Part 2: The Poker Club
Third Day: Tuesday
Summer 1962: The third day of the two-week scout camp begins. Last night, Julian watched Mark shaving, fulfilling a wish he’d nursed for more than a year. The final event of Part 1 was the fulfillment of Nick’s longstanding wish to do unto Tom as he did to others. It was a milestone in their relationship that neither expected. These two relationships in Troop Nine remain the central interest, but new characters and stories are woven into the narrative during the three days of Part 2.
Today we meet Geoff Staples, a transplant from the west coast. His British father and Cambodian mother have provided him with a unique heritage and background. He, Jack Haley and Brian Rogers are from the suburbs of Atlanta. They have a very special and exclusive club.
Introducing Casey Snyder and Robin Simmons from Troop Nine. Like several others, they’ve had the dubious honor of being “broken in” by Tom Dawson. They are drawn into Tom’s newly discovered club.
We meet Bruce Ruggles, the seriously overweight Second Class scout who was introduced briefly in Part 1. He and Julian were volunteer victims for the Lifesaving Merit Badge test.
Julian and Nick become closer as friends and as journalistic partners. Julian works hard at improving his swimming skills.
Camp Director John Jorgensen pays a surprise visit to Barr’s Meadow and observes the second Troop Nine campfire skit, a parody of Gunsmoke.
Fourth Day: Wednesday
The roles of protector and protected are reversed unexpectedly in the Flaming Arrow Patrol. Julian and Danny find themselves cast as guardians.
Julian makes strides in his artistic ability while he continues to explore the marvels of adolescence.
Danny takes his second major step in learning about who he is and where he wants to go in life. Geoff emerges as a shaper of events; he undertakes the further education of Danny.
The Poker Club’s second game runs into unexpected complications. Nick is forced out of his back row comfort zone, and Tom discovers how difficult it is to change. Robin and Casey are right at home.
Paul Harris and Doug Tucker are another pair from Troop Nine that was initiated in past years by Tom. They were not happy with that experience like some, and have struck out on their own.
Julian and Sid discover Doug and Paul’s secret activity, and their long friendship takes on a new dimension.
Tom decides to make a permanent change in sleeping arrangements; Mark and Julian have a major breakthrough conference.
After hours in Barr’s Meadow on Wednesday night is very special; relationships and perceptions develop and grow; reflections on the day’s activity keep several minds occupied; a lot has to be sorted out before morning.
Fifth Day: Thursday
Water Polo teams are formed. Mark is selected to be one of the coaches. He asks Tom to serve as his captain.
Geoff decides he should get to know Nick. He is surprised by what he discovers.
A new story emerges: Robin Simmons from Troop Nine, and Jack Haley from Troop 152. They were put together in the second “layer” of yesterday’s Poker game. Robin is one of Tom’s “initiates;” Jack is one of the original Poker Club members from Atlanta. Some special unexpected magic follows from that second game.
Troop Nine has its third annual troop barbecue at Camp Walker. Mark ordered that the supplies provided for this one meal be centralized. Preparing and eating this meal together as a whole troop is a part of his ongoing program of building morale. He sought always to offset the negative tendencies of intra patrol competition. He wanted them to intermingle and mix it up as much as possible. If too many members of a patrol clustered together, he forced them to separate and get to know someone new. He has succeeded in fostering friendly competition as an alternative to intense patrol rivalry.
Naturally, the above capsule is incomplete. Other fun and surprises abound for those who read the entire book. The probable result is to develop an irresistible urge to find out how things turn out by proceeding on to Part 3, The Shooting Gallery.
Of course, that’s on purpose!
Read an excerpt
Third Day: Tuesday
Summer 1962: The third day of the two-week scout camp begins. Last night, Julian watched Mark shaving, fulfilling a wish he’d nursed for more than a year. The final event of Part 1 was the fulfillment of Nick’s longstanding wish to do unto Tom as he did to others. It was a milestone in their relationship that neither expected. These two relationships in Troop Nine remain the central interest, but new characters and stories are woven into the narrative during the three days of Part 2.
Today we meet Geoff Staples, a transplant from the west coast. His British father and Cambodian mother have provided him with a unique heritage and background. He, Jack Haley and Brian Rogers are from the suburbs of Atlanta. They have a very special and exclusive club.
Introducing Casey Snyder and Robin Simmons from Troop Nine. Like several others, they’ve had the dubious honor of being “broken in” by Tom Dawson. They are drawn into Tom’s newly discovered club.
We meet Bruce Ruggles, the seriously overweight Second Class scout who was introduced briefly in Part 1. He and Julian were volunteer victims for the Lifesaving Merit Badge test.
Julian and Nick become closer as friends and as journalistic partners. Julian works hard at improving his swimming skills.
Camp Director John Jorgensen pays a surprise visit to Barr’s Meadow and observes the second Troop Nine campfire skit, a parody of Gunsmoke.
Fourth Day: Wednesday
The roles of protector and protected are reversed unexpectedly in the Flaming Arrow Patrol. Julian and Danny find themselves cast as guardians.
Julian makes strides in his artistic ability while he continues to explore the marvels of adolescence.
Danny takes his second major step in learning about who he is and where he wants to go in life. Geoff emerges as a shaper of events; he undertakes the further education of Danny.
The Poker Club’s second game runs into unexpected complications. Nick is forced out of his back row comfort zone, and Tom discovers how difficult it is to change. Robin and Casey are right at home.
Paul Harris and Doug Tucker are another pair from Troop Nine that was initiated in past years by Tom. They were not happy with that experience like some, and have struck out on their own.
Julian and Sid discover Doug and Paul’s secret activity, and their long friendship takes on a new dimension.
Tom decides to make a permanent change in sleeping arrangements; Mark and Julian have a major breakthrough conference.
After hours in Barr’s Meadow on Wednesday night is very special; relationships and perceptions develop and grow; reflections on the day’s activity keep several minds occupied; a lot has to be sorted out before morning.
Fifth Day: Thursday
Water Polo teams are formed. Mark is selected to be one of the coaches. He asks Tom to serve as his captain.
Geoff decides he should get to know Nick. He is surprised by what he discovers.
A new story emerges: Robin Simmons from Troop Nine, and Jack Haley from Troop 152. They were put together in the second “layer” of yesterday’s Poker game. Robin is one of Tom’s “initiates;” Jack is one of the original Poker Club members from Atlanta. Some special unexpected magic follows from that second game.
Troop Nine has its third annual troop barbecue at Camp Walker. Mark ordered that the supplies provided for this one meal be centralized. Preparing and eating this meal together as a whole troop is a part of his ongoing program of building morale. He sought always to offset the negative tendencies of intra patrol competition. He wanted them to intermingle and mix it up as much as possible. If too many members of a patrol clustered together, he forced them to separate and get to know someone new. He has succeeded in fostering friendly competition as an alternative to intense patrol rivalry.
Naturally, the above capsule is incomplete. Other fun and surprises abound for those who read the entire book. The probable result is to develop an irresistible urge to find out how things turn out by proceeding on to Part 3, The Shooting Gallery.
Of course, that’s on purpose!
Read an excerpt