Boy Scout Camp
Not sure how many on the green screen have boys in scouts or were scouts growing up but I seen some cool things this past week.
First we have a young troop with most of our boys in the 11 year range and only a couple at 14 my oldest son being 13 and youngest 11.
We went from 5 boys to nearly 30 in a couple years and are proud to be working as a boy lead troop.
What was neat this week was seeing some of these young boys turn into young men! Many had never been this far away from home and the first few nights we had some in tears wanting to go home. They all made it through the difficult night each would have and almost like breaking a horse they were different young men the next day. This was the first time we had traveled far enough that is wasn't an easy "pick up" if mom was contacted.
We were also left in charge of another troop that had a boy break down one night early in the week. His dad a former NFL lineman showed up for the Friday night ceremony with an impressive young man that could have then left a day early but wanted to stay another night so he could qualify for Order of the Arrow status qualifications!
Make a long story short these 4 young men fought their fears and the next day were now young men! All of them wanted to stay another week when the end of camp was near!
I was also proud of my 13 year old and one of his friends that signed up for an extreme aquatics adventure. They were taken out of camp Tuesday morning and didn't make it back to camp till Friday evening with no outside contact and weathering two thunderstorms (we were in northern Arkansas).
I was anticipating seeing my son's reaction when they returned thinking he will be ready to call it quits as he has been struggling dealing with younger scouts (for 13 he has really matured both physically and mentally). Late Friday evening walking through the woods to mess hall I saw him and the other boy walking our way and he had a huge grin on his face! He told me it was the best decision he had ever made and told me he wanted to run for senior patrol leader! The other boy would not have made it not for my son. He comes over to my house many time with other boys and never makes it through the night (in my camper or in a tent) without coming inside. He also wanted to run for SPL!
Yep, the week was hot and lasted 7 full days but it was worth it.
For all you guys donating your time to these young men, special thanks although like me I think you see the great things that come from scouting!
First we have a young troop with most of our boys in the 11 year range and only a couple at 14 my oldest son being 13 and youngest 11.
We went from 5 boys to nearly 30 in a couple years and are proud to be working as a boy lead troop.
What was neat this week was seeing some of these young boys turn into young men! Many had never been this far away from home and the first few nights we had some in tears wanting to go home. They all made it through the difficult night each would have and almost like breaking a horse they were different young men the next day. This was the first time we had traveled far enough that is wasn't an easy "pick up" if mom was contacted.
We were also left in charge of another troop that had a boy break down one night early in the week. His dad a former NFL lineman showed up for the Friday night ceremony with an impressive young man that could have then left a day early but wanted to stay another night so he could qualify for Order of the Arrow status qualifications!
Make a long story short these 4 young men fought their fears and the next day were now young men! All of them wanted to stay another week when the end of camp was near!
I was also proud of my 13 year old and one of his friends that signed up for an extreme aquatics adventure. They were taken out of camp Tuesday morning and didn't make it back to camp till Friday evening with no outside contact and weathering two thunderstorms (we were in northern Arkansas).
I was anticipating seeing my son's reaction when they returned thinking he will be ready to call it quits as he has been struggling dealing with younger scouts (for 13 he has really matured both physically and mentally). Late Friday evening walking through the woods to mess hall I saw him and the other boy walking our way and he had a huge grin on his face! He told me it was the best decision he had ever made and told me he wanted to run for senior patrol leader! The other boy would not have made it not for my son. He comes over to my house many time with other boys and never makes it through the night (in my camper or in a tent) without coming inside. He also wanted to run for SPL!
Yep, the week was hot and lasted 7 full days but it was worth it.
For all you guys donating your time to these young men, special thanks although like me I think you see the great things that come from scouting!
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