Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Done is Done or Vacation Time for Dad
This is something else I found in one of those Computer Shoe Boxes. It was written the week following our Webelos Crossover Ceremony. I hope you enjoy it.
Dae
=======================================================================
Done is Done or Vacation Time for Dad
Well, Cub Scouts is done. My boys took their walk over the bridge and are now Boy Scouts. We had 4 of 5 boys continue on into Boy Scouts.
The fifth has decided to put all his attention into playing Tennis. It's something he really enjoys and wants to make the school team. We talked a bout it a while at the camp out and I let him know that I was very proud of him for making his decision on his own. He's a great kid.
The Crossover_
We went to a camp about 2 hours away Friday night and got our camp set up. We had been told this camp isn't used much and that it is for really "roughing it". We had no idea. When we arrived at our first camp (we had two spots reserved), it was a barely open area in the trees. Leaves, sticks, and various small plants covered the whole spot. The only thing that indicated that we were in the right spot was a sign and an old truck rim for the fire ring.
We decided to see what the other site looked like.
This site wasn't much better, but it was more open and had three truck rims. We decided this was the place to set up camp. Everyone started clearing areas off and got the tents set up. This went uneventful, for the most part, and we had ourselves a campsite.
Finding wood to get a fire started wasn't a problem. We just used the tings we moved to clear spots for the tents. After getting everything unloaded and settled in, (Dads had the folding chairs set up around the fire), out came the hot dogs.
It wasn't long before the boys had their fill and were off into the woods to explore. We had been told that this camp had a lot of swampy areas, so we cautioned the boys on this. As it turned the surrounding farms and roadways and been dredged recently and the low areas were all dry. The ground everywhere as still soft, but no mud was to be seen anywhere.
While re-arranging our supplies around the camp, (you never put it in the right spot the first time), the Camp Director came by to welcome us. I'm sorry I don't remember his name because this guy is a world of knowledge about his camp. As it turned out, there were no other campers on the road we were on and there were two more camps further up. Greg, (the Cub master), and I decided that we would go check them out in the morning.
The rest of the night was spent sitting around the fire, telling stories, jokes, singing a few silly songs, and eating. (Did I ever mention that we eat very well on our camp outs? I've heard it compared to a Baptist Revival.) We did hear several owls calling out in the woods around us. Around 10:30/ 11:00 it was lights out and everyone went to bed. (Except Greg and I, which is a tradition thing really. We sit up and talk about the day’s events and the next day.)
Saturday started great. I woke up about 7 am and got the fire going. Shortly later Greg was up making his world famous Camp Coffee. (Now that you know about the world famous camp coffee, I'm sure you all know whom I am talking about now.) Before long the rest of the camp was stirring and everyone was gathering around the fire. We did have one boy lagging, (yep it was Jory). So I got out the tinhorn and welcomed him to the world of the waking with a nice bugle call. He got up.
After a great pancake and sausage breakfast, Greg and I took our hike to see the other campsites. The first one I totally missed. Remember the one I talked about from Friday? This one didn't have the old truck rim. (I would guess that the third one at our camp belonged here).
When we reached the last site we looked at each other and said, "This is for the crossover". It was perfect.
As you approached on the road, it was right off on the right. You had a great place for all the parents and siblings to gather. In front of them was ... No wait; I'm going to save the description for the actual ceremony. You just need to know right now that this spot needed minimal work to be the exact spot I had pictured when thinking about the crossover.
I won't give you all the details of the day that would take book to do. I will say we had a great time. Hiking, playing games, telling more stories, learning knots, compass, and of course eating. We had hobo dinners for lunch (which the boys all helped preparing), and Greg's world famous Dump Cake. (Yeah this guy is famous for lots of things. But you may notice a pattern.)
We did have bits of excitement throughout the day. We opened my Med Kit more times on Saturday than we have for the last five years of Scouting.
We had one cut, and poke from a stick, a burn (adult leader), and a twisted ankle (teenage sibling to a scout). And I took some time to teach a life lesson that I seen in a movie. Sounds silly but I think you will agree that it is a good one.
Have each boy break a stick in two. Then break those, and those, and so forth. Then have him tie a string around those making bundle. Now have him break the bundle. When he says he can't, it's too strong, you simple reply, "That's family".
Around 8:00 pm we began gathering for the campfire and crossover ceremonies.
We all gathered in single file. We had explained to everyone that this was a very special ceremony and we had to be quiet. Greg lit his Scout torch to guide us gave the signal, (which was to be using the tin horn but I didn't do so well with it this time). We ended up using a whistle, and then off we moved toward the ceremony site. As we began walking you could hear a drum begin.
Reaching the site, we moved into position with everyone facing a log on which sat a drum, behind it was another log on which sat the drummer wearing a round top black hat with beading and feathers. This was Chuck Mulch (I hope I got his last name spelled right). Behind Chuck was the fire ring and behind that were four bundles of sticks standing upright in "Teepee' fashion. To the left of the camp was a bridge leading up a hill and on the other side was a burning fire with a Boy Scout Troop Leader and an Eagle Scout.
As we all came in and formed a semi-circle around the front of the log the drumming ended and Chuck asked us to be seated. He then moved to the fire ring. He stood over the fire ring arms raised high and asked the Lord to bless our ceremony with the Scout Spirit. He stood there, waved his arms several times and spoke more words, calling on the Scout Spirit to come forth. This went on for 2 or 3 minutes, (which seemed like an eternity at the time). You could have heard a bug crawling on the ground. The look of wonder was clear on the faces of Scouts and parents alike. Those looks changed to aw as thick white smoke began pouring from the fire ring. It totally engulfed Chuck. Stepping through the smoke his took the Scout torch and gave the fire life. (The fire was actually supposed to light with the smoke, but the chemicals fizzled.)
Chuck welcomed everyone to the ceremony and said a few words about scouting and the long road that our boys had traveled to be where they are now. Then he gave the ceremony over to Greg.
Greg got things going right away by having the boys lead us in songs. Everyone had a chance to get up and lead a song that they choose. A couple of my favorites were Purple People Eater, and Little Bunny Foo Foo. We were having a great time.
After the songs and a couple stories, Greg asked if Chuck would like to tell a story too. Chuck told the story, "Top of the Mountain". This is a great story that tells of several Indian boys that are sent out by the shaman on a walk. Each is to bring back something from where he turned around to come home. I won't do the whole story for you, but I will say, Chuck does it wonderfully.
At the end of the story he called me up to bring forth the Webelos.
As the boys came up they took positions behind each of the teepee bundles. I talked about how each of them were like one of the boys from the story Chuck told, then asked them to take fire form the Pack Fire to light their own fires. (This was to symbolize that the boys had moved on and were no longer part of the Pack and each now had a fire of his own.)
I spoke to each boy individually about the bridge before him being a choice. As I asked each if you would continue his life journey they each answered, "I will continue with Troop 745". I told them to take their fire to guide them. They would light their torch from their fire and cross the bridge reciting the Scout Law. As the reached the other side, they stopped and asked permission to enter the Boy Scout area. As each was given permission to enter he added his fire to the Troop fire. Adding their strength to the Troop.
After the ceremony was over one of my parents came up and asked to speak to the group. She had a plaque for Greg and one for me. They were plaques, which said thanks and were made by the boys in the Den.
It was a great ceremony and a great time.
The rest of the night was spent telling more stories, jokes, eating and singing. I even taught everyone the words to Louie Louie. (Yes I carry them with me always.)
I guess one thing to take from this is no matter what happens, it can always work out. Roll with it, move forward, and do your best.
Thanks for five great years. And yeah, I know there really isn't a vacation time for Dad now. But you know what? What's a vacation without family anyway?
Webelos LeaderPack 747,
Elkhart, IN.
Dae
=======================================================================
Done is Done or Vacation Time for Dad
Well, Cub Scouts is done. My boys took their walk over the bridge and are now Boy Scouts. We had 4 of 5 boys continue on into Boy Scouts.
The fifth has decided to put all his attention into playing Tennis. It's something he really enjoys and wants to make the school team. We talked a bout it a while at the camp out and I let him know that I was very proud of him for making his decision on his own. He's a great kid.
The Crossover_
We went to a camp about 2 hours away Friday night and got our camp set up. We had been told this camp isn't used much and that it is for really "roughing it". We had no idea. When we arrived at our first camp (we had two spots reserved), it was a barely open area in the trees. Leaves, sticks, and various small plants covered the whole spot. The only thing that indicated that we were in the right spot was a sign and an old truck rim for the fire ring.
We decided to see what the other site looked like.
This site wasn't much better, but it was more open and had three truck rims. We decided this was the place to set up camp. Everyone started clearing areas off and got the tents set up. This went uneventful, for the most part, and we had ourselves a campsite.
Finding wood to get a fire started wasn't a problem. We just used the tings we moved to clear spots for the tents. After getting everything unloaded and settled in, (Dads had the folding chairs set up around the fire), out came the hot dogs.
It wasn't long before the boys had their fill and were off into the woods to explore. We had been told that this camp had a lot of swampy areas, so we cautioned the boys on this. As it turned the surrounding farms and roadways and been dredged recently and the low areas were all dry. The ground everywhere as still soft, but no mud was to be seen anywhere.
While re-arranging our supplies around the camp, (you never put it in the right spot the first time), the Camp Director came by to welcome us. I'm sorry I don't remember his name because this guy is a world of knowledge about his camp. As it turned out, there were no other campers on the road we were on and there were two more camps further up. Greg, (the Cub master), and I decided that we would go check them out in the morning.
The rest of the night was spent sitting around the fire, telling stories, jokes, singing a few silly songs, and eating. (Did I ever mention that we eat very well on our camp outs? I've heard it compared to a Baptist Revival.) We did hear several owls calling out in the woods around us. Around 10:30/ 11:00 it was lights out and everyone went to bed. (Except Greg and I, which is a tradition thing really. We sit up and talk about the day’s events and the next day.)
Saturday started great. I woke up about 7 am and got the fire going. Shortly later Greg was up making his world famous Camp Coffee. (Now that you know about the world famous camp coffee, I'm sure you all know whom I am talking about now.) Before long the rest of the camp was stirring and everyone was gathering around the fire. We did have one boy lagging, (yep it was Jory). So I got out the tinhorn and welcomed him to the world of the waking with a nice bugle call. He got up.
After a great pancake and sausage breakfast, Greg and I took our hike to see the other campsites. The first one I totally missed. Remember the one I talked about from Friday? This one didn't have the old truck rim. (I would guess that the third one at our camp belonged here).
When we reached the last site we looked at each other and said, "This is for the crossover". It was perfect.
As you approached on the road, it was right off on the right. You had a great place for all the parents and siblings to gather. In front of them was ... No wait; I'm going to save the description for the actual ceremony. You just need to know right now that this spot needed minimal work to be the exact spot I had pictured when thinking about the crossover.
I won't give you all the details of the day that would take book to do. I will say we had a great time. Hiking, playing games, telling more stories, learning knots, compass, and of course eating. We had hobo dinners for lunch (which the boys all helped preparing), and Greg's world famous Dump Cake. (Yeah this guy is famous for lots of things. But you may notice a pattern.)
We did have bits of excitement throughout the day. We opened my Med Kit more times on Saturday than we have for the last five years of Scouting.
We had one cut, and poke from a stick, a burn (adult leader), and a twisted ankle (teenage sibling to a scout). And I took some time to teach a life lesson that I seen in a movie. Sounds silly but I think you will agree that it is a good one.
Have each boy break a stick in two. Then break those, and those, and so forth. Then have him tie a string around those making bundle. Now have him break the bundle. When he says he can't, it's too strong, you simple reply, "That's family".
Around 8:00 pm we began gathering for the campfire and crossover ceremonies.
We all gathered in single file. We had explained to everyone that this was a very special ceremony and we had to be quiet. Greg lit his Scout torch to guide us gave the signal, (which was to be using the tin horn but I didn't do so well with it this time). We ended up using a whistle, and then off we moved toward the ceremony site. As we began walking you could hear a drum begin.
Reaching the site, we moved into position with everyone facing a log on which sat a drum, behind it was another log on which sat the drummer wearing a round top black hat with beading and feathers. This was Chuck Mulch (I hope I got his last name spelled right). Behind Chuck was the fire ring and behind that were four bundles of sticks standing upright in "Teepee' fashion. To the left of the camp was a bridge leading up a hill and on the other side was a burning fire with a Boy Scout Troop Leader and an Eagle Scout.
As we all came in and formed a semi-circle around the front of the log the drumming ended and Chuck asked us to be seated. He then moved to the fire ring. He stood over the fire ring arms raised high and asked the Lord to bless our ceremony with the Scout Spirit. He stood there, waved his arms several times and spoke more words, calling on the Scout Spirit to come forth. This went on for 2 or 3 minutes, (which seemed like an eternity at the time). You could have heard a bug crawling on the ground. The look of wonder was clear on the faces of Scouts and parents alike. Those looks changed to aw as thick white smoke began pouring from the fire ring. It totally engulfed Chuck. Stepping through the smoke his took the Scout torch and gave the fire life. (The fire was actually supposed to light with the smoke, but the chemicals fizzled.)
Chuck welcomed everyone to the ceremony and said a few words about scouting and the long road that our boys had traveled to be where they are now. Then he gave the ceremony over to Greg.
Greg got things going right away by having the boys lead us in songs. Everyone had a chance to get up and lead a song that they choose. A couple of my favorites were Purple People Eater, and Little Bunny Foo Foo. We were having a great time.
After the songs and a couple stories, Greg asked if Chuck would like to tell a story too. Chuck told the story, "Top of the Mountain". This is a great story that tells of several Indian boys that are sent out by the shaman on a walk. Each is to bring back something from where he turned around to come home. I won't do the whole story for you, but I will say, Chuck does it wonderfully.
At the end of the story he called me up to bring forth the Webelos.
As the boys came up they took positions behind each of the teepee bundles. I talked about how each of them were like one of the boys from the story Chuck told, then asked them to take fire form the Pack Fire to light their own fires. (This was to symbolize that the boys had moved on and were no longer part of the Pack and each now had a fire of his own.)
I spoke to each boy individually about the bridge before him being a choice. As I asked each if you would continue his life journey they each answered, "I will continue with Troop 745". I told them to take their fire to guide them. They would light their torch from their fire and cross the bridge reciting the Scout Law. As the reached the other side, they stopped and asked permission to enter the Boy Scout area. As each was given permission to enter he added his fire to the Troop fire. Adding their strength to the Troop.
After the ceremony was over one of my parents came up and asked to speak to the group. She had a plaque for Greg and one for me. They were plaques, which said thanks and were made by the boys in the Den.
It was a great ceremony and a great time.
The rest of the night was spent telling more stories, jokes, eating and singing. I even taught everyone the words to Louie Louie. (Yes I carry them with me always.)
I guess one thing to take from this is no matter what happens, it can always work out. Roll with it, move forward, and do your best.
Thanks for five great years. And yeah, I know there really isn't a vacation time for Dad now. But you know what? What's a vacation without family anyway?
Webelos LeaderPack 747,
Elkhart, IN.
# posted by Daeoin Arlson @ 10:43 AM 
