Our Last Day on the Reservation

How do I describe Thursday…Crazy. We let the kids sleep in an extra 30 minutes, not sure that was such a great idea at first. Despite a wake up that launched everyone into the new day, and one the kids were still talking about during the evening wrap up, the morning seemed to start out in slow motion. Eventually, we got into the groove and we accomplished a lot of work before lunch.

Today’s service projects included painting a second coat on the Pow-Wow arbor, installing a new faucet in the kitchen sink, digging four post holes for a new sign, and braiding yarn curtain wraps for the windows. The goal was to be done with everything by 10:45 so that we could enjoy some crazy games with the folks from Denver in an end of trip party. As with every plan this week, this one too needed slight adjustment. But by 11:30 the games had begun.

We divided the groups into four random teams. The first game was an ice cream eating contest. The teams had to race down the length of the facility one at a time to a table with four bowls of ice cream and syrup. The challenge was to eat the ice cream without a spoon or by using your hands and to race back for the next person to do the same. As the game progressed, the cheers got louder and louder and the building was filled with the sound of kids having fun. In the end, Team four pulled off a slimy but tasty victory.

Game two required a little less energy, but some real fortitude. We had everyone sit in a large circle and played a version of hot potato. Giving each person a spoon, and distributing five jars of masked baby food around the circle, the music began and the jars were passed from one to another. Whoever held the jar when the music stopped, dipped their spoon into whatever flavor they held, and enjoyed an appetizing spoonful of energy. Okay, maybe it was not so appetizing, and maybe the energy manifested itself in faces of disgust, but everyone dug in. Once a spoonful had been placed into the mouth, they passed the jar off and bowed out of the next round. This went on until we got down to one person who was lucky enough not to eat any of the wonderful fare.

Then it was outside for the next game. We divided back into our teams and each team member got a ladies knee high nylon stocking which they stretched over their head. The laughter began immediately after the stocking went on and we did not think we would ever get to the real game. Still, they were given a small cup of pudding and one at a time team members sucked the pudding through the stocking Again, team four pulled out in front of the others for a victory that was a “ mouthful”, if anything.

To help the kids let loose a little frustration, while having fun, on the adults who worked them hard this past week, we had one last game. Cary (from Denver) Robin Heller, Keith Gourley, and Fr. Tom donned a large plastic garbage bag and sat down in a chair in the parking lot. The teams gathered around these brave souls and each was given a large can of whipped cream and a supply of cheese balls. The object was to give their subject a whipped cream hat and then see who could toss the most cheese balls into the hat and stick. The whipped cream went on, and the kids formed hats, some with flaps that filled the ears. Then the race was on as they tossed cheese ball after cheese ball into the pile of goo. When the supply ran out, they picked them up off the ground and kept on tossing until the time ran out. Somehow, team four again pulled out smashing victory with 67 cheese balls in Cary’s hat of cream. Once the tally was complete, Keith and Tom’s teams helped them clean up by rubbing the pile of goo into the hair. Fr. Tom’s Mohawk was quite impressive.

The games over, the clean up complete, it was time for pictures. The mood shifted slightly as the kids knew that our departure time was approaching. This group that came from all across the state of Nebraska and from Denver had become one group, one family, and the pictures could not be taken in any other way but together. Those taking the pictures were given what seemed like dozens of cameras as everyone wanted their memory of this blessed time together. Afterwards, it was time for lunch. The fellowship all had enjoyed was obvious as we shared a meal of pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, chips and watermelon. As the reservation kids began to arrive, we quickly cleaned up and after some tearful goodbyes, from both groups and the reservation kids, we headed back to Valentine to pack up.

The chatter on the ride back was all about the new friends that had been made and the anticipation of the fun to come. Once in Valentine, there was some painting to finish up and the pack up went more smoothly than we expected. Another thing happened that we did not expect, the arrival of a reporter from the local newspaper. They had learned about what we were doing and wanted to meet us and learn more. Taking copies of some of our pictures, the reporter said the article would be in next week’s paper. She promised to send me an electronic copy which I will post to this blog. Another set of pictures for use at Annual Council and it was off to the campground.

When we arrived, we found we were the only group in the section with the cabins. This gave the kids the freedom to run around and make noise without fear of disturbing others. One of the first noises made was a loud groan as they realized the only bathroom facilities in the immediate area were outhouses and portables. However, once they learned that modern indoor facilities were 100 yards away at the office, the groans subsided and the fun began. Robin grilled burgers and hot dogs and the kids enjoyed left over ice cream and a piece of Rowan’s birthday cake.

After dinner the trek to the showers began and we noticed that kids were going but not coming back. So as some of the adults made their way for a long awaited and well deserved gift from heaven, we saw the kids gathered around the beach area, many knee deep in the cool waters of the Niobrara. With adult supervision, several climbed on the rocks and the cameras were busy as kids took pictures together with the river as the background. Just before dark, we gathered around a fire pit next to the river and enjoyed a bonfire put together by some of the scouts on our team. Ali played the guitar, we sang, enjoyed S’mores, and the cameras continued their constant flashing as the kids tried to get one more picture. The night ended with the group singing “One Tin Soldier” and saying the Lord’s Prayer. This was a long day, but one that each of this trip’s participants will remember.

Breaking News: As everyone began to settle in for a well deserved rest, it has been brought to this reporter’s attention (of course I had no knowledge that anything such as what is to be described was about to happen) that shortly after retiring, a group of unnamed individuals left their cabin up to no good. The peaceful silence of the night was broken by the loud sounds of grunts and howls along with pounding from 8 pairs of hands on one of the walls to the girls cabin. This was immediately followed by screams of terror from inside the unsuspecting cabin and the sound of laughter as this gang of roughens sought the safety of their humble abode. As we know all decisions have consequences and the once proud and mighty band of revelers met their match as Mother Karen pointed out the error of their judgment while I (your humble reporter) and Keith cowered in the cabin out of sight in hopes we would not somehow be implicated in this dastardly deed. The night calm returned and before we knew it everyone was fast asleep.