This summer has been a most memorable and eventful summer in my eyes, and hopefully in all of yours' too. We kicked off the summer with a great first rendezvous during week one and had a grand old time. I'll admit that I was a bit nervous during the first and second rendezvous, but after that I was having just as great a time as you guys, and the experiences just kept on getting better and better!

 

The program overall was very strong this year. We had lots of people get their second claw and even more get their first, while a fair amount also go their third. I kind of like to brag a little bit on this, but we even completely filled up the rock one week with something like 60-70 people, which was totally awesome. We gotta do that every week next summer!

 

Though there were a lot of good things this summer, there are also some changes that will be made next year. None of them are too important, though I would like to mention that the way which we use to pass down claws will be much more organized next year. People will be required to give me their claws at one of the meetings for the frontiersmen that we have throughout the week, and then will receive them at the appropriate time with the correct adjustments having been made to the claw(s).

 

Other than that, I can't say that I have too much else to say except for thanks for a great summer guys! This being my second year on staff and being Brigade Commander, I was a bit nervous, but you guys came through with the enthusiasm expected of a frontiersmen and filled my heart with courage. Thank you all so very much for helping make this program what it is.

-- John Elmore, Brigade Commander