July 2011
26 posts
Camp’s over.
Balloon Man
The balloon man is a regular customer at Starbucks, near Harrisburg, PA.
This photo blows, I realize that. Today was a day for stepping back. I’m tired of how arrogant and pretentious I can be. I’m not completely sure what direction to go because I’ve wandered. I’m tired, but loaded with caffeine. I want to see with new eyes, to think with a different mind. I can never...
Another day on the job
Josh, Snake Jake, and Derek try to trouble shoot the grasshopper after it wouldn’t start. After quitting for dinner, Snake Jake managed to get it running and drove it to dinner. All it took was some pushing on fuses, wiring, and adding oil to get it running again, and maybe some cooldown time.
17 tags
Greased Watermelon
Tonight was the last water carnival. Caption info pending. I’ve been posting photos on here that sometimes don’t reflect the best moments, or are the most interesting. I pick them based on something that sticks out from the shooting. Greased Watermelon is something I enjoy shooting at camp, even though it puts my equipment at pretty great risk. It’s the last week of camp, and I...
9 tags
Santa Claus
Camp Director Mark Vaughan converses with Santa Claus in the Administration Building before beginning his tour of the camp this morning, July 25, 2011.
14 tags
They call it God light, but sometimes it’s hard to see.
11 year old Scout, Patrick Q. of Troop 23, Harrisburg, PA, rolls the troop flag after the closing parade of colors, Friday night, July 22, 2011. Patrick’s favorite part of camp was the shooting sports during the Dan Beard program.
Let fly
Joe Kurtz, an 18 year-old Eagle Scout from Troop 283, Mechanicsburg, PA, lets fly a Jumbo marshmallow in the administration building, Thursday night, July 21, 2011. After a long week four, staff members are looking for a way to release and keep energy high with daytime temperatures above 100˚. “It’s been the hardest week so far, mainly because of the elements,” says Joe, a...
Slideshow photos
Scouts listen to ‘Tiny’ during Space Exploration Merit Badge as he talks about engines, thrust, and class in the Handicraft-Arts Lodge at HVSR
One of the jobs I have at camp, by nature of being a photographer, is shooting for the camp slideshow, which is then put onto DVD’s and sold for $10 in the trading post. It’s not part of my contract, and the unrestricted use of...
Punk, don't look at my camera!
I guess this photo would have been better…
Chris H, a 15 year old Life Scout from Troop 77, Harrisburg, PA, pulls the greased watermelon towards the goal during Tuesday night’s Water Carnival, July 19, 2011.
Scouts fight over a greased watermelon during the HVSR Water Carnival, Tuesday, July 19, 2011.
I’m getting ready for the next adventure. I shorted my camera out...
11 tags
Taking liberties
Scouts swim 100 yards and float on their backs during the BSA Swim Test at HVSR. Scouts are grouped by ability into non-swimmer, beginner, and swimmer categories, which determines the extent of the activities they can do in the pool and at the boat docks. 7/17/2011
Fellow staff members relax at the drive in on their day off while waiting for Harry Potter DH2. 7/16/2011
The weekend was...
First time
Scout Caleb G, 12, of Troop 51, hands his ticket up for four rounds of 20 gauge shotgun ammunition, to shoot for his first time ever. “I thought I’d be blown backward off the stand, but it kicked less,” says Caleb.
I was busy yesterday and forgot about posting for the first time, so I am doubling up today-one photo now and probably one after the drive-in.
Missing moments
I’ve been swamped with work- removing a temporary post and beam set-up in the shop rafters, teaching Fly-fishing Merit Badge, taking photos for the slideshow, leading trail runs at 6:45am, delivering cooking supplies. When I do shoot, it feels rushed and cursory. Usually it’s Thursday of the week, meaning I miss the cool things like boat swamping, reptile and amphibian handling, and...
An honor guard from Troop 430, Prince Frederic, MD, retires the colors at HVSR, July 13th, 2011.
Week 3
An assistant scoutmaster in Susquehannock texts on his phone during site visitations.
Maybe I was just annoyed at taking two hours to go through four campsites with Jack (my fault for talking), or the scoutmaster for reminding me too much of my Cub Scout leader. Apparently google and autocad were good for building a canoe that came in second out of four in one of three heats.I flicked my...
Another face, another name...
Star Scout Anthony Z, 16, of Troop 1011, Frederick, MD tops out on HVSR’s 40 foot climbing tower.
Not much to say tonight. Tight jaw. Long day. 92˚ in the sun, not to mention, on top of the tower was probably hotter. Tomorrow’s supposed to hit 97˚. Lost the power cord to my computer. I skipped our interfaith chapel service and read my Bible in the bathroom, not to say my faith has...
Mind the gap
On the north slope of Waggoner’s Gap, his face to the bushes, Lee Bear, from Ickesburg, PA, says, “Have you ever seen a bear pick berries?” Lee, his wife, and three grandchildren were picking eastern salmonberries along the roadside, Sunday afternoon, July 10, 2011.
I was driving down the gap, after pushing the jetta, uncontested, up each switchback on the south side. I was...
9 tags
Under these lights
Shianne Riggs, 16, of Dillsburg, PA, stands along the fence, waiting to cross to the infield during the Super Sportsmen Feature at Williams Grove Motor Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA, July 9th, 2011. “When I’m 18, I’m going to be a driver,” she says, smiling.
I have lived in Dillsburg for the majority of the past 14 years and only finally made it to Williams Grove. With...
Parade
Troop 136 walks past Joe Patti, a Climbing Merit Badge instructor at HVSR, during Friday evening’s parade.
This is not a drill...
(Name, troop, age, rank to come) surveys the scene as incident commander, while team leader (Name, troop, age, rank to come) follows behind with a make-shift litter on the scene of a “severe thunderstorm” in camp. The Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge drill puts boy scouts’ training to work at HVSR every week.
Under the gun
A scout levels a 20 Gauge Mossberg at the shotgun range while shooting to qualify for the Shotgun Merit Badge.
I’m under the gun for my photos at work. The long and short of it is that it’s not part of my job, but it’s marketable for the camp and the council. I have begun the ‘legal’ negotiations with my boss and my boss’s boss. I’m torn-I understand...
Aims and Methods
In an effort to improve, I am shooting everyday. I’m not sure what I was trying to achieve with this photograph. I don’t like the kids looking at me, but I empathize with the one looking away-tired. It’s difficult to get feedback on my photos here, and I’m not sure where to go myself.
tumblrbot asked: WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST HUMAN MEMORY?
23 tags
Unabiding democracy
Albero reaches for a rear brake caliper from Victor, both immigrants from San Salvador, El Salvador, in front of Victor’s suburban Washington D.C. home. Albero speaks little English and Victor has not seen his family in 12 years. “The economy here is real bad. Before the recession things were good, now there are no jobs,” says Victor, who has work permits but no Green Card,...
