It was a cold, snowy winter weekend and our scout troop had rented out Kitchen Lodge for a camping trip. We arrived at the lodge in the early afternoon and immediately set to work setting up our sleeping arrangements and unloading our gear.
Once we had everything set up, we headed outside to explore the surrounding woods. The snow was deep and the air was crisp and clean. We spent the afternoon building a quinzee, which is a type of shelter made by packing snow into a large mound and then carving out the inside to create a cozy space.
As the evening approached, we gathered around the campfire to warm up and roast marshmallows. The flames flickered and danced, casting a warm glow on our faces as we huddled together, telling stories and laughing.
As the night grew darker, we retired to our sleeping bags, nestled inside the quinzee. The snow outside was illuminated by the full moon, casting a soft, silver light on the landscape. I fell asleep feeling warm and content, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness and the soft snores of my fellow scouts.
The next morning, we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow and the aroma of breakfast cooking over the campfire. We spent the day skiing and snowshoeing through the woods, exploring the winter wonderland that surrounded us.
As the weekend came to a close and it was time to pack up and head home, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. Our winter camping trip at Kitchen Lodge had been an unforgettable experience, filled with adventure and camaraderie. I couldn’t wait to do it all again next year.
(A 12 year old’s perspective on a great weekend at Camp Samac. )
