It's Official

 

So here we are. Scout trailer in front of the house this weekend (now parked at Michelle's Dad's house). Because we're back into the Troop 1010 thing.

First meeting of the "new" troop last Thursday. Five girls there. We'll see how many come to the next meeting with registration forms and payment and a thirst for adventure that far exceeds my own.

I spent about an hour going through our personal camp gear looking for a bucket of Nalgene bottles I swear we had, as we try to figure out what happened to the bucket of Nalgene bottles that went with the scouts. I did finally find ours -- remembered I had a bucket I was using for sitting purposes in the basement bathroom I'm working on. I can't get the bucket open, but it *sounds* like there's some bottles in there. And I'm sure the rest are out in the camper, because Michelle took some to camp this summer. Part of the mystery solved.

A few good things: Their enthusiasm is contagious. And we won't be doing any camping until late January, or whenever they schedule the Winteree.

I go where I'm needed, I guess.

Third Eagle

Just want to shout out to my daughter Alexia, who finished her board of review today for her Eagle Scout rank.

And a shout out to her scoutmaster and my wife Michelle, who has done a lot for the girls of Troop 1010 in the past two years.

Feels like we should be able to retire now. But that won't happen. First of all because Michelle's assistant Scoutmaster would kill us both and not even bother waiting for us to fall asleep before she did so. That and we recognize that we're in Scouting for the long-term, even with our daughter now aging out of the program.

Here she is directing traffic at the last leg of her Eagle project. It was cold that night and she got yelled at by a lady who was tired of waiting in line to see the light parade. But she did it all. I'm very proud of her.

Troop 1010, Two Years On

Two years ago, we started with a flag in a plastic pouch, the Scout salute, and meeting in an elementary school breakroom.

Now we have all but one of the original founding members of Troop 1010 and our daughter Lexie will have her Eagle board of review this weekend.

It’s been a long trip.

We have two other girls closing in on their Eagle rank, with another not far behind. And we’ve added new members, meaning we’ll have one earn her Scout rank at the next court of honor, right on the heels of Lexie earning her Eagle.

It’s been a challenge.

Covid hit, of course, and is still around, making camping and meeting a challenge. But I have to give our troop and leaders credit; they’ve worked awfully hard around restrictions and kept interruptions to a minimum. We did our own home-grown scout camp last summer and are looking to repeat the feat this year. And we only did one virtual campout and I think a month of virtual meetings before we just pulled things together and got it to work.

It's not all been easy. We’ve had to ask for an extension for one of our Scouts – for good reason – and may have to ask for another. We’ve got one who’ll earn her Life rank, but won’t have time for Eagle, and I don’t see an extension working for her. So it’s going like any other troop would, with some motivated, some along for the ride, and most inbetween.

Still, it’s been an enjoyable ride. Here I am nearly a 50-year-old man who’s going to have to do the Hiking merit badge this summer. It’s going to kill me. I’d say cycling didn’t kill me last year, but for the big ride I gave up my bike so the Scoutmaster could be with her scouts after her bike broke. (That was a wild campout to be sure, we stayed in Felt on property owned by Cheryl Siedelman, and slept in tents as 50 mph winds blew on us all night. Yet we survived.

A few interesting things:

1. Both locally and nationally, still fighting against traditionalists who think girls shouldn’t be in BOY scouts. Even among some women, who you’d think would be more sympathetic. Oh well.
2. Dealing with some strong personalities who want to make things challenging. But that’s okay, so far, we’re up to the challenge.
3. I’ve been asked to mentor another all-girl troop in the area. I don’t know why. Probably because I met the minimum requirements: I’m breathing and I said yes. It’ll be fun. We’re already talking with their Scoutmaster about working together anyway.

Here’s to more Scouting. Who knew my life would be like this?

Cycling Merit Badge, Done

So this past weekend, Troop 1010 finished the Cycling Merit Badge.

Unfortunately, I did not get to go on their 22-mile bike ride with them. And fat as I am, I was really looking forward to it. But due to some unexpected bike breakdowns, I got to do only about 3 miles before I handed my bike over to Michelle so she could finish the ride with her girls.

I felt bad, not being able to fix Michelle’s bike, which has a bent rim, and Isaac’s bike, which we brought as a backup. One of his pedals fell off. They are both cheap Walmart bikes, so the question is now do we bother to repair them, or do we put that repair money into getting bike shop bikes that’ll last a while, and be good while they last? The latter is what I favor. But we’ll see where we go, now that Cycling is done and winter approacheth. I may begin moving bikes into the shed for the season, and then worry about it when Christmas rolls around. Michelle may want a new bike. Jury’s out on Isaac. We’ll see.

Pity is the 22-miler they did on the Ashton Rails to Trails, going from Felt to Grainville. Crossing two rather impressive trestle bridges and getting to see a lot of fall foliage. I was looking forward to that. But Liam and I had a good time in the support vehicle, tooling along the roads to meet up with the group, which made excellent time. There was one moment when we thought Bri and Lexie weren’t going to finish; Bri has athsma and Lexie’s back has been hurting her. But they kept each other going through the last seven or so miles, and I think they both felt pretty proud that they’d finished.

The night before we stayed in Felt with Cheryl Seidelmann, camping out on her property. We had lots of rain that night and into the morning, with wind gusts that at 3 am I’m pretty sure were in the 40 mph range. Rather unsettling to sleep in, particularly in a tent that was creaking like an old unanchored swingset. But we all made it through. Heidi, our newest Scout, did not come on the ride with us, and I don’t blame her, after that unsettling night. But she did make it the night through, which was awesome. I think it was the wind and rain that convinced her and her Dad to go home.

And it was probably a good thing, as the emergency backup bike was dragooned into operation before we’d gone 100 yards. We tried to fix Michelle’s rubbing rear brakes, but we final determined the rim was bent, so no matter what we did, the brake was going to be dragging. And then at about Mile Three, the emergency backup bike lost a pedal, putting it out of action. So I loaned Michelle my bike for the rest of the trip, as I explained earlier.

But the good news is this: Of the seven girls we began with merit badge with, five finished it this weekend. Hannah had to bow out, due to shoulder surgery, and Sam decided since she’d already earned the Swimming merit badge, cycling wasn’t necessary (which it isn’t in her case for Eagle).

Me? This is the third time I’ve done this merit badge, though technically I’ve only earned it once. Second round, I was released as Scoutmaster before we could do the 50-miler, and since I couldn’t do the 22-miler, not this round either, though I suppose I could go 22 miles elsewhere and say I did it. I’ve done more Scouting as an adult than I did as a Scout, so I’m hoping we’re giving these girls a good program. I’m hoping we hear from them today, as we put in more time for our Citizenship in the Community merit badge, that they enjoyed their weekend. Just wish I’d been able to go with them.

SEND HELP

So here we are, entering the third week of the stay-at home order. It's supposed to expire on Wednesday. We'll see what happens (and whether I'm off on the date; it's getting hard to tell).

Last week, worked for almost half-time. Today, worked only an hour. Document reviewing is spotty as I'm not sure who's working and who has access and who is just hiding in the woods, hoping to avoid everything as the virus burns itself out.

I'm a little tired of it all.

One ray of sunlight: My class is almost over. Seven papers to grade and I can turn in my grades and be done with teaching until next week. That hardly seems fair. I'm ready for that summer, seven-week break from it.

I'm trying to hold it together. But it's tough. Since I'm home a lot, that means a lot of stuff I'm trying to do at home. That bathroom remodel, for example. I'm still in the reconstruction phase. Finally did get the new heater put in last weekend and managed not to burn the house down doing it. And I'm close to the point I can start putting tile on, to see an end to the job. But not tomorrow. I've got to seal and waterproof things first. But I've got to get done with my class first. I don't need all this happening at once.

Another bright spot: Held our third virtual Scout meeting today. Next week, we'll finish up the Family Life merit badge for all but one Scout, and that's great. We'll also try to do a board of review for our newest Second Class Scout, and we're planning a virtual campout for that following weekend.

But I'm tired. I need a little break from the house. But sneaking out is harder now.

Troop 1010, One Year On

As I sat in the fort at Krupp Scout Hollow, thrilled to be in out of the chill of Troop 1010’s first Winteree, I thought about the past year.

Well, almost a year. If I remember right, we held our first troop meeting at Tiebreaker Elementary in March, after we organized the troop in February – and that after a long drive to the Pocatello scout office because dealing with the folks in Idaho Falls wasn’t something Michelle could do after getting stonewalled with every bit of paper she presented to them. We had six girls, two leaders, a place to meet and a lot of enthusiasm.

We held our meetings. Our first campout was in our backyard, where we tested out tents and looked to see how the girls would get along.

And what a difference almost a year makes.

As with the boys, progress and maturity. Of the original six, five are left, but two more have joined. We have one First Class scout and three others who are so close one trip to the swimming pool will get them there. As of our last meeting, all have a rank – some progressed quickly as with our newest member, and others, more slowly. But progress has been made, and will continue, with other ranks waiting in the wings.

We’ve been to scout camp.

We’ve camped out in all kinds of weather, including the freezing drizzle the night of the Winteree.

Oh, the Winteree.

The girls worked hard. We tried with what little skill we have, and with what little time we had, to get them ready. But they came through. If they didn’t know how to do something, they worked to learn it there. And they improvised a Klondike sled out of some rope, twine, and about $25 worth of lumber I raced to Rigby to buy for them that very morning.

During the award ceremony, I lowered expectations. They might win something, but we were there with a dozen seasoned troops who knew the Winteree competitions like the backs of their hands. They came with runners prepared for their sleds – within the rules. And they came with a lot more experience.

But those girls of ours. What they lacked in skill they made up with teamwork. We’ve had our rough moments, but it seems when the pressure is on, they work well together. And Michelle and I, we didn’t have to do much of anything except carry some staves and a show shovel.

They came home with four second-place ribbons (Knots & Lashings, First Aid, Signaling, and the Sled Race) and took home the traveling trophy for the first day, among those who weren’t staying for the second day (a Sunday, which we decided we just weren’t interested in).

Was it by default because by the time the award ceremony rolled around, those who were staying only for Saturday had mostly left?

I don’t know. I don’t think so. And the presenter, Dave Shaw, was great, because with the presentation of the fourth ribbon, he said “I present this and love the looks of surprise on their faces, to Troop 1010.” I love that they were surprised. I love more that they worked so hard.

I’m still trying to get gear dried out. It may be ready for our next campout at Green Canyon Hot Springs, when we’ll likely push those three to First Class and set the stage for others to get there. By that time we’ll have one Star Scout, which is exciting. Need to work on those merit badges. And two will want to start planning their Eagle projects.

One year. We’ve done a lot. And we’re still doing.

Not Quite Moses' Tablets

We used to poke fun at Dad when he'd take notes for brick jobs on slabs of brick or bits of wood. But it's a habit I picked up. Behold my Troop 1010 inventory list, partly written on a hunk of cardboard ripped from a box in the garage. . . 

Girls *CAN* Do Scout Camp

It’s taken me longer than I’d hoped to write this post. I’ve learned that following up a week of Scout camp with a week of being on staff for cub scout training is not the best way to get things done in a hurry.

But we did learn this: Girls can certainly do Scout Camp.

Not that there was any doubt in my mind they could, of course.

Troop 1010 took four girls to Island Park Scout Camp this year, along with a member of Troop 154 from Shelley. Thanks for coming with us!

The best part for this pseudo-Scoutmaster (for Troop 1010, I’m the Troop Committee Chair and unofficial Assistant Scoutmaster) came when two of our more reluctant swimmers passed the Beginner and Swimmer tests in Pete’s Puddle’s 61-degree water. (Even this old guy passed once again.) Watching those smiles as the swimmers closed in on their final lap was precious.

And note, I’ve seen the same smiles on boys as they reached that milestone.

Combined, the five girls all earned their Tenderfoot Rank and took big leaps forward in completing Second Class and First Class. They also earned an average of six merit badges each.

More importantly, our Senior Patrol Leader showed her colors as a great leader of Scouts, with our Assistant Senior Patrol Leader stepping in and doing well when tasks were delegated to her. Our visiting Scout also caught the vision of what Scouting can be like in a group setting, and says she’s thinking about putting her name in the hat when her troop selects their new Senior Patrol Leader in the not-too-distant future.

All of our Scouts earned the First Aid, Environmental Science, Soil and Water Conservation and Orienteering merit badges, with others earning Indian Lore, Art, Climbing, and Wood Carving. They also got partials on the likes of Astronomy, Emergency Preparedness, and Rifle and Shotgun Shooting. I wish I’d been able to watch the two who earned their Climbing merit badges, but I was busy in other areas of camp, helping out with the essential Trail to Eagle. We’ve already got two girls who have received extensions to earn their Eagles, but they don’t want to waste any time doing so. Getting a number of merit badges under their belts will help – we just need to get them through Second Class and First Class now so they can start the clock on time served for the higher ranks. I’m confident we’ll get them there.

Note: An extension does not equal a watered-down program. The requirements to earn Eagle, the merit badges, and the other ranks haven’t changed a whit. These girls are just being given the time they need to finish the waiting periods required for the higher ranks. And it’ll be a squeeze to get them done. They’ll have to show a lot of motivation and ambition to get things done before the deadline passes.

There was some irony and laughter when we noted we stayed at the Chick Creek campsite at Island Park Scout Camp – not intentionally in any way. I got a good laugh out of the camp director teasing him about the assignment. But there would have been an irony in staying at our originally-assigned campsite – Cache – as some in the Scouting movement might want girls within it hidden away.

Ours was one of two girl troops to attend Island Park Scout Camp this summer. I heard a few querulous statements of “They’re GIRLS?!” from the boys at camp and had a few positive conversations with other Scout leaders about their presence there. One expressed a little sadness that his own girls weren’t all that interested in Scouting. He was ready to help them and others in their area start a girl troop when the opportunity opened but seeing his girls’ disinterest kind of quelled his enthusiasm. I felt bad for him. I didn’t hear any negative comments from adult leaders there. That doesn’t mean they weren’t said, but I sure didn’t hear them. Because Scouts are friendly, courteous, and kind.

Some might leap on this and say, “Aha! Girls aren’t meant for Scouting then, if they’re not interested!” Well, those girls weren’t. But the five we brought up certainly are, and remain so, enthused further by their camp experience. I’ve had boys who were less-than-happy about their Scouting participation. It’s due to temperament and other interests, issues that cross the gender line, to show that Scouting isn’t for certain youth. And while I earned my Eagle, I was at best a lukewarm Scout, one who finished his Eagle paperwork a week before my 18th birthday.

But we have two sons who are Eagle Scouts, and our three children – daughter included, who was one of the Red Cross Certified lifeguards at camp this summer – have worked at Scout camp for years. And my wife, who was the driving force in getting our kids to camp and on staff for eight years now, was awarded the Silver Beaver this year.

I’m calling this year’s Scout camp a success. Our goal is to have our girls through First Class by the end of August, something I think we can accomplish easily.

A side note: On our way home from camp this past weekend, we stopped to visit some old neighbors who recently moved from our neighborhood – we shared a fence line with them – and are building a home in the Ashton, Idaho area. They’re also a die-hard Scouting family, whose children have been to summer Scout camp year after year. It’s practice that’s serving them well as they camp out on their property, using two old outbuildings and a camp trailer as shelter, as they build their house. Their Scouting experience will serve them well as they’re temporarily camped out as they build their house. I’m not sure I could do what they’re doing, but I admire them for the effort they’re putting in. Their Scouting experience is paying off for the entire family.

CAMPOUT!

So Troop 1010’s first campout is complete.

And it may sound totally lame to say the girls (and their leaders, myself included) camped out in our backyard and cooked dinner and breakfast on a Cache cooker in the garage.

The lameness fades, however, when I consider this: Five-sixths of the troop was able to be there. Had we not camped at home, we would have had half of the troop there. One of the attendees is on the fence whether she wants to continue with the troop. Also, two of the girls had 8 am obligations the morning after – as did their leaders, who had to head to a merit badge scramble. So this campout was, in my book, a great success.

Because of this campout:

1. Troop unity improved. Particularly because two of the girls, who had late afternoon obligations, were able to attend, since we were closer to home (literally) than we’d originally planned.

2. Troop rank advancement progressed. The troop finished their final activity for their Cyberchip awards and completed almost all of the rest of the requirements for the Scout rank – as well as getting a leg up on the Tenderfoot rank. Not as important to some, but important to at least two of the girls, who have eyes on earning their Eagle Scout awards.

3. Equipment was tested – and found lacking – but was repaired. We field tested two tents donated to the troop. One had a mild mold problem that we cleaned up the following day, and the other featured weak brass hooks that kept breaking – so we replaced the hooks with carabiners so when we go camping in the wild, the tent won’t be falling down on our heads.

And since we’re starting this troop from scratch from an equipment standpoint, we were able to make a list of the things we need to make future campouts bigger successes. Clearly, I need to start scouring the thrift stores for big pots in which we can boil water. Something we should have done earlier when our son worked at one of the local thrift stores and had an employee discount.

I hope the girls went home Saturday morning thinking they’d had a good time and would go with the troop again the next time we camp. The location will certainly be better the next time we go.

Isaac is an Eagle. Finally

I probably shouldn't even say finally. Because the court of honor is still 24 hours away and the last time we scheduled a court of honor and we had to cancel it because the guest of honor was sick.

So we're hoping this one sticks. Tomorrow night, 6 pm.

And you might think Isaac represents the last of the Eagle Scouts in our family. Not so if our daughter earns her Eagle, which is now possible with Scouts BSA.

Gotta get her through that first rank, though. They've changed it quite a bit since I was a kid . . .

Camping

I learned camping in Scouts. I learned even though I was the fat kid, I could still enjoy the outdoors. Even hiking. Even winter camping.

I re-learned camping when my wife and I had kids and we decided having kids wasn't going to alter what we did for fun. I learned even little kids like to wander around in the outdoors, watch fires, throw rocks, listen to the coyotes howl and the owls hoot.

My kids learned camping thanks to family camping, but also to eight years (and counting) spending the summer at scout camp as my wife worked there. They learned camping can help them learn, and can help them become teachers.

I re-learned camping again when I was called as scoutmaster. I learned scouts like watching scoutmasters go swimming, hike, throw rocks, build fires, take the polar bear challenge, get scratched up and dirty, just like them.

I'm going to re-learn camping yet again as I take on the role of scoutmaster a second time. This time with a troop of girls who want to learn the same stuff they've seen their brothers learning for years.

I can't wait to learn it all over again.