer camp riding crew, headed by Rachel, teaching campers the basics of a balanced seat.  Then, Jan and her crew develop these basics into a higher level of riding during our offseason program.  We are very proud that horseback has always been a strong part of our DNA, and will continue to play a key role in developing your campers.

Jane Neal

Owner & Founder of Doublecreek Riding Program 

Thanks for the Memories!

Friday was a sad day!  I was sad for two reasons.  (1). It was the final day of camp and (2). I was not at Doublecreek.  I had teacher in-service for most of the week.  In-service was tough, especially since I was still in Doublecreek mode.  I kept referencing back to my Doublecreek schedule.  While most teachers were filtering in and catching up on what they did over the summer, I was thinking I should be leading the pledge and singing “You’re a Grand Ole’ Flag.”

Thankfully, I’ll transition from Doublecreek mode to school mode quickly.  I’m grateful that I work at a school with a terrific staff and supportive administrators.  I enjoy my position and find it rewarding.  I’m often asked how I can work with children all year long.  Hey, I’ve got the weekends!  I’m a lucky man – my job doesn’t feel like a job.

I wish I could have been at Doublecreek for all of Final Fling Week.  The staff does a fabulous job of having a week that’s different and fun without having things go off the rails.

I’ve had a terrific summer!  I have to thank our owners, Judy Kirtley and Jane Neal, for continuing the legacy of Uncle Carter and Aunt Trudy!  I truly appreciate Dan Neal for his energetic, visionary leadership!  Doublecreek would not be Doublecreek without our incredible staff.  Finally, I have to thank our parents for trusting us with your children this summer.

So, 2017 is now a memory.  I can’t wait for 2018 to create new memories!

-Joe Ray

See our "Goodbye" video:  https://vimeo.com/230216394

Only at Doublecreek!

This week was the world famous (especially in Round Rock, TX) DC Challenge!  What’s the DC Challenge, you ask?  I’m glad you asked!  DC stands for Doublecreek (big surprise) and Challenge actually should read “Challenges.”  All groups were involved in the challenges.  We had everything from eating a donut to rolling a bale of hay!

This whole week was the brainchild of Director Dan.  The tasks are age-appropriate and everybody took part in some fashion.  The course started with scooterboard races; then transporting water from one bucket to another using sponges to squeeze out the water.  From there, the groups went to the water balloon station (I know you’re shocked that somehow we worked in water balloons).  At this station, campers used a special balloon launcher to propel the water balloon and the teams had to catch the water balloons in a bucket.  It didn’t matter if the water balloons landed in the buckets or out.  By the way, catching a water balloon in a bucket isn’t as easy as it sounds!

Next, campers tossed a hula hoop over a huge tree stump.  From there, campers went to the pool to swim and then on to the ropes course.  One of the stations was Soccer Darts – that’s right, soccer darts.  At Soccer Darts, campers kick a soccer ball with Velcro attached to a giant inflatable dart board.  Next, campers went to the shuffleboard court, then crossed the log on the low-ropes course.

Our most unique station involved eating a donut while balancing on a low cable.  Of course, the lucky camper eating the donut had lots of help from their friends.

The next station (for only 4th graders and younger) was the tire-rolling feat; while the fifth graders and above rolled a hay bale (a big round bale).  Next, the teams had to form the letters ”DC” on the platform we use at the end of the zipline.  Most groups’ “DC” looked more like “DO,” but that was close enough!

Archery was followed by the semi-grand finale – the mud pit!  Campers crawled through the mud pit, then climbed over a mountain of gymnastic mats covered in baby oil, and then dove under a pole that represented the finish line.  Finally, campers sprinted through the water mister.

When all campers were through the mist, the challenge was complete.

Determining the teams’ final time was complicated.  Time could be deducted for tasks completed during the course.  The details for this phase are complicated, but the final score isn’t important.  Teamwork is the aim of this challenge.  The beauty of the DC Challenge is that everyone does something.  I don’t know if the winners got a reward.  However, I got a reward from all this, seeing campers covered in mud, shouting, laughing and best of all – cheering the last members of their group when they finished!  At the finish there were high-fives all around and their score was an afterthought.

 Joe Ray

Here is the link to this week's video:  https://vimeo.com/229272108

Doublecreek Star Power!

The excitement was building!  The tension was unbearable!  Friday was the day!  The day for what, you ask?  It’s the day we crowned the 2017 Mr. and Mrs. Doublecreek.  This week, five couples put their hearts and souls into this amazing competition and in the end, Atiyeh and Tiffany were crowned our winners.

How long have we had Mr. and Mrs. Doublecreek?  This competition started in the late 1990’s.  I don’t remember the year, but I remember the talent show on the final day of the competition.  There were two pairs of contestants ahead of the other pairs of contestants.  Of course, they were the final two acts on Friday.  The next to last pair did a very elegant song and dance to “My Heart Will Go On” from the movie "Titanic"!  The next pair were two of our male counselors who called themselves Hans and Gretel.  They spent the week posing and lifting anything and anyone. For their final talent, they put on a wrestling contest.  It was beautiful (or as beautiful as a wrestling match could be.)  They smashed chairs over each other’s heads, dove off tables, and for the grand finale, they fell from a ladder onto every mat we had at camp!  When it came time to decide the winner, we let Joe Ray’s magic hat decide -- which is our way of letting the crowd (mob) decide.  Of course, Hans and Gretel blew away the cultured portion of the program.  Oh, well, Hans and Gretel knew what the crowd liked!

Our Mr. and Mrs. Doublecreek shows have followed the same formula year in and year out!  Each day brings a different category.  Some years, it’s evening wear, swimwear, some type of relay and always a talent show.  This year we had a “Guess What Your Partner Would Say” game, a relay that was too complicated to describe, a dance contest, and finally, today’s talent show.  All years are entertaining and this year was no exception.  No one takes this very seriously, so there are really no losers.  We had terrific acts.  Will they burn in my memory like Hans and Gretel?  Well, there was only one Hans and Gretel – which is a good thing!  We were running out of tables!

I would be remiss not to mention Mr. and Mrs. Doublecreek was started by our previous director, Scott Kirtley.  Scott instituted many innovations at Doublecreek.  He introduced  mini-golf, gun safety, the rock wall, ropes challenge course and paintball...in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Doublecreek.  It was ten years ago on August 2, 2007, that Scott left us.  Ten years later, we still remember Scott and we are grateful for everything he meant to Doublecreek!


--Joe Ray

Here's the link to this week's video: https://vimeo.com/228362671

A Pirate's Life for Me!

I love Pirate Week, and I suppose it’s because I’ve always had an affinity for pirates.  They’re cool.  If you can pull off wearing an eye patch and have a parrot on your shoulder, while speaking like you have gravel in your mouth, you must be high on the cool scale!

The subject of some of my favorite books and movies when I was in elementary school (yes, that was over fifty years ago) involved pirates.  I read Treasure Island so many times the book fell apart.  In my world, Wallace Beery is still the quintessential Long John Silver.  I know from reading countless books and articles, and from watching documentaries, that the pop culture view of pirates doesn’t match the genuine pirate.  But, that doesn’t matter at Doublecreek.  We’re not shy about taking liberties with reality.

This week at Sing-Song, we had pirates.  Now, the only reason you would know they were pirates was because the narrator told you they were pirates.  We had some characters wearing the traditional black tri-cornered hat with the skull and crossbones on the front.  However, we didn’t have enough to go around.  Some characters wore pitch helmets, top hats and a wig.  We didn’t have a parrot, so a counselor dressed up like one.  I would try to describe our human parrot, but any description I would come up with would not do the sight justice.

I have to point out, that I learned something this week.  Using a formula that seems somewhat dubious, I learned that my pirate name would be “Sticky Slappy Smuggler.”  While that’s not a great name, it’s certainly better than Fishy Creepy Ratbreath.  The name I like the most, is Cesar Von Dark Water.  Now, to have that name, I would need to have a first name starting with the letter “X,” ends with the letter “R” and a last name that starts with the letter “U.”  Can you figure out the code for finding out your pirate name? [To see what your pirate name would be, just scan on down this newsletter to see the code.]

What’s not hard to figure out, is how to have fun with the pirate theme.  We’ve spent the week looking for fake treasure, wearing fake costumes, and telling fake pirate stories.  One thing we don’t have to fake at Doublecreek, is having a good time!

We have as much fun as the irate you find in books by Robert Luis Stevenson, except you don’t have to sail the Seven Seas looking for treasure.  We find our treasure just off Doublecreek Drive!

-Joe Ray

To view our video from Pirates Week, go to the following link:  https://vimeo.com/227411889