FCC competes again in the Future Legends of Barbeque and Supports the HCYLP Barbeque Ball

Goody, Fred, Jack, Brenda, And Grayson - Falling Creek Camp’s Caddyrack BBQ Shack TeamGoody, Fred, Jack, Brenda, And Grayson - Falling Creek Camp’s Caddyrack BBQ Shack Team

The annual Future Legends of Barbeque Competition and Barbeque Ball was held recently at Camp Mondamin on Saturday, October 13th, 2012. It is a wonderful family-oriented event with something for all ages.

Current and past Falling Creek families and summer staff members attend and it is like a reunion. Goody, Kristi, and their son Thompson, joined forces with Fred and Brenda Conklin, and their sons Jack and Grayson, to create the Falling Creek Camp Team. Jack and Grayson will return to FCC for their 7th and 3rd summers. They called themselves the “Caddyrack BBG Shack” team using the theme from the famous Caddyshack movie. Goody, Fred and Yates were campers and CIT’s together at FCC and it was wonderful to join the families together for the day supporting a great cause and having fun.

Jack and Goody working hard to get the barbeque prepared for cookingJack and Goody working hard to get the barbeque prepared for cooking

The day’s events, that were chaired in the past by Marisa, benefit the Henderson County Young Leaders Program, which is a nationally praised program that provides a progression of opportunities for “Children of Promise.” Paige Hafner, FCC’s new Administartive Director, used to be the Executive Director of HCYLP. Paige remains actively involved, especially with leading the planning and coordinating of this great event. HCYLP uses camp experiences, mentoring and outdoor education to facilitate learning and growth in a program themed, “Lifelong Leadership.” The Falling Creek Scholarship, started by the McGrady family, directly benefits several of these boys by sending them to FCC each summer.

Crom taking the oath to become an official Kansas City Barbeque Society JudgeCrom taking the oath to become an official Kansas City Barbeque Society Judge

Crom was also a big help this year volunteering in many ways. He and Yates had their first ever opportunity to serve as official Judges of the barbeque. Yates said “You know this is a tough job to have to taste all that outstanding barbeque, but someone has to do it.”

The delicious results of the FCC Team’s hard work just before they are turned into the judgesThe delicious results of the FCC Team’s hard work just before they are turned into the judges

The rival competing team, “He-Man Woman Hater’s Club” is made up of FCC Camper Chris and his entire family. They, like Goody and friends, have competed every year of the Future Legends event. FCC’s Team Caddyrack BBQ Shack finished 9th overall out of 30 teams, and just behind Chris’ family team “He-Man Woman Hater’s Club” finishing in 7th. Congratulations to both teams!

FCC Camper Chris, and member of competing rival team ‘He-man Woman Haters Club’, checking on GoodyFCC Camper Chris, and member of competing rival team ‘He-man Woman Haters Club’, checking on Goody

The barbeque competition was the brainchild of Starr Teel, former FCC counselor and owner of Hubba Hubba Smokehouse in nearby Flat Rock, NC . Several nationally recognized, professional barbeque teams support the event.

Later that evening, The Barbecue Ball, started in 2008 and originally held at Camp Greystone, moved to Camp Mondamin in 2011. The Barbecue Ball is a family-oriented evening of great food from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse in Flat Rock, NC , live music and square-dancing, a silent auction featuring exciting outdoor experiences, games and activities for the kids, and s’mores! There were many FCC alumni in attendance and who continued their support of the event and HCYLP, including Frank and Ethlyn Byrd, David and Cindy Brown, The McGrady Family, The Teel Family, The Weisel Family, and The Pharr Family.

Please put it on your calendar to come be a part of these wonderful events next October. It’s great fun in the mountains near camp and during a beautiful fall weekend.