I got to spend all day yesterday with a gaggle of Cub Scout Wolves. Jealous much? I've been afraid of scouts for many years. Mostly a fear of the unknown, but also the fear of that many boys in one place. Harrison doesn't turn eight until July, but the Scout Woman in Charge said she would let him go early. (Ummm. . . . thanks?) They also expected one parent to show up for one full day of camp. I drew the short straw.
This woman had a lot of cool Native American furs and weapons to show the kids. Harrison asked if Native Americans ever hunted "ringtails." Did I mention we're reading
Where the Red Fern Grows? Adorable. Afterwards, the kids got to stamp leather straps. That woman was very knowledgeable. I made the mistake of asking her a question and then realized ten minutes into the answer that I didn't actually care.
Stamping leather.
Much better than Wii Archery.
One of our favorite parts was the nature identification hour. Harrison took detailed notes about the trees in the park so he could be just like Lewis and Clark.
Thinking very hard about whether or not this tree's leaves have lobes.
Look how tiny they are next to the den chiefs. They had some great leaders who made liking scouts seem cool. A lot of boys that age like to pretend that not liking anything is cool. I don't need that.
I like that you can see just how filthy he was by the end of the day. It was 100 degrees outside and he couldn't find his sneakers so he had to wear boots and jeans. He was hot all day, but kept the complaining to a minimum. I was really proud of him. This is going to be a great shot for his Eagle Court of Honor slide show.
14 Wisecracks:
I am definitely the mother of boys. I got excited just seeing all the little cub scouts, but when I scrolled down and saw Harrison stamping leather, I started bouncing up and down in my chair saying, Oh how fun! Then when I saw the bow I actually got tears in my eyes. The note taking and pondering of leaves did me in. Years of fun ahead, even in 100 degree heat. He's already a trooper. Way to go Harrison, and Mom!
Same, Patti! I teared up thinking how much better it is to actually be doing the real thing instead of just pretending on the Wii. Something else scouts is good for! Such a beautiful boy! Can't wait to see him (and his siblings) this summer.
I have to admit that I loved every minute of it and was so excited for him.
Too bad that bow was just an Indian artifact from The Woman of Knowledge. The one disappointment of his day was finding out they wouldn't be doing archery or shooting beebee (sp?) guns like they have at that camp for the past 40 years. Some concerned citizen told the city gov't and shut 'er down. They got to shoot sling shots and do catapults, though.
I was so impressed with Harrison's handwriting. I could actually read it, upside down. At what point do they stop writing legibly and only scribble? That's a sad day.
My reaction to the stamping leather was the exact opposite of Patti's......mostly because I just (secretly) threw away all of Ricky's random leather working things from when he was in boy scouts.
I am sure one day I'll be sad to have trashed it when my boys come up and want to try it.
Oh wait. NO BOYS! Oh boy!
Oh man! I could smell those boys from here. That last shot will be awesome at his court of honor.
ummm...there is suppose to be an eagle court of honor slideshow? for reals? i have to follow 4 boys around taking awesome pictures of each adventure they encounter for that last and final scout accomplishment? i don't know if i can handle this kind of pressure. i don't think i was born a mother of boys. thanks for the heads up, though. i haven't heard anything about parents having to be at adam's camp. maybe they will spring that on me when i drop him off. this camp does sound cool. i am glad you and h. bonded in this way.
ummm. . . that was a joke, dude. Sort of. I mean, I've seen slideshows at Eagle Courts of Honor, but I don't think it's a requirement.
That was the other reason I was afraid of scouts--the parent involvement that is required. My time is money.
The secret is starting right now with a filing system of some sort - whatever works best for you. Number one rule is never go to a scout activity without the camera (I missed so many things with your brothers, and even Dad a few weeks ago). Then get them printed or saved when you can. I would just make up a file folder (one that's a pocket - there are a lot of small things that can fall out) and put everything in it as you go, then you have them when you need them at the end. Buying that filing cabinet in Fayetteville 36yrs. ago saved my life and my sanity.
I LOVED THIS POST. I've come back a few times because it is so sweet and funny and adorable... It warms my heart to see Harrison truly interested in something to the point that he can't hide it with his usual "meh" expression for the camera. And I'm with Makenzie about smelling those boys. Dude.
While there is probably more to the story, it is outrageous that a "concerned citizen" would be allowed to ruin things for that many other people. It's a controlled activity, isn't it? Harrison should come to scout camp in Idaho - he can shoot all the arrows and BB guns he want to! (Dad is getting a BB gun to scare off the magpies that are salivating over our garden.)
To be fair to the concerned citizen, it is against the law to shoot guns and arrows in a public park. Even if you have been doing it before and long after that law was made. They're hoping to have that worked out for next year.
Love it! I have NEVER been a fan of scouts, but this post actually made me a little bit excited for when Tyler will start.
The part about you asking a question and the answer taking ten minutes..........hilarious! I have done that before. Wanted to shoot myself.
Oh my goodness, these pictures of Harrison are just too much cuteness to handle. Love that 7/8 year old boy sweaty hair too. We see this all summer at our house ;)
Dang that looks like a long day of FUN!
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