Had A BLAST

This weekend was my first activity as Cub Master - WE WENT CAMPING, 72 people. It was a bit overwhelming at first, and then it happened.  All of the veteran scout parents jumped right in and started putting up the canopy, positioning the trailer, pulling out the chuck boxes and laughing it up.

There were more new scouts and parents at this event than there were vets.  All of the new parents jumped right in and got themselves acclimated to how things run.  I was a proud Cub Master.  After we got back to the hut, they were still saying what a great time they had.

One of our dens put it together and once we got to the campgrounds - Elis took control and got it running like a fine tuned machine.  Of course it got cold at night, but once I put on the sweatpants, got in the sleeping bag - it got warm very quickly.  Forget a good nights sleep.  My son slept like a rock.  In the tent next me was a new dad and his kids.  The son was a little uncomfortable sleeping outside for the first time.  But dad calmed him down and  everything went fine the rest of the night.  In another tent there was a cute little two year old that reminded me of Boo from Monsters Inc. that cried all night long.  I later found out they didn't bring an air mattress for her - they used pads and sleeping bags - not a good mix.  One of my boys went on his own for the first time and he amazed even me.  I never had to look for him.  I never had to tell him to go and take a shower.  I didn't have to tell him to go to bed.  He put up his own tent, found his own spot and shared with another boy.  His mom was so worried and when I told her how well he did, she was so relieved.

These boys had a great weekend.  Who wouldn't with 69 other packs with carnival style games going and getting candy at every single one of the game?  They shot BB Guns and did Archery, rowed canoes and hunted for gold, spoke on ham radios to kids in 25 other countries, took a hayride and much more.

The best times were around the fire at night.  Getting to know the parents better, listening to the boys joke around, and them getting to know more about me.  I learned more about myself this weekend than I've ever learned before.  I now know that I have what it takes to stand in the gap when things seem to falling apart all around me.  I learned to listen to the story of fellow parents because we actually have more in common than I originally thought.  I learned that we have some very respectful and well mannered boys.  I learned that everyone really does not want to be the chief over everything, but they are willing to share the wealth because they understand that one day, their son is moving in the boy scouts and someone needs to know the job they are currently doing.  I learned that people just need to asked to help and then see the results of how great they are at the task you've asked them to take on.  I've learned that nothing is so bad that you don't already know the answer to.  The food was out of this world.  Cooking at camp is some good eats.  Peach Cobbler cooked in a dutch oven over an open fire - THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!

I sat outside on Saturday night all alone after everyone had gone to bed, looked up at the stars.  When I found Orion, I looked at his belt and his sword and immediately thought about the full armor of God.  When you wear truth - you never have to look back and try to remember what you said or where you came from.  Scouting is a great experience.  I through another log on the fire and thought about the days events - and I smiled as I remembered all of the little things.  As for the sword on Orion's belt - to us it represents the Spirit.  Like the Spirit - it slices through all kinds of problems, issues, temptations and every other hinderance that tries to interrupt your day.

My son was excited, enjoyed the day with his friends and rested with a smile on his face.  All the way home, he and I talked about the best part of the trip.  He really enjoyed the camp fire best while making s'mores.  So, at the end of the day - would I do it again - in a New York minute.  I am growing very attached to this pack and I just pray for guidance and direction from God, Chris and the leaders.  Like I said - I had a blast.