Eagle Scout Experience

TravelFatherhoodPersonalPhotographyCampingWisconsinFirsts
Suveera sitting on her mothers lap in a camping chair starring at a campfire off screen

3 nights in a tent, 4 days without a real roof over her head and just like that, Suveera is a camper.
We spent the Labor Day weekend in Wisconsin at Big Foot Beach State Park, right on Lake Geneva. My best friend and I, both Eagle Scouts, have been camping together every summer for almost 15 years now and whenever we bring friends we treat them to the Eagle Scout experience.
We cook our meals directly over the fire, the fire that we start with flint and steel. We have all the gear including tents to lend out to those who don't have them. We want our friends to enjoy themselves and we take care so they come back.

With Suveera with us we kept the food a bit light, but even then this year wasn't much different. We cooked beer brats over the fire for Friday night. The key is to cut the top off a tallboy, drop the whole brat in, then put it right in the fire to boil in the can. After a bit you pull it out and roast it right over the fire. So good. Finish it off with a S'more and you've got a good night.

The first night got a little cold, but we brought an extra fluffy and warm onesie for Suveera and she slept through most of the night in her pack-n-play in our tent no problem. She woke up briefly, but took a bit from a bottle and she was back out.

Suveera on my lap in the tent
The morning after a good sleep.
Closer image of Suveera on my lap in the tent.

The next day was mostly lazing around the campfire until the heat got to us and we took a dip in the lake. Lunch was pudgie pies and we actually went out to dinner at Lake City Social, then back to the campsite for another night of fire.

Shaila with Suveera in her lap, in a camping chair

The second night Suveera slept even better. Once she was down she was out all the way through till the morning when I woke up to her looking down at me through the mesh of her crib.

Day three was even more lazing around the campsite. Brunch was one I do often, a big scramble with veggie chorizo, peppers, onions, eggs, and cheese. It's always a hit, and so easy.

Suveera on her stomach on a blanket outside with sunglasses on
Suveera is cooler than you.

Dinner was another easy classic, tin foil meals. A bunch of things (potatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms and ground beef) wrapped up in tinfoil and thrown directly onto the coals. One flip later and you've got a nice compact meal.

The third night Suveera didn't want to go to sleep. She wanted to be her true FOMO baby and stay by the fire with all the adults. But eventually a pacifier was enough to take her down.

Shaila and Suveera in a camping chair
All bundled up and getting ready for bed.
Shaila and Suveera by the fire
Still up
Shaila and Suveera in a camping chair around the fire
Still Up
Shaila and Suveera by the campfire, Suveera staring at the camera
"Hi Dad, I'm not tired."
A selfie of Suveer and I lit by the fire
See Dad, still awake.
A photo of a campfire
The fire was pretty cool

All that said, it was a pretty great weekend. No freak outs, just calm as always. I can't wait to see what next year brings. Maybe Rock Island State Park...