What is cub scouts to me
This past weekend, I watched my oldest son cross over a threshold, a bridge literally and figuratively. An adventure him and I started to get him out of his shell, to make friends goes on, with a bit more independence and self reliance. Skills and achievements that he didn't think were possible, earned and awarded.
It was a mixture of pride and sadness. He is now part of amazing boy led troop, not a parent led pack. He will be on equal footing with other boys who have taken that journey. I'm sure that his natural leader abilities will continue to grow and shine in his new adventure.
However, it got me thinking. None of the boys he started with continued, with the last one dropping out last year. I also thought about the various reasons I've heard over the last 4 1/2 years of why this scout stopped coming or that scout dropped out. There are the various misconceptions about it being uncool or that sports are a better future. I can dispute that with this past SuperBowl 50 with Peyton Manning promoting boy scouts and that the fact at the Broncos had 2 Eagle scouts on their roster (Eagle for those who don't know, is the highest achievement and rank for a Boy Scout to earn)
Another complaint I heard is that the boys didn't like it. That can very much be true, it's not for everyone. However, I can honestly say that over half of the parents that said that to me, the boy himself asked if he could come back because he liked it.
A common thread is that we don't do enough outdoors. I can see that. However it's what annoys me the most. What that parent or parents doesn't understand, is that to do events like camping, fishing, hiking, or even geocaching, is that we need volunteers. An average den is supposed to be 6-10 boys, not 20 something boys with one person. Boys aged 6-10 are a bundle of energy, with a supreme case of short attention span theater. It's hard to keep a 10 year focused while you are trying to keep activities age appropriate for 6 years old.
What people don't realize is that cub scouting is not like boy scouting in all ways. We introduce the boys to team concepts. We want the partner and boy dynamic because scouting isn't just for kids. It's time to bond. We expand on learned school lessons in a fun way. As the boys level up, their activities get more advanced. Boys in 3rd grade learn whittling safety with pocketknife safety. 4th and 5th graders are branching out, starting to expand on skills for outdoor activities. They also can start focusing on fun activities like movie making and making their own board game. Instead of listening about how to stay safe, they start actively doing basic first aid skills and making their own first aid kids. They start using GPS, compasses and coordinates for GeoCaching. Campfire safety and basic outdoor cooking skills.
Quite frankly, you get what you put into it. If you expect to drop your kid off, sit back and talk, then you are missing out. Cub scouting provided me opportunities to spend time with Kameron and now Taylor that I couldn't imagine. I camped overnight in Liberty Science Center and at baseball stadiums. We went to watch car races and hockey games. I spent the day at an environmental center where we bird watched and made homemade fishing poles. Pinewood derby races with cars made with countless hours of sanding and painting, dreams of victory and lessons of good sportsmanship. Day trips spent apple picking or pumpkin patches learning how they grow. Trips to libraries, garden shops, firehouses, police stations and historical places. I didn't sit on the sideline. I sat with my son at his meetings, I chipped in and helped. Then I became a volunteer. I decided to put time in, and came out with memories lasting a lifetime. So what I have to do some fundraising one Saturday every couple of months. Those few hours can't replace the hundred of hours of enjoyment and bliss I saw on his face. I put my time and effort, and I got rewarded.
As a leader, I get even more rewards. When I call each scout up for awards, theirs eyes wide in anticipation. Every patch and belt loop appreciated, their eyes sparkle with pride at their achievements. And we don't give participation medals and trophies, those boys earn all they get. And again, with their adult partners, they have the chance to earn more and more. Again, you get what you give
It is very easy to criticize something, but unless you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, then your words are just that, words. I would love to see a pack of 25 kids, with parents willing to step up and volunteer. To lead that group with their son in it. Unfortunately, I've seen all too often that kids are dropped off, parents leave or go hide in the corner. No input except how come we can't afford to do this, how come you don't pay for the scouts to do this, or how come we aren't able to do this event. If we do something to raise funds for such events, they complain that they have to do fundraising.
Yes, cub scout costs money. The cost however, is relatively inexpensive for what you can do. A year long program, weekly during the school year, bi monthly during summer. Maybe more if an active group. To make the most of cub scouts, or any scouting group, you and you alone need to step up. There are no excuses, no whys, no how comes. If you want a fun memorable cub scout experience, then step-up like I did.
It was a mixture of pride and sadness. He is now part of amazing boy led troop, not a parent led pack. He will be on equal footing with other boys who have taken that journey. I'm sure that his natural leader abilities will continue to grow and shine in his new adventure.
However, it got me thinking. None of the boys he started with continued, with the last one dropping out last year. I also thought about the various reasons I've heard over the last 4 1/2 years of why this scout stopped coming or that scout dropped out. There are the various misconceptions about it being uncool or that sports are a better future. I can dispute that with this past SuperBowl 50 with Peyton Manning promoting boy scouts and that the fact at the Broncos had 2 Eagle scouts on their roster (Eagle for those who don't know, is the highest achievement and rank for a Boy Scout to earn)
Another complaint I heard is that the boys didn't like it. That can very much be true, it's not for everyone. However, I can honestly say that over half of the parents that said that to me, the boy himself asked if he could come back because he liked it.
A common thread is that we don't do enough outdoors. I can see that. However it's what annoys me the most. What that parent or parents doesn't understand, is that to do events like camping, fishing, hiking, or even geocaching, is that we need volunteers. An average den is supposed to be 6-10 boys, not 20 something boys with one person. Boys aged 6-10 are a bundle of energy, with a supreme case of short attention span theater. It's hard to keep a 10 year focused while you are trying to keep activities age appropriate for 6 years old.
What people don't realize is that cub scouting is not like boy scouting in all ways. We introduce the boys to team concepts. We want the partner and boy dynamic because scouting isn't just for kids. It's time to bond. We expand on learned school lessons in a fun way. As the boys level up, their activities get more advanced. Boys in 3rd grade learn whittling safety with pocketknife safety. 4th and 5th graders are branching out, starting to expand on skills for outdoor activities. They also can start focusing on fun activities like movie making and making their own board game. Instead of listening about how to stay safe, they start actively doing basic first aid skills and making their own first aid kids. They start using GPS, compasses and coordinates for GeoCaching. Campfire safety and basic outdoor cooking skills.
Quite frankly, you get what you put into it. If you expect to drop your kid off, sit back and talk, then you are missing out. Cub scouting provided me opportunities to spend time with Kameron and now Taylor that I couldn't imagine. I camped overnight in Liberty Science Center and at baseball stadiums. We went to watch car races and hockey games. I spent the day at an environmental center where we bird watched and made homemade fishing poles. Pinewood derby races with cars made with countless hours of sanding and painting, dreams of victory and lessons of good sportsmanship. Day trips spent apple picking or pumpkin patches learning how they grow. Trips to libraries, garden shops, firehouses, police stations and historical places. I didn't sit on the sideline. I sat with my son at his meetings, I chipped in and helped. Then I became a volunteer. I decided to put time in, and came out with memories lasting a lifetime. So what I have to do some fundraising one Saturday every couple of months. Those few hours can't replace the hundred of hours of enjoyment and bliss I saw on his face. I put my time and effort, and I got rewarded.
As a leader, I get even more rewards. When I call each scout up for awards, theirs eyes wide in anticipation. Every patch and belt loop appreciated, their eyes sparkle with pride at their achievements. And we don't give participation medals and trophies, those boys earn all they get. And again, with their adult partners, they have the chance to earn more and more. Again, you get what you give
It is very easy to criticize something, but unless you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, then your words are just that, words. I would love to see a pack of 25 kids, with parents willing to step up and volunteer. To lead that group with their son in it. Unfortunately, I've seen all too often that kids are dropped off, parents leave or go hide in the corner. No input except how come we can't afford to do this, how come you don't pay for the scouts to do this, or how come we aren't able to do this event. If we do something to raise funds for such events, they complain that they have to do fundraising.
Yes, cub scout costs money. The cost however, is relatively inexpensive for what you can do. A year long program, weekly during the school year, bi monthly during summer. Maybe more if an active group. To make the most of cub scouts, or any scouting group, you and you alone need to step up. There are no excuses, no whys, no how comes. If you want a fun memorable cub scout experience, then step-up like I did.
I am so proud of Kameron. I am so proud of my Webelos - of our original 13 we have six crossing over, plus one who joined in 3rd grade, and two who joined this year. So a total of 9. As leaders we were blessed to have such committed and involved parents who could both be relied upon when we needed to delegate something as well as step up and take action of their own accord. I am so excited to see where Boy Scouts takes them! Lisa Walsh
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