Hunter's Busy Summer

The very first day of summer, Hunter gathered his friends and fellow scouts together and worked on his Eagle Project--something he had planned months prior. 

As any mother of an Eagle Scout knows, the application and paperwork is one of THE hardest parts of the project. It was Hunter's goal (and mine) to get everything complete and turned in by the end of the summer!  

Hunter is seen here working on his paperwork! He taught ME a new way to enjoy my computer time!
 Grandma Bishop created this beautiful plaque to commemorate Hunter's Eagle Scout Rank. She was in town at the beginning of Summer and presented it to him--even though he was not an OFFICIAL Eagle

GUESS WHAT? HE (we) DID IT!  

Last week, Hunter turned in his final project paperwork and application to the BSA and is now awaiting his Eagle Board of Review date which should be Aug. 18!

Although as a family, we MAY not of accomplished ALL of our Summer goals, this is a major accomplishment for Hunter and we are PROUD!

 The following are a few of the other Summer activities Hunter participated in:

 ---Parties with friends---

---Jacob Squire, Hunter's friend from early-morning seminary, invited some friends over to view his collection of "toys" Hunter was enthralled!

Hunter and his EFY youth group created this banner as their flag!

EFY 2011:  Believe, Hope, Endure

MU Campus  •  Columbia, Mo.  •  July 5-11

Hunter attended this week-long youth camp and met many new friends from around the country who share the same LDS values and standards. Dances, workshops, talent shows, activities, and just hanging out with friends was the agenda for the week.

 New friend from Springfield, Mo.--Austin Dean

 Looking good for the girls!

Roommate and friend for life:  Micah Hansen

EFY Soulmates!

Cute girl, Hunter! What is her name?

...Photos curtesy of Hunter Bishop...

New faces...new friends...new Facebook posts from around the country!

Austin and Jared came up from Springfield, Mo. to attend a tri-stake dance in the Kansas City area. They stayed over at our house and had a blast!

After EFY, it was off to Scouting's High Adventure with the troop from Overland Park 1st Ward--584!

L to R:  Landon Gille--Sebastian Cuadros--George Gille--Hunter Bishop--Micah Hansen--Brad Bishop--James Naylor--Chaz Soubie--Kevin Fox

Three-days tubing, wake-boarding and water-skiing at Stockton Lake in 100-degree temps. was enough to wear any 14-16-year-old boy out!

 With temps over 100 degrees and in the 90's in the evening hours, there was no relief from the beating sun, except in the water. The scouts and leaders are great examples of endurance and strength and making the best of any situation!

 Hunter's FIRST time up on skis!

 Jessie told Brad that he looked like a teenager when she saw him wearing his hat this way!

 Hunter worked hard to stay on the skis for as long as possible!

 Tubing was fun for all of the scouts! The back of Hunter's legs suffered the MOST sun damage as they were exposed ALL day to the intense UV rays!

 On the third day, the campers were exhausted and attempted to find AC and stay indoors. Besides the cool of the van's they traveled in, the closest building was the Stockton Lake Visitor Center and Army Corps of Engineers.

 The group learned all they wanted to know concerning the nearby dam.

 ...and cooling center!

After fun in the sun, this group of Scouts served the people of Joplin, MO by helping with cleanup from the deadliest tornado in US History! Here is a link to those pics taken by George Gille:

JOPLIN MISSOURI SCOUTS from OP 1 serve