Cub Scouts

When Aubree was still tiny and we lived in Florida, I was called to be a den leader for the Wolf and Bear cub scouts in our ward.  I remember thinking, "Cub Scouts? But we're planning to have 5 daughters!"

Haha!

Nine years and three boys later, I'm feeling very grateful for my early experience with the cub scout program.  When Bryce turned eight, he was super excited to start attending scouts.  I must admit he looks pretty spiffy in his uniform.

 

He currently has two of the best den leaders on the planet.  They take monthly field trips.  The first field trip was to the local Sheriff's office.  

The boys learned about all kinds of cool things like tracking (they took prints of every boy's shoes and explained which boy would be easiest to track), finger-printing, and bomb disabling robots.

 

Shortly after Bryce got his Wolf book, he casually informed me that he'd already read through it twice.  "I keep it in my bed and read it before I'm going to sleep." 

Partially as a result of this self-motivation, he was able to earn his Bobcat rank at his first Pack Meeting in April.

Next up was the quintessential cub scout activity - the Pinewood Derby.  Mark enlisted Uncle Seth for expert advice. 

 

Bryce enjoyed all the preparations, except perhaps the sanding.

In the end, his car ended up right in the middle of the group.  We consider not getting last pretty much a success!

 

It was fun to watch all the races.

 

There was also a lot of yummy treats, which made all the kids consider the event perfectly wonderful.

 

Last week was Cub Scout Day Camp.  Instead of going to the District level Day Camp, this year our ward decided to try doing it on our own.  I had a small role in helping to organize the event, so Bryce has heard a lot about it over the last couple months and the anticipation was running high.

Camp lasted all day Friday and Saturday.  On Friday evening, families were invited to join in for dinner and a campfire program.   

We arrived to find the boys equal parts exhausted and giddy with enthusiasm.

 

We ate dinner listening to stories of making marshmallow shooters, putting up tents, singing silly songs, building a candy dispenser, cooking pizzas and s'mores in solar ovens, hiking with compasses, and crossing the monkey bridge.

After a fantastic dessert of Dutch oven cobbler and ice cream, we all moved from the Pavillion to the fire pit. 

 

 There the dens performed skits, the leaders told stories, we sang more silly songs, and generally just enjoyed the perfectly beautiful PNW evening. 

 

 Our good Bishop tries so hard to get Nellie to like him.  I had to snag a picture of her sitting (mostly) happily with him.  That worked until one of the scouts, acting in a skit, fell down screaming at their feet.  That launched Nell into hysterics.

 

She recovered pretty quickly in my arms, and soon found a friend.  She kept grabbing this little boy and pulling him into tight hugs!

Bryce was back, bright and early, the next morning for another day full of activities.  Since this wasn't a District level camp, we weren't allowed to use real BB guns or bow and arrows.  We solved this problem by making PVC pipe bows and nerf-style arrows.  Even better, each boy got to decorate and take home his very own bow!

Other exciting Saturday activities included: soap carving, pioneering (knot tying), making survival bracelets, kickball, and fire building.

Once again, he came home exhausted, but bouncing with excitement (and thoroughly sugared up)!

He also came home with armloads of goodies.  I'd say Cub Camp was a smashing success!