A Cub Scout No More

My son and I have been active members of the Cub Scouts since he was first able to join in 1st grade.  There is nothing cuter than a little 6 year old boy in uniform, saluting and trying to look very official.

In the captain's chair on the USS Midway, 2009

We love the Scouts.  I love the Scouts.  Everything from the uniforms, to the activities to the ceremonies.  It is a great way to teach your sons about everything from manners, to helping others, to learning to cook, to physical activity and teach the love of the outdoors and camping.  Ask any Scout their favorite part, and it is ALWAYS the camping!

I was a den leader in my son's old Pack.  A few years ago, we switched packs to the one based out of our Church.  We participate in so many activities through the Church, that it seemed a natural fit to bond with the families we were already getting to know.

It has been an amazing few years.  Scouts is like most things, you get out what you put in.  With that in mind, I became a Pack Committee member, helped to organize the monthly Pack meetings, organized the Pack's first campouts and was the lead to sign up and volunteer at the yearly Summer Day Camp week at our local Marine base.  Sounds like a lot, doesn't it?  Well, it was some effort - but I have to say - I loved doing it.  If you don't think hanging out at a Marine base with a bunch of awesome Marines while shooting arrows, firing BB guns and hanging with a bunch of enthusiastic boys is fun, you are crazy!  In fact, I always felt a bit guilty.  Here I was, spending the week with a bunch of really great kids, having fun and seeing them try new experiences, learn to rock climb and make friends and it was the parents who were thanking me for spending time with their kids!!  Parents, if your kids are in Scouting (or YMCA Indian Princesses or any other family based activity) - they are only kids ONCE!  Kids crave our love and attention and that needs to be nurtured.  My son, and all his Pack friends, always felt so proud when they had a parent there. For me, being there was not easy!  I have a job where I don't get paid if I don't work, but I never met a parent who regretted spending time with their kids. Just remember that the next time you want to say "No" when your kid asks to spend time with you.

Last month, my son finished his journey with Cub Scouts.  He worked hard with his amazing Den leader and his whole Den earned their Arrow of Light achievement.  The Arrow of Light is the highest honor you can earn with the Cub Scouts, and the boys were very proud of themselves.  Making it even more special was the fact that I had talked my husband into becoming the Cubmaster and he was able to be an even bigger part of that very special day too.

I'm looking forward to putting together an album of all the adventures we have had as a family with the Cub Scouts.  My two girls were able to participate in most Pack meetings, all the campouts and even the Day camps.  I'm sad to see such a special and important chapter ending, but so excited to see my son now as a Boy Scout.  His first Boy Scout campout is coming up, and unlike the ones in the past, this one will be without me or his siblings.  I imagine how much harder it would be for me right now if I hadn't spent the time and effort to organize our past family campouts with the Cub Scouts.  I truly cherish every memory we made together as a family in this journey.

He did it! Dom with his Arrow of Light plaque

Photo courtesy of As Cute As It Gets