Boy have times changed..This blog posting is not quite about scouting, ok, its not about scouting at all, but it is about one of my children. C1, my 13yr old, first class Boy Scout.
It was in the news today about how the social media is affecting our children negatively. My first thought was 'hogwash'. But, tonight, I realized, it is effecting my son and I wonder how many other kids it affects. (I never know if its effect or affect)!
My son has been very moody lately. he spends 90% of his time on FB or txting. (its still cold here in the midwest, to cold and muddy to be outside playing yet) I realized tonight how much he is being effected by the thoughts and opinions that are bombarding him every waking second of his day.
I have to admit, I txt and FB all day long too. But its innocuous stuff. Comments about my kids or dogs, or the vacuum. I'm Txting a gf about a funny sign, or does she want to meet for lunch. We as adults, txt or fb about unimportant stuff.
Kids are not txting or fbing about stupid unimportant stuff. Or at least my son isn't . Its always about drama...and in his world, its major drama. whose fighting with who, who likes him or who doesn't, who said what about who. Yes, we had this drama as kids, but when we got off the bus or walked in the front door, it was gone. It was left behind. Yes, there were occasional phone calls, but for the most part, it was left behind.
Not anymore. Now my son is being bombarded with this stuff every moment he is awake. This is what is causing the warnings on the news.
Imagine it like this...Someone in your family is very sick or dying or going through a divorce or whatever. They are close to you..it is very painful. And you are talking about it every single moment of your waking day, for days on end. It will destroy you! I'm sure many of you have been there, know the feeling, know the pain.
Imagine your kids doing this, its what they are doing. In their world, their drama is just as painful, and they are living it every waking moment of the day. It is destroying them emotionally.
C2, my daughter, 11yo, went to neighbors house to be with her gf's. She came home after a few minutes. I asked why, she said cause they were only sitting around texting. WTF! All of the girls were in the same room, not talking to eachother, but txting others.
So much for the art of conversation! Now my daughter wants a cell phone so she can participate with her gf's while sitting in a room not talking to each other but texting others????
I really really think that this is a huge red flag! IM, Texting, FB. We have to be very very careful here. Our children are losing touch with society as a whole. They are losing the ability to carry on a conversation, they are not learning what should be said, or what should not. They are just saying it. I have always worked hard on teaching my kids what to say, what not to say, etc etc. I stand next to them when they are on the phone (when they are younger) and coach them on what to say etc etc. With Txting, IM, FB, I dont have the ability to help them, to coach them.
Some people may call this spying...NOPE! Its teaching! Ok, maybe a little spying, but how else is he/she going to learn what is right and what is wrong. If you think that your parents never read your notes, or looked in your diary as a kid, YOU ARE WRONG!
Just because our kids are not in our hair anymore, they still need us, now more than ever!
Hubby and I discussed this with our son, and have decided to limit his phone and fb time. We told him it is not because he is in trouble, but because he needs to turn his brain off. Take some time away from the drama...relax...
I think he understands...I hope he does...I'm sure he will when he becomes a parent........
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Selling Stuff for all Branches of Scouts
One of the things that can be the most difficult and time consuming is selling stuff. Out here our Cub Scout sells greenery as does our boy scout. Boy, that can be difficult. My BS also sells popcorn(who wants some) and mulch. Not to mention Girl scout Cookies!!!
First, competing sales for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. How do we do it? I look at it this way. My CS has a limit that they suggest, and he gets a percentage back in the form of a gift card. My oldest gets a percentage into his scout account to use towards camps. I think this is a no brainer :) My youngest does not need a gift card to spend on junk at the store. My oldest does have to learn that in order to attend an expensive camp, he has to earn money to pay for it. I dont care if you as a family make six figures or are hardly getting by.
A scout is Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future.
Trust me, I know what a pain it is to be marching up and down the street knocking on doors asking if they want to buy things. And yes, I used to do it with one in a stroller, and one in a wagon while I followed my now BS from house to house. I would much rather be knitting. But, it is a HUGE lesson to be taught. My BS wants to go to camp..he must earn his way. And, its a great way to meet your neighbors!
Now, in our CS pack, we do require a min sold, only because last year we had to many who didn't and would up in the red. We suggested that if a scout did not sell the min amount the parents would be 'ASKED' to donate $100. I could not believe how many parents chose not to be inconvenienced by selling and just wrote a check. It was shameful. They personally didn't even buy something from their son.
Everything we do with our children is a wonderful chance to teach them something, whether they like it or not! Dont pass this opportunity up!
Now when it comes to GS cookies, that is not even a stretch. Who doesn't want GS cookies!? For some reason though, its always freezing or a blizzard when we have to start selling. One year we had to drive from house to house because the snow drifts were to high to walk through! I would love to petition to move the sales from Feb to July!
Because GS's dont have the same type reward system, outside of cookie dough, its entirely up to you if you want to share sales or just let them fend for themselves. I dont have that problem so I dont know. One of my GF's has that problem and they share sales. *shrug*
You know the worst part of selling....DELIVERING!!! When my oldest was a CS, it would take me three trips to pick up all of the greenary! AT least now we have a trailer!
Be prepared, if you have never sold before to have to eat the cost of something because someone has gone out of town for the month. Personally, we are always off on our counts. I never know why. Probably because someone pays at the time of ordering and I pocket the cash and forget what its for :)
Remember, this is a great learning experience, and teaches the kids how to talk to all different types of people, count up orders and add money for the younger kids. It teaches the older kids how to earn something they want! Yes, we have to suffer, traipsing through the cold, wet icky weather. Dragging our kids away from the computer/tv/video game. yes, its tempting to give in and not do it. But, you were doomed the day you signed him/her up for scouts :)
Happy selling!
First, competing sales for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. How do we do it? I look at it this way. My CS has a limit that they suggest, and he gets a percentage back in the form of a gift card. My oldest gets a percentage into his scout account to use towards camps. I think this is a no brainer :) My youngest does not need a gift card to spend on junk at the store. My oldest does have to learn that in order to attend an expensive camp, he has to earn money to pay for it. I dont care if you as a family make six figures or are hardly getting by.
A scout is Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future.
Trust me, I know what a pain it is to be marching up and down the street knocking on doors asking if they want to buy things. And yes, I used to do it with one in a stroller, and one in a wagon while I followed my now BS from house to house. I would much rather be knitting. But, it is a HUGE lesson to be taught. My BS wants to go to camp..he must earn his way. And, its a great way to meet your neighbors!
Now, in our CS pack, we do require a min sold, only because last year we had to many who didn't and would up in the red. We suggested that if a scout did not sell the min amount the parents would be 'ASKED' to donate $100. I could not believe how many parents chose not to be inconvenienced by selling and just wrote a check. It was shameful. They personally didn't even buy something from their son.
Everything we do with our children is a wonderful chance to teach them something, whether they like it or not! Dont pass this opportunity up!
Now when it comes to GS cookies, that is not even a stretch. Who doesn't want GS cookies!? For some reason though, its always freezing or a blizzard when we have to start selling. One year we had to drive from house to house because the snow drifts were to high to walk through! I would love to petition to move the sales from Feb to July!
Because GS's dont have the same type reward system, outside of cookie dough, its entirely up to you if you want to share sales or just let them fend for themselves. I dont have that problem so I dont know. One of my GF's has that problem and they share sales. *shrug*
You know the worst part of selling....DELIVERING!!! When my oldest was a CS, it would take me three trips to pick up all of the greenary! AT least now we have a trailer!
Be prepared, if you have never sold before to have to eat the cost of something because someone has gone out of town for the month. Personally, we are always off on our counts. I never know why. Probably because someone pays at the time of ordering and I pocket the cash and forget what its for :)
Remember, this is a great learning experience, and teaches the kids how to talk to all different types of people, count up orders and add money for the younger kids. It teaches the older kids how to earn something they want! Yes, we have to suffer, traipsing through the cold, wet icky weather. Dragging our kids away from the computer/tv/video game. yes, its tempting to give in and not do it. But, you were doomed the day you signed him/her up for scouts :)
Happy selling!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Your new boy scouts first campout..what to expect...
Well, now that I am back from the dead, or the flu that my cub scout gave me, I can head back to my advice on your new Boy Scout.
Previously, I talked about gear...I re read this today and boy, was there foreshadowing I was getting sick or what...talk about a scattered post!
So...now...Your sons first camp out and his first week long camp!
DO NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO! This is that point where I talked about letting go! Now is the time! He will do just fine without you! If he gets homesick, they will handle it! Yes, not the same way a mom would, but they will not tie him to a tree and tell him to deal with it. Remember, they are parents also!
Step one! BE EXCITED FOR YOUR SON TO LEAVE! Dont even think about saying I'll miss you! Say it in your head a hundred times, but dont say it out loud! He is going to be nervous in the first place, your job is to kick him out the door! If he says, I dont want to go, tell him you will be fine, you will have fun and help him pack. The leaders know that all new boys will be nervous!
He has his big pack(I hope). Sit your self down on the couch, and tel him what he should pack. Dont forget, its always colder at night and its February/March so it will be either hot or cold! If you have never packed a big pack, here is how it should go.
In first
Underwear, socks, jeans, shirts on the bottom. Why, they will never get taken out and worn anyway..at least if they are on the bottom, they stay clean. If you live anyway where its cold at night, have him wear his long underwear! If he complains, dont fight about it, just have him pack it. He will learn and I've never heard of a boy freezing to death while his long underwear was in his pack on his back!
Next, sweatshirt then jammies. he is packing the big part of this pack in the order he will use the items. When he gets to camp, providing he leaves Friday night, he will need his jammies first. Yes, I still call them jammies! On the very top, his scout book and camp pillow, hat and gloves(if its cold)
Now your pack comes with a ton of different pockets. The first couple of campouts is like setting up a new kitchen in a new house/apt. You put things away in places but a week later decide it would work better somewhere else. Pick a spot for the toothbrush and toothpaste and floss to go in on the pack (first put in ziploc bag). Then next camp out put them in the same spot. Dont worry, they wont get used anyway. Do the same with the rest of his gear. (minus the ziploc part)
The first aid kit does not have to be a big box you buy from the store. It can be a zip loc containing a couple of bandaids etc.
Frisbee, for a dinner place and silverware and a cup should go in one section, headlamp, rain gear in another etc etc.
Dont forget a deck of cards!
Remember to make him do it. If you put anything in there he wont know what or where it is. Its like if your kids empty the dishwasher and put your favorite bowl in a different spot. You have no idea where it is!
Its ok, the pack will be to heavy, and will be huge on him. You will over pack, he will complain. Its ok. he will survive. You can then attack the sleeping bag to the bottom of the pack and slip the bed roll in there somewhere.
Viola! Packed. Dont forget to have him put his pack on and take a picture! I'll bet he pretends to fall over backwards onto the couch!!
Now, my sons troop, his old one and his current one, leave on Friday Nights. Give you son money for food for the drive up! This was not told to us.... I dont recommend an arch card as there is no guarantee that they stop at McDonalds. Give him a $10 and dont expect change.
If this is a week long camp out, he will need money for the camp store and for events. I recommend putting money into different envelopes for different things. Camp store money goes into an envelope labeled as such! or, ask a leader for help doling it out. Depending on the cost of merit badges he wants to earn, we average sending an extra $50 to week long camp outs. Weekenders, if there is a store there, $20.00 Dont expect change!
If you son is on ANY medication, put only what is needed for the weekend or week, in the prescription bottle, or OTC bottle, put it in a ziploc. Put a note inside with his name, the dose the time needed to take. With a sharpee put his name on the outside of the bag and troop number. Your troop will have a drug guy. You can give this to him in the parking lot.
DO NOT LINGER IN THE PARKING LOT! DO NOT EXPECT A HUG GOODBYE! DO NOT CRY!!!! its ok to wait until he gets in a car to leave. but spend the time talking to the other parents. If you hover over him and coo and aww at him, he will think its not ok to be going. Its like the first time you took him to preschool. You handed him over and walked out the door. SAME THING HERE!
He is old enough to know what is right and what is wrong. There are plenty of adults there to help guide him. He may feel lonely but he will never be alone.
When he gets home....oh that is a funny one...you will never actually know what time he will arrive. The paperwork may say noon, but it could be 10 am or 3pm. So dont make plans. Make sure your son has your cell number and go about your daily routine. My sons troop passes around a cell phone in the car for the boys to call home with an estimate.
When he gets home....he will be tired, cranky, dirty and just plain gross! You will be all excited wanting to know every single detail of every second of his time away. he will shrug and say it was fun and say nothing else. THIS IS GOOD! It means he had fun! You may or may not hear funny stories about what 'belch' did. (they give each other disturbing nicknames, dont ask what his is) Dont pry. Nothing went wrong. Everything was fun and fine! If there was a problem, you would have heard about it already. Trust me, there is at least one mom of a scout whose hubby is there as a SM or ASM who they have talked to. If there was a problem, it would have been relayed back to you.
Last but not least! MAKE HIM UNPACK HIS GEAR IMMEDIATELY, NO MATTER HOW TIRED ETC HE IS. It is his responsibility! Unpack it, just go ahead and wash all of it because it all smells like smoke anyway, make him wash his gear(not clothes if you dont want). If possible hang his pack and sleeping bag outside to air out. DONT LET IT STAY ROLLED UP AND PACKED UP It will mildew!
Once his gear is aired and dried, have him repack the stuff that will always go with him, then let him shower for 20 minutes and crash to video games! :)
Congrats! You have survived your sons first camp out!
Previously, I talked about gear...I re read this today and boy, was there foreshadowing I was getting sick or what...talk about a scattered post!
So...now...Your sons first camp out and his first week long camp!
DO NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO! This is that point where I talked about letting go! Now is the time! He will do just fine without you! If he gets homesick, they will handle it! Yes, not the same way a mom would, but they will not tie him to a tree and tell him to deal with it. Remember, they are parents also!
Step one! BE EXCITED FOR YOUR SON TO LEAVE! Dont even think about saying I'll miss you! Say it in your head a hundred times, but dont say it out loud! He is going to be nervous in the first place, your job is to kick him out the door! If he says, I dont want to go, tell him you will be fine, you will have fun and help him pack. The leaders know that all new boys will be nervous!
He has his big pack(I hope). Sit your self down on the couch, and tel him what he should pack. Dont forget, its always colder at night and its February/March so it will be either hot or cold! If you have never packed a big pack, here is how it should go.
In first
Underwear, socks, jeans, shirts on the bottom. Why, they will never get taken out and worn anyway..at least if they are on the bottom, they stay clean. If you live anyway where its cold at night, have him wear his long underwear! If he complains, dont fight about it, just have him pack it. He will learn and I've never heard of a boy freezing to death while his long underwear was in his pack on his back!
Next, sweatshirt then jammies. he is packing the big part of this pack in the order he will use the items. When he gets to camp, providing he leaves Friday night, he will need his jammies first. Yes, I still call them jammies! On the very top, his scout book and camp pillow, hat and gloves(if its cold)
Now your pack comes with a ton of different pockets. The first couple of campouts is like setting up a new kitchen in a new house/apt. You put things away in places but a week later decide it would work better somewhere else. Pick a spot for the toothbrush and toothpaste and floss to go in on the pack (first put in ziploc bag). Then next camp out put them in the same spot. Dont worry, they wont get used anyway. Do the same with the rest of his gear. (minus the ziploc part)
The first aid kit does not have to be a big box you buy from the store. It can be a zip loc containing a couple of bandaids etc.
Frisbee, for a dinner place and silverware and a cup should go in one section, headlamp, rain gear in another etc etc.
Dont forget a deck of cards!
Remember to make him do it. If you put anything in there he wont know what or where it is. Its like if your kids empty the dishwasher and put your favorite bowl in a different spot. You have no idea where it is!
Its ok, the pack will be to heavy, and will be huge on him. You will over pack, he will complain. Its ok. he will survive. You can then attack the sleeping bag to the bottom of the pack and slip the bed roll in there somewhere.
Viola! Packed. Dont forget to have him put his pack on and take a picture! I'll bet he pretends to fall over backwards onto the couch!!
Now, my sons troop, his old one and his current one, leave on Friday Nights. Give you son money for food for the drive up! This was not told to us.... I dont recommend an arch card as there is no guarantee that they stop at McDonalds. Give him a $10 and dont expect change.
If this is a week long camp out, he will need money for the camp store and for events. I recommend putting money into different envelopes for different things. Camp store money goes into an envelope labeled as such! or, ask a leader for help doling it out. Depending on the cost of merit badges he wants to earn, we average sending an extra $50 to week long camp outs. Weekenders, if there is a store there, $20.00 Dont expect change!
If you son is on ANY medication, put only what is needed for the weekend or week, in the prescription bottle, or OTC bottle, put it in a ziploc. Put a note inside with his name, the dose the time needed to take. With a sharpee put his name on the outside of the bag and troop number. Your troop will have a drug guy. You can give this to him in the parking lot.
DO NOT LINGER IN THE PARKING LOT! DO NOT EXPECT A HUG GOODBYE! DO NOT CRY!!!! its ok to wait until he gets in a car to leave. but spend the time talking to the other parents. If you hover over him and coo and aww at him, he will think its not ok to be going. Its like the first time you took him to preschool. You handed him over and walked out the door. SAME THING HERE!
He is old enough to know what is right and what is wrong. There are plenty of adults there to help guide him. He may feel lonely but he will never be alone.
When he gets home....oh that is a funny one...you will never actually know what time he will arrive. The paperwork may say noon, but it could be 10 am or 3pm. So dont make plans. Make sure your son has your cell number and go about your daily routine. My sons troop passes around a cell phone in the car for the boys to call home with an estimate.
When he gets home....he will be tired, cranky, dirty and just plain gross! You will be all excited wanting to know every single detail of every second of his time away. he will shrug and say it was fun and say nothing else. THIS IS GOOD! It means he had fun! You may or may not hear funny stories about what 'belch' did. (they give each other disturbing nicknames, dont ask what his is) Dont pry. Nothing went wrong. Everything was fun and fine! If there was a problem, you would have heard about it already. Trust me, there is at least one mom of a scout whose hubby is there as a SM or ASM who they have talked to. If there was a problem, it would have been relayed back to you.
Last but not least! MAKE HIM UNPACK HIS GEAR IMMEDIATELY, NO MATTER HOW TIRED ETC HE IS. It is his responsibility! Unpack it, just go ahead and wash all of it because it all smells like smoke anyway, make him wash his gear(not clothes if you dont want). If possible hang his pack and sleeping bag outside to air out. DONT LET IT STAY ROLLED UP AND PACKED UP It will mildew!
Once his gear is aired and dried, have him repack the stuff that will always go with him, then let him shower for 20 minutes and crash to video games! :)
Congrats! You have survived your sons first camp out!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
My son is a Boy Scout....so much to get.!
Well...your son is now a Boy Scout. If your new troop(remember its no longer a pack) is anything like ours, you were pointed to a website(www.smdscouts.com) where there is a 67 page pdf of the ins and outs, do's and don'ts.
Please note, your son will be going on a camp out every single month! and for a week in the summer! It is important to get the right gear but not have to sell one of the other kids to afford it.
Most important gear, backpack and sleeping bag. Actually, lets start with the scout clothes.
Most troops have class B's, which are simply t-shirts that they wear at camp. Your son is 11 and not a huge kid. Mine was five foot 5 at age 11, not typical. Buy the shirts big! Not huge, but big. Your troop might recommend 5 shirts, especially for camp. If you are money conscious, dont do it! They wont change their clothes at camp! My son came home from his very first weekend camp out wearing the same clothes he left in. I asked him about it, he says to me, mom, there's no where to change there but in your sleeping bag. Your son is 11 and wont want to strip down in front of other boys especially the older boys. I buy three class b's, one size larger than he needs.
Scout pants. Our troop requires the official scout pants. Yes, I know they are $40 and I dont even spend that on myself for a pair of pants. but what can you do. I suggest that you buy the ones with the zip off legs. Oh, and dont buy them big. Buy them to fit. The zip off legs work great...unless a minor flood comes along. Last summer, one camp out, they had 8 inches of rain in one night!!! One of my sons legs floated away never to be seen again. True story!
I totally recommend a good backpack, one with a frame. Internal or external, its up to you. I am partial to external because I like to have the ability to hang things on the outside of the pack, and you have more options, in my opinion, to hook things up. Yes, its a lot of money! I spent over $100 on my sons. but, keep in mind, its going to be used at least 12 months a year for the next 7 years. Its worth it. I shudder when I see kids show up in the parking lot with two or three duffels or even ,yes, a rubbermaid container! Why do we use a purse with a long strap that we can loop over our head....to keep our hands free! You can fit EVERYTHING into one of these packs! There are more pockets and hooks! We use our sons when we go to the beach. It fits everything we need in on pack!
Oh, go out and buy a dozen carabiners. They are great for hooking things on the pack! Home Depot sells them cheap!
Sleeping bags, it depends on your neck of the woods. Yes, down is the warmest, but if you are in a wet and cold area, like Chicago, you dont want down! If it gets wet, its useless!
This is a great site for explaining the types of gear. Scout Gear. Its got great information, but is a bit of mind blaster with so much information. Wicking and layering etc etc... It was a little to much for me but help me pick out the right bag for my son. You dont need to buy a $100 bag. My sons is a mummy bag that cost $30 at Farm and Fleet. It is rated -15 and they never camp outside when its that cold. Make sure it comes with a good stuff sack that can attach to the backpack. Remember, hands free.
Now, they will also need a sleeping mat. Again, they dont need a $100 mat. I think the one I bought was around $20 at sports authority. You can blow in one end to puff it up a little. Then, go to a fabric store and get some long velcro straps. Mats dont come with bags and you want to be able to roll it and attach it to your pack.
Dont forget a camp pillow! If it gets wet, its much easier and faster to dry on a line than your son's pillow from home. And it stuffs into a small bag and fits into the pack much easier.
Mess kit. Stumbling tripping boys, not watching where they are going with their food on a plate...Frisbee! I know this sounds crazy, but a frisbee! Upside down it holds quite a bit in! Knife fork cup etc yes, and engrave your sons name on it!
These are the most important items that I can think of. Yes, there is a huge list of things, but they can all be purchased cheaply at your local stores and even the dollar store. Check there for a headlamp and flashlight and batteries!
Keep in mind, what you buy will probably get lost! Which is why I dont recommend spending a lot of money on gear. Except the big gear. Harder to lose that!
Oh..one more thing that is not on most lists....a deck of playing cards! It should be a must! Last summer camp out, one of the trailers got three, count them three flat tires... yes a two tired trailer. Deck of cards can be a lifesaver!
Under no circumstances should you pack your sons pack! You can assist, with what he should put in there, but dont touch his stuff. He wont know where to find it or if its even packed, if he hasn't packed it himself! And he has to learn somehow how to fit all of it.
If rain is predicted, days of clothes in Zip Loc bags. But dont be surprised when he comes home and all of his clothes are still neatly packed in those zip loc bags.
They have a ton of fun at camp outs. They dont change their clothes, they dont brush their teeth, they dont use deodorant!
They come home smelly and filthy and exhausted!
Last bit of advice on this really log and scattered blog posting......
Make YOUR SON unpack his pack first thing! Empty it completely, and then if possible hang it outside to air out, along with his sleeping bag and pillow. They will reek! Then, have him re pack the items that he uses for the camp outs in his pack. Mess kit, first aid kit, flashlight, etc etc. That way he is not frantic five minutes before its time to leave because he can't find his spork :)
Happy Camping!!
Please note, your son will be going on a camp out every single month! and for a week in the summer! It is important to get the right gear but not have to sell one of the other kids to afford it.
Most important gear, backpack and sleeping bag. Actually, lets start with the scout clothes.
Most troops have class B's, which are simply t-shirts that they wear at camp. Your son is 11 and not a huge kid. Mine was five foot 5 at age 11, not typical. Buy the shirts big! Not huge, but big. Your troop might recommend 5 shirts, especially for camp. If you are money conscious, dont do it! They wont change their clothes at camp! My son came home from his very first weekend camp out wearing the same clothes he left in. I asked him about it, he says to me, mom, there's no where to change there but in your sleeping bag. Your son is 11 and wont want to strip down in front of other boys especially the older boys. I buy three class b's, one size larger than he needs.
Scout pants. Our troop requires the official scout pants. Yes, I know they are $40 and I dont even spend that on myself for a pair of pants. but what can you do. I suggest that you buy the ones with the zip off legs. Oh, and dont buy them big. Buy them to fit. The zip off legs work great...unless a minor flood comes along. Last summer, one camp out, they had 8 inches of rain in one night!!! One of my sons legs floated away never to be seen again. True story!
I totally recommend a good backpack, one with a frame. Internal or external, its up to you. I am partial to external because I like to have the ability to hang things on the outside of the pack, and you have more options, in my opinion, to hook things up. Yes, its a lot of money! I spent over $100 on my sons. but, keep in mind, its going to be used at least 12 months a year for the next 7 years. Its worth it. I shudder when I see kids show up in the parking lot with two or three duffels or even ,yes, a rubbermaid container! Why do we use a purse with a long strap that we can loop over our head....to keep our hands free! You can fit EVERYTHING into one of these packs! There are more pockets and hooks! We use our sons when we go to the beach. It fits everything we need in on pack!
Oh, go out and buy a dozen carabiners. They are great for hooking things on the pack! Home Depot sells them cheap!
Sleeping bags, it depends on your neck of the woods. Yes, down is the warmest, but if you are in a wet and cold area, like Chicago, you dont want down! If it gets wet, its useless!
This is a great site for explaining the types of gear. Scout Gear. Its got great information, but is a bit of mind blaster with so much information. Wicking and layering etc etc... It was a little to much for me but help me pick out the right bag for my son. You dont need to buy a $100 bag. My sons is a mummy bag that cost $30 at Farm and Fleet. It is rated -15 and they never camp outside when its that cold. Make sure it comes with a good stuff sack that can attach to the backpack. Remember, hands free.
Now, they will also need a sleeping mat. Again, they dont need a $100 mat. I think the one I bought was around $20 at sports authority. You can blow in one end to puff it up a little. Then, go to a fabric store and get some long velcro straps. Mats dont come with bags and you want to be able to roll it and attach it to your pack.
Dont forget a camp pillow! If it gets wet, its much easier and faster to dry on a line than your son's pillow from home. And it stuffs into a small bag and fits into the pack much easier.
Mess kit. Stumbling tripping boys, not watching where they are going with their food on a plate...Frisbee! I know this sounds crazy, but a frisbee! Upside down it holds quite a bit in! Knife fork cup etc yes, and engrave your sons name on it!
These are the most important items that I can think of. Yes, there is a huge list of things, but they can all be purchased cheaply at your local stores and even the dollar store. Check there for a headlamp and flashlight and batteries!
Keep in mind, what you buy will probably get lost! Which is why I dont recommend spending a lot of money on gear. Except the big gear. Harder to lose that!
Oh..one more thing that is not on most lists....a deck of playing cards! It should be a must! Last summer camp out, one of the trailers got three, count them three flat tires... yes a two tired trailer. Deck of cards can be a lifesaver!
Under no circumstances should you pack your sons pack! You can assist, with what he should put in there, but dont touch his stuff. He wont know where to find it or if its even packed, if he hasn't packed it himself! And he has to learn somehow how to fit all of it.
If rain is predicted, days of clothes in Zip Loc bags. But dont be surprised when he comes home and all of his clothes are still neatly packed in those zip loc bags.
They have a ton of fun at camp outs. They dont change their clothes, they dont brush their teeth, they dont use deodorant!
They come home smelly and filthy and exhausted!
Last bit of advice on this really log and scattered blog posting......
Make YOUR SON unpack his pack first thing! Empty it completely, and then if possible hang it outside to air out, along with his sleeping bag and pillow. They will reek! Then, have him re pack the items that he uses for the camp outs in his pack. Mess kit, first aid kit, flashlight, etc etc. That way he is not frantic five minutes before its time to leave because he can't find his spork :)
Happy Camping!!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Letting go....
I touched on this briefly in my last blog post, Choosing the Right Troop, about letting go.
Dear Scout Masters, Ass't Scout Masters Patrol Leaders, and other, older boys.
My son is 11 yrs old. He is just a baby. I can tell you everything about him. He's sensitive, funny, creative, helpful, and a wonderful person. Please love him like he is one of your own children, better than if he was one of your own kids(we are all nicer to the neighbors kids than our own, right) Help him choose the right path, guide him, love him, nurture him. Understand my position.... I am now being asked to hand him over to a group of strangers, men and boys a like. I am being asked to let go...to just plain let go. to drop him off at meetings and wave goodbye. To not know what he is doing every second he is with you. To leave it up to him to keep track of his things, his book, his requirements, his jacket! Here is my son, please take good care of him.
YEAH RIGHT! Ok. To be honest, that is what you are going to be asked to do! You go from knowing every inner working of your cub scout pack, to not even knowing the other boys names or *gasp* their parents!
I will never forget when I took my son to his first troop meeting, (it is now called a troop, not a pack). I stayed. I was the only parent there not wearing a brown shirt with patches glued or stapled to it! I was surround by a ton of boys, most of them taller than me, running around greeting each other, back slapping, belching, you know, being boys. My son was so nervous....so was I! Its always scary to go from an environment that you spent years being comfortable in, to one that you are sooooooo lost in!
Good lord man! (directed towards my husband) what do you mean I am supposed to just drop him off and go. Just last week, I had to remind him that we dont climb on tables at his last pack meeting. Who is going to keep him in line now? that doesn't quite sound right, but I think you know what I mean. How am I supposed to make sure he behaves himself if I am not there!!??
Well, one thing I noticed, there are a lot of ASM's there. That is Ass't Scout Masters. I mean a lot. There are also a lot of older boys there. Yes, I know..slightly scary *teenagers*. But my point is, there are a lot of people there to help guide your son, my son, along the correct path. To keep him from climbing up on tables! To goof around at meetings, or during meetings I should say.
Its about letting go. That is what Boy Scouts is about. Yes its also about learning a lot of great values and tying knots and making fires...but, for moms and their first born sons, its about letting go! We can do it! It will be hard...but it is necessary! It is important..they are boys, soon to be men. They must learn to stand up for themselves, keep track of their belongings, their feet and hands, and their mouths. They will NEVER learn that if we are always around.
Dont get me wrong...I am involved. Once a year, the moms join their sons on a camp out..and just last week, I found his shirt for him. Now, my son (due to other circumstances)needs a little parental prodding to keep him moving towards his requirements. But to be honest, I think all young boys do. Its ok to prod a little, to remind about requirements, etc etc., but step back!
Take a deep breath, and step back! Your son will thank you for it and heck, once they hit 12-13, they dont want you around anyway :)
Next post, camping...what to bring, how to pack it and what to expect... and if anyone finds a wallet made out of duct tape, please let me know..he left it at the last meeting and no one has found it(i think it got tossed by someone knowing it was a duct tape wallet)
Dear Scout Masters, Ass't Scout Masters Patrol Leaders, and other, older boys.
My son is 11 yrs old. He is just a baby. I can tell you everything about him. He's sensitive, funny, creative, helpful, and a wonderful person. Please love him like he is one of your own children, better than if he was one of your own kids(we are all nicer to the neighbors kids than our own, right) Help him choose the right path, guide him, love him, nurture him. Understand my position.... I am now being asked to hand him over to a group of strangers, men and boys a like. I am being asked to let go...to just plain let go. to drop him off at meetings and wave goodbye. To not know what he is doing every second he is with you. To leave it up to him to keep track of his things, his book, his requirements, his jacket! Here is my son, please take good care of him.
YEAH RIGHT! Ok. To be honest, that is what you are going to be asked to do! You go from knowing every inner working of your cub scout pack, to not even knowing the other boys names or *gasp* their parents!
I will never forget when I took my son to his first troop meeting, (it is now called a troop, not a pack). I stayed. I was the only parent there not wearing a brown shirt with patches glued or stapled to it! I was surround by a ton of boys, most of them taller than me, running around greeting each other, back slapping, belching, you know, being boys. My son was so nervous....so was I! Its always scary to go from an environment that you spent years being comfortable in, to one that you are sooooooo lost in!
Good lord man! (directed towards my husband) what do you mean I am supposed to just drop him off and go. Just last week, I had to remind him that we dont climb on tables at his last pack meeting. Who is going to keep him in line now? that doesn't quite sound right, but I think you know what I mean. How am I supposed to make sure he behaves himself if I am not there!!??
Well, one thing I noticed, there are a lot of ASM's there. That is Ass't Scout Masters. I mean a lot. There are also a lot of older boys there. Yes, I know..slightly scary *teenagers*. But my point is, there are a lot of people there to help guide your son, my son, along the correct path. To keep him from climbing up on tables! To goof around at meetings, or during meetings I should say.
Its about letting go. That is what Boy Scouts is about. Yes its also about learning a lot of great values and tying knots and making fires...but, for moms and their first born sons, its about letting go! We can do it! It will be hard...but it is necessary! It is important..they are boys, soon to be men. They must learn to stand up for themselves, keep track of their belongings, their feet and hands, and their mouths. They will NEVER learn that if we are always around.
Dont get me wrong...I am involved. Once a year, the moms join their sons on a camp out..and just last week, I found his shirt for him. Now, my son (due to other circumstances)needs a little parental prodding to keep him moving towards his requirements. But to be honest, I think all young boys do. Its ok to prod a little, to remind about requirements, etc etc., but step back!
Take a deep breath, and step back! Your son will thank you for it and heck, once they hit 12-13, they dont want you around anyway :)
Next post, camping...what to bring, how to pack it and what to expect... and if anyone finds a wallet made out of duct tape, please let me know..he left it at the last meeting and no one has found it(i think it got tossed by someone knowing it was a duct tape wallet)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Choosing the right Boy Scout Troop.
So, prior to the blue and gold, we were supposed to visit other BS troops in our area in order to make a more informed decision about where we were going to have our son spend the remaining of his scout years.
Its kind of like picking out a new dentist. You ask your friends, neighbors, other members, but you really dont know until you start going.
My son loves scouts. Is not a sport guy at all. He is the type of person you want next to you on a plane if it goes down in the mountains! He was 8 when he built a waterproof lean - to in my backyard. He was also 8 when he started a fire using two sticks. (partially my fault, I had show him to make a bow and use the string gizmo)
He loves the woods, loves camping and is your general grizzly adams type of character. So, it was important for us to find a troop that fit what he wanted. 1000% scouting. My husband and son went to meetings, went on the webelos camp out etc etc. Did everything they were supposed to do to find just the right fit for my son..
Guess what! It was the wrong fit for my son. The troop we picked, we thought kept a tight reign on things. They did not. My son, due to other issues, needs a little more prodding towards goals than maybe, some other kids. Needs a little more structure. The troop we picked did not have that. It took us a year to realize our mistake. (there was a little more to it than this, but not really necessary to go into detail)
What did we do? We moved him. Just because you put your son into a troop, that does not mean that he has to be there for life. If its not a good fit, then its not a good fit.
BS's is so different the cub scouts. We dont attend meetings or camp outs. We dont go to community service projects or eagle projects. We drop them off in a parking lot. We have to rely on the values that we have taught our boys so far to carry them through. Which means, that when we drop them off in the parking lot (handing them over to patrol leaders who are huge and need a shave), we are relying on their 11 yr old sense of right and wrong to carry them through. They will be influenced by boys who were not raised with the same sense of values.
Remember, this is about the boys. More specifically, this is about your son. If after a day, or a month or a year, you decide that the troop is not a good fit, then move your son. But, dont make this decision lightly. Dont move him because he's being picked on. According to my husband, boys get picked on. Use it as a learning tool.
But, if it is not a good fit at all, then by all means, move!
Its kind of like picking out a new dentist. You ask your friends, neighbors, other members, but you really dont know until you start going.
My son loves scouts. Is not a sport guy at all. He is the type of person you want next to you on a plane if it goes down in the mountains! He was 8 when he built a waterproof lean - to in my backyard. He was also 8 when he started a fire using two sticks. (partially my fault, I had show him to make a bow and use the string gizmo)
He loves the woods, loves camping and is your general grizzly adams type of character. So, it was important for us to find a troop that fit what he wanted. 1000% scouting. My husband and son went to meetings, went on the webelos camp out etc etc. Did everything they were supposed to do to find just the right fit for my son..
Guess what! It was the wrong fit for my son. The troop we picked, we thought kept a tight reign on things. They did not. My son, due to other issues, needs a little more prodding towards goals than maybe, some other kids. Needs a little more structure. The troop we picked did not have that. It took us a year to realize our mistake. (there was a little more to it than this, but not really necessary to go into detail)
What did we do? We moved him. Just because you put your son into a troop, that does not mean that he has to be there for life. If its not a good fit, then its not a good fit.
BS's is so different the cub scouts. We dont attend meetings or camp outs. We dont go to community service projects or eagle projects. We drop them off in a parking lot. We have to rely on the values that we have taught our boys so far to carry them through. Which means, that when we drop them off in the parking lot (handing them over to patrol leaders who are huge and need a shave), we are relying on their 11 yr old sense of right and wrong to carry them through. They will be influenced by boys who were not raised with the same sense of values.
Remember, this is about the boys. More specifically, this is about your son. If after a day, or a month or a year, you decide that the troop is not a good fit, then move your son. But, dont make this decision lightly. Dont move him because he's being picked on. According to my husband, boys get picked on. Use it as a learning tool.
But, if it is not a good fit at all, then by all means, move!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Blue and Gold and Moving on.....
With the February comes the Blue and Gold....which also means anyone with Webelos is moving up, out and on.
Guess what Mom's and Dad's. Big big changes are in store for not only your son but more so for you! There are so many things you will need to know and understand, to many to write about in one posting, so I will provide my insight over several posts. Please understand, I am not speaking for all cub scout packs or all boy scout troops. Only my own personal experiences.
First...the new mom panic!
We go from being at every function and almost every meeting to dropping them off at the door and leaving. Yes, troops do encourage parental involvement, but not like they do in Cub Scouts. We are used to receiving emails, phone calls, notes in the mail, newsletters, reminders, about upcoming activities. We go to a pack meeting, we are handed a sheet with information regarding the next activity, we fill it out and give them a check.
Now, we have to, are forced to reply upon the boy to provide this information. I dont know about the rest of you, but I swear my son would forget his shoes if I didn't yell shoes as he tried to run out the door for school.
Hopefully, your troop has a website (www.smdscouts.com). This way you can keep up to date on events. Or maybe its a small troop so its easier to get information. My sons troop....very big.. they dont have time to babysit. They hand out paperwork, or send one email. If you miss the deadline...tough! There are no more constant reminders. This is apparently what boy scouts is all about. Teaching our boys independence and responsibility. Dont get me wrong, I am all for that...but...
expect to feel completely lost the first couple of months or even year. It is a normal feeling! Resist the urge to go with your son to every meeting. No one elses' mommy is there :) We are forced to let go, all at once. it becomes more of the boys responsibility to keep track of paperwork and even requirements for things like tenderfoot, second class etc.
This is a GOOD thing! Let them go..a peck on the cheek(if no one else is looking) and our fingers crossed that they dont do anything stupid, but let them go.
Next blog.... What if we choose the wrong troop to put our son in????
Guess what Mom's and Dad's. Big big changes are in store for not only your son but more so for you! There are so many things you will need to know and understand, to many to write about in one posting, so I will provide my insight over several posts. Please understand, I am not speaking for all cub scout packs or all boy scout troops. Only my own personal experiences.
First...the new mom panic!
We go from being at every function and almost every meeting to dropping them off at the door and leaving. Yes, troops do encourage parental involvement, but not like they do in Cub Scouts. We are used to receiving emails, phone calls, notes in the mail, newsletters, reminders, about upcoming activities. We go to a pack meeting, we are handed a sheet with information regarding the next activity, we fill it out and give them a check.
Now, we have to, are forced to reply upon the boy to provide this information. I dont know about the rest of you, but I swear my son would forget his shoes if I didn't yell shoes as he tried to run out the door for school.
Hopefully, your troop has a website (www.smdscouts.com). This way you can keep up to date on events. Or maybe its a small troop so its easier to get information. My sons troop....very big.. they dont have time to babysit. They hand out paperwork, or send one email. If you miss the deadline...tough! There are no more constant reminders. This is apparently what boy scouts is all about. Teaching our boys independence and responsibility. Dont get me wrong, I am all for that...but...
expect to feel completely lost the first couple of months or even year. It is a normal feeling! Resist the urge to go with your son to every meeting. No one elses' mommy is there :) We are forced to let go, all at once. it becomes more of the boys responsibility to keep track of paperwork and even requirements for things like tenderfoot, second class etc.
This is a GOOD thing! Let them go..a peck on the cheek(if no one else is looking) and our fingers crossed that they dont do anything stupid, but let them go.
Next blog.... What if we choose the wrong troop to put our son in????
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)