Job's Daughters

 

When Susan was a teenager, she belonged to a Masonic organization called Job's Daughters. After we moved to Bend, I joined the local Lodge, and when some of the Masons learned we had a boy and a girl, they began asking us if we'd be willing to help with the youth groups.

This spring, Susan agreed to be the Bethel Guardian and helped the incoming Honored Queen plan her installation. In April, she helped organize a promotional party for the Bethel. 

Last week Bethel 11 held its spring installation. It had a circus theme, and afterward we had refreshments with circus games.

This afternoon we held a car wash fundraiser at the lodge. 

Scouting

In April, Bryan went with his troop on a camping trip to Horse Ridge, east of Bend.

He also earned a new rank at his troop's Court of Honor.

Last month, Jenn's Girl Scout troop started selling cookies.

This weekend, the Girl Scout troops in the Bend area held their annual "Big Tree" campout in LaPine State Park.

Southern Oregon National Parks

On Tuesday we drove northeast, and stopped at Oregon Caves National Monument for a few hours. We enjoyed the cave tour, and the kids earned another Junior Ranger badge.

Water from the cave flows out into a small pond, then joins a stream. Nearby is a nice visitor center and a lodge that was built in the 30's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. We camped that night at Stewart State Park, which was really nice. It's on the shore of Lost Creek Lake, which feeds the Rogue River.

Our final stop was at Crater Lake National Park. Once again some of the roads were blocked due to snow. We were able to go up to the Rim Village visitor center and the Lodge, but couldn't drive Rim Drive or go out through the north entrance.

The kids earned their Junior Ranger badges by viewing displays in the visitor center about the geography of the area. We also watched two videos; one about the park in general and one about annual snow removal efforts. We then headed home.We had to go back out the south exit and around the park on the west.