This past weekend it was all Scouts, all the time for my family. And can I just say that I love the Scouting program; I am seriously all about it. I was a Girl Scout myself for many years; I've been a Cub Scout Den Leader, Brownie troop leader, and Junior troop leader, a cookie mommy, a day camp But have mercy, but it does all seem to happen at once; it wears on a girl.
February is a big month in the scouting world (for both boys and girls) because of this man:
Lord Robert Baden-Powell,universally called "B-P" by scouts
. . . and this woman:
Olave, Lady Baden-Powellcalled the "Chief Guide" by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts;
called "that woman" by early Boy Scouts,
who were jealous of her influence over B-P
Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world celebrate "Thinking Day" in February because Lady Baden-Powell's birthday was February 22. Thinking Day is a celebration of international friendship and understanding. Cub Scouts also celebrate the anniversary of Scouting in February with their "Blue and Gold Banquet," where "banquet" equals "pizza." This is because Lord Baden-Powell's birthday was also on February 22.
OK, so get this! Yes, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell shared a birthday -- exactly thirty-three years apart! Scandal! One can see why some early Boy Scouts were suspicious of Olave; "gold-digger" was one of the kinder things she was called. I was gossiping about these two to a fellow Boy Scout volunteer (the poor couple have been dead for decades . . . oh, well!) and he asked, "I wonder what kind of merit badge old B-P got for that maneuver?"
I'm thinking maybe Olave earned the badge, though . . . .
But reluctantly, I will put aside the ancient gossip to tell you that the sunny girl and I went to Thinking Day on Friday night, and really did have a swell time. She and her troop learned about Ecuador, and presided at a table where they served fried plantains to the daring eaters in the crowd.
I was completely mesmerized by this urchin's awesome hat. Don't you just need it?
OK, so get this! Yes, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell shared a birthday -- exactly thirty-three years apart! Scandal! One can see why some early Boy Scouts were suspicious of Olave; "gold-digger" was one of the kinder things she was called. I was gossiping about these two to a fellow Boy Scout volunteer (the poor couple have been dead for decades . . . oh, well!) and he asked, "I wonder what kind of merit badge old B-P got for that maneuver?"
I'm thinking maybe Olave earned the badge, though . . . .
I was completely mesmerized by this urchin's awesome hat. Don't you just need it?
These Girl Scouts rested after attending Carnivale in Brazil.
The older girls who organized the event frequently used the "sign's up" gesture in a vain attempt to quiet the chattering hordes. Futile. . . .
So then on Saturday we attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. At this ceremony a young man who has earned Boy Scouting's highest award is formally recognized. It's a big deal, people -- our Congressman attended!
Other Eagle Scouts help to honor the newest member of their exclusive group; here's the pink-hatted boy from the ski trip.
He cleans up pretty well, doesn't he?!
Here's a quizzical, not to say annoyed, gaze from the tall boy. This is to make up for the fact that unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the new Eagle Scout; the kid gave "remarks about his experience as a Scout" and I have never laughed harder in my life. He was hilarious, I'm telling you. He also created the tall boy's new motto: noting that the Boy Scout motto is "be prepared," the Eaglet commented, "As many of you know that has been a difficult motto for me to embrace. [Much guffawing and snorting from scouts who know this first-hand] I feel that my motto is 'be just prepared enough.'" It brought down the house.
*Let's see if Coleen will tell us why the title of this post made her spit her tea out.
The older girls who organized the event frequently used the "sign's up" gesture in a vain attempt to quiet the chattering hordes. Futile. . . .
So then on Saturday we attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. At this ceremony a young man who has earned Boy Scouting's highest award is formally recognized. It's a big deal, people -- our Congressman attended!
Other Eagle Scouts help to honor the newest member of their exclusive group; here's the pink-hatted boy from the ski trip.
He cleans up pretty well, doesn't he?!
Here's a quizzical, not to say annoyed, gaze from the tall boy. This is to make up for the fact that unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the new Eagle Scout; the kid gave "remarks about his experience as a Scout" and I have never laughed harder in my life. He was hilarious, I'm telling you. He also created the tall boy's new motto: noting that the Boy Scout motto is "be prepared," the Eaglet commented, "As many of you know that has been a difficult motto for me to embrace. [Much guffawing and snorting from scouts who know this first-hand] I feel that my motto is 'be just prepared enough.'" It brought down the house.*Let's see if Coleen will tell us why the title of this post made her spit her tea out.
This brought back lots of memories of my years in Cub Scouts with my boys, and not all of them were good memories. The worst one was when I stabbed myself in the palm of my hand with an Exacto knife while helping him with his Pinewood Derby car. I was 1/4 of the way to being crucified so my son's "Tommy the Green Power Ranger" car might go a fraction of a second faster. Yeah, good memories . . . In other news Tall Boy is so cute. You must be so proud.
ReplyDeleteThe tall boy cut his own thumb open working on his Pinewood Derby car. He went with the theme and named the car "The Bloodmobile." Its number? 9-1-1, obviously. It lost every race.
ReplyDelete"...and obey the Law of the Pack!" Isn't that the Girl Guide/Scout motto? Or, maybe the Pledge of Allegiance? Or, maybe we Brownie mommies (and by "we" here, I really mean "me") were just a tad confused. I'm just sayin'...Off for another cup of tea! xxoox, Coleen
ReplyDeleteP.S. Nice tattoo ads to showcase the seemingly innocuous world of scouting! ~Coleen
ReplyDeleteCute kid :) I loved the "just prepared enough"!
ReplyDeleteGreen monster jumps out "rawwwwwr".
ReplyDeleteI wish I got to do scouts or even navy cadets.
It always looked like fun!
I recall that the tall boy was working on an Eagle project last spring - where does that all stand? Has he had his COH yet? If not, let me know when - I would like to attend if possible. I like going to ceremonies of other troops and I would like to see this one, seeing as how I was there at the very beginning, some 30+ years ago.
ReplyDeleteMy son was reluctant about his own Eagle COH, being one who does not like to be the center of attention. But he acquiesced and was glad he did . . . and his parents had a day to remember.
The tall boy had his Board of Review on his 18th birthday. The Court of Honor will be next month; he and his best pal will have a joint ceremony. Rob, you know the pal's parents, too -- or at least his uncles. How's that for a teaser?!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Coleen and "the Law of the Pack," the problem comes about when a Brownie mommy is also a Cub Scout leader; one never is sure which promise one should be spouting.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Girl Scout Promise somehow seems to fizzle out in comparison. The Pledge of Allegiance, we feel, would also be jazzed up remarkably if we said, "with liberty and justice for all -- and obey the Law of the Pack."
We both just really believe in the Law of the Pack.
What is the date? Will it be a weekend? And would that best pal be a relation of those wild and crazy Russell boys?
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Rob! I suspect since they will both be there it'll be like a reunion for you!
ReplyDelete