My boys and I spent this past week at a little camp nestled up in the mountains in East Glacier. It is so beautiful up there.
It doesn’t look like much from here, but it has plenty to make an impact on children’s lives.
This was the view from the cabin where we stayed. We were up fairly high. It is hard to see on these pictures, but that is the treeline, you see there.
One of the days, we all piled into vehicles and climbed our way up the road into Many Glacier. I had not been in the park since I was about 10 years old, even though I have lived here for a very long time, so it was about time. It was so pretty up there.
There was a lot of piggy back rides from the teen camp counselors.
It was a great group of kids! This is the whole group in front of the lodge with that mountain backdrop.
This is the row of children getting ready to hike up the mountain.
This is the giant lodge on the lake. It was built in 1914.
We had to wait for the last bathroom users before heading off.
Here we go! I tried to stay back with my mom, as she is a slower walker, but gave up and went ahead. On the way back, I wised up and went ahead of everyone!
At the end of the hike, there was a lake that the children were jumping into. It was glacier fed, so not the warmest, but the beach had lovely flat rocks all over it.
There was a boat that was practicing for boat tours while we were sitting there.
We made spots to sit in the sun and just observe the view. There was some snow up there, and a warning on the trail that if you went higher, the path was a mess from the snow.
L. and H. with the lake in the background
Some more mountain pictures….
The trail of children coming up the path! They were so happy and well behaved. They called down the line all the way, counting “1!” “2!” etc.
Arnica along the path
I got ahead walking, and the boys said they were getting comments like “Your mom sure can walk fast, even though she is short.”
Waiting for the rest of the group.
We had to make it home to cook dinner. Everyday, the woman in charge of the camp had a wonderfully organized menu to cook. She did so much work and we worked on helping her. We fixed three meals a day and two snacks generally. There is no electricity, but there is a generator that runs the water for showers and dishwashing, and lights when needed. There is the lodge, five cabins and a bath house, along with the generator shed. They also had a camper they used for sleeping in. It is all simple, but a very nice set up.
This was music time! Almost everyone sang loudly, and the ones that didn’t at first, were joining in near the end.
This was craft time. I think this one was making small baskets. They really enjoyed the crafts, especially T. He thought it was so much fun!
The sunset from the view from our cabin where we slept.
It was rainy and cold on one of the days, so we decided to drive instead of swim and hike and visited another lodge near the park and had an ice cream snack.
L. trying on some bear gloves.
H. and T. next to the historical pictures, diaries, clothing etc. The history was so fascinating for the area, especially on one the price for a dentist removing a wisdom tooth was listed. She paid $2.50 for the tooth removal.
There was a large teepee outside, several of them….but we were trying to beat the rain to get inside. It was pouring down!
L. and one of his friends at camp.
We had to keep everyone busy in the rain and there were lots of games made up with card etc. 
My mom was showing them music that my brothers and sisters had played this last year. 
Game time!!!
They played a variety of games, but all had a great time laughing, guessing each other’s “names”.
It was wet and cold, but they got a little stir crazy after a bit and they went out to play, even though most of the counselors were fighting colds. They were taking every natural and unnatural remedy we were handing out. Grapefruit Seed extract, oregano oil, L-Lysine, Airborne etc. We kept filling the tea carafe and they kept draining it along with the honey bear. They rubbed essential oils on their chests as well.
More singing time! They could get really energetic!
Campfire time inside instead of in the wet! We are good at improvising here!
P. with some of the small campers at the breakfast table.
They did a continuing skit throughout the week. This was a portion of the last one. One of the nights, the dinner was like a Medieval dinner. They had foil instead of plates and had to eat with their hands. We had Roast beef, roast chicken, bread, fruit, and roasted potato wedges. It turned out really good and they had a jousting match in the field while everyone was eating.
On Friday, we cleaned up the camp and all headed over the mountains for home. It was a really fun and satisfying week. If you would like to ever support a camp that ministers over on the Blackfeet Indian Tribe, consider donating some money, even food or time if you have it. It is worth it!
http://www.glaciermeadowlodge.org
