Here it is!  It's almost time for Cub Scout Day Camp 2018! This year, I am Program Director and the Theme is Wacky Science!  I am SO excited to have the chance to combine (see what I did there?)my love of Scouting with science!  Each day will feature a "sub-theme", and everyone will get to listen to my really horrible science puns all week!

The only problem is that, we don't have enough staff to ensure that we are able to provide a quality, safe, and FUN program for ALL Scouts!  With girls joining us this summer, it is crucial that we have the 2 deep leadership required by our Youth Protection Policy.
Many Scouts in our area depend on and look forward to Day Camp.  For some, camp provides a vacation from a boring summer, or an unhappy home life.  It gives Scouts the opportunity to see their friends, meet new ones, or try something they have never done before!  Most of all, Day Camp THIS YEAR is going to be EXPLOSIVE and we are hoping for a BIG reaction from all participants!  (There I go again...might as well get used to it)

So spread the word, share on your social media sights, make an announcement at your Den and Pack meetings. Great Valley District Cub Scout Day Camp NEEDS YOUR HELP!
To volunteer or get more info, please contact me. STEMsupernivagrl@gmail.com

Blue & Gold Ceremony-It's Not Too Early to Start Thinking about How to Make it Special!

Blue & Gold Ceremony-It's Not Too Early to Start Thinking about How to Make It Special!

Blue & Gold....such a magical and sometimes bittersweet time for Scouting leaders and parents.  Scout are used to their Pack meetings every month and they love those and think and they are fun, but when they earn their next rank, Arrow of Light, or when they are crossing over into a Troop, their Blue & Gold Ceremony needs to stand out!

For me, I want these Scouts to walk into where they are having this important ceremony and stop dead in their tracks!  I want surprise, awe, and for them to suck in a deep breath and hold it!  THAT is when you know that you have created something magical and that's EXACTLY the feelings that I feel Blue & Gold should evoke!

Yes, I realize that it's only November, BUT such an important celebration requires planning! (No, not the kind of planning that you did in college the night before your exam!)

First, your Pack Committee needs to decide on a budget.  This is great that you are doing this now, because if this really isn't in the budget, you can still schedule some fundraisers to help you out! (I mean it SHOULD be in the budget already-ideally, but things happen)

 Next, you are going to need a theme.  Now it would be SO easy for parents and leaders to just go ahead and pick a theme based on the pounds of leftover birthday party decorations that you CAN'T WAIT to get out of your house, however, this isn't YOUR ceremony. Why not come up with several themes and have your Scouts choose? (This way you know that they are appropriate and you can find stuff that goes with the theme, PLUS it makes them feel important and part of it because THEY chose it!) Is there anywhere that you can save money?   Is there anyone in your Unit that is wicked creative and crafty?  I am SURE that someone in your Unit is on Pinterest and just itching to help! (Time to pull out your Family Talent Surveys) Find some crafts that go along with whatever theme the Scouts decide and choose a craft that the Scouts can complete as gathering activity or during a Den Meeting! 

Now, what about food?  Potlucks are fun, especially if the food is centered around the theme, and with all families participating, could greatly reduce costs (just inform everyone of any allergies) What about asking if there is anyone in your unit that works/owns a restaurant or catering business that would be willing to help? (Could be a tax write-off for a donation to a non-profit, BUT make sure to have them check with their tax preparer to ensure that they receive the correct information.

Last year in my unit, we chose the "Passport to Adventure" Theme.  It was amazing!  We had each Den choose a different country.  They had to research Scouting in that country and see if it is different in any ways from Scouting in the United States.  Then, they created a display board-like the ones for science fairs- to show what they had learned!  Next, with the help of their parents of course, they chose to bring a dish to share that is native to their Den's country!  We had Thailand, Japan, Guatemala, and France!  HOW MUCH FUN IS THAT?  The decorations were incorporated from the Countries that they chose, along with other fun traditions from different states in the United States, such as Marti Gras in New Orleans, LA, and New York City.  We made a garland incorporating the different Flags from different Countries and one Den even had t-shirts from the World Jamboree 2015 when it was held in the Country that they chose!

Whatever your Unit does to honor these Scouts for their hard work and dedication, START PLANNING EARLY!  Give them the WOW! Factor that they deserve!  Make it stand out from regular Pack meetings and GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TOO! 

Showing that you care and want to make this special for THEM, is also a great incentive for these Scouts to work hard and really understand the notable meaning behind this distinct ceremony!

   What are some ways/ideas that you have celebrated Blue & Gold in YOUR Unit?  I would love you hear about and even see some ideas!  Don’t forget to include your Name/Unit, especially if you send pictures, so I can make sure to give you kudos!

Here are some fun pics from last year’s celebration!

University of Scouting 2016-Dutch Oven Cooking

Veteran's Day Flag Retirement 2016.

November- Are you Thankful or Grateful? Is There a Difference?

AHHHH…. November!  Are you Thankful or Grateful?

AHHHH!  Hello November!  It’s time again to set the clocks back, put away my flip flops, and put on socks!  I need to rake leaves (SO many leaves), and plan the menu for Thanksgiving (which I should know by heart since it hasn’t changed in 13 years-sensory issues).  The days are shorter, the air is crisp and cool, and if I’m lucky, I can catch hints of apple butter and campfires riding on the evening breeze!

Our StarCity transforms, as beautiful shades of oranges, yellows, and reds, dance across our mountains and create the beautiful palette of fall.

Such a beautiful backdrop for this time of year, as we are all very busy planning, traveling, and even shopping for the upcoming holidays. (like I SHOULD have started back in March). So, since becoming active in Scouting, my children and I, along with our Unit, actively take time to give back to our community and other organizations who help and serve those in need.  As a mom, I have always tried to teach my boys to not only be thankful for what they have and to others for what they do, not only for them, but for others, and to also be grateful in their everyday lives.  It hasn’t always been easy, but in their generation with all the cool game systems and drones and new cell phones coming out, who wouldn’t want all that shiny new technology?

Well, in this busy time of year, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving come in this beautiful month when the leaves are falling from the trees and the temperature is dropping-which makes this mom want to stay in bed under the covers where it’s warm!  In all the hustle, crowds, and crazy traffic, the boys and I celebrate Thanksgiving with our Pack, Troop, Crew, and then again with each other and stay home, which is why for me, this time is a reminder to slow down; stop and look around, and pay attention to the beauty that surrounds us and the gifts that life has ALREADY given to us.  Things haven’t always been easy, but they could always be worse. I am very thankful and eternally grateful for the little things that didn’t turn into the big things.

In your Units, hopefully you can participate in a Flag Retirement Ceremony and a Veterans Day Parade or assembly., to show your thanks and gratitude. To honor those who vowed to protect and defend our Nation, to preserve Scouting values and ethics, and who lost their lives so that we can live ours, these are great ways to show your thanks and gratitude.  Some Units such as ours, also go out and place Flags on Veteran’s graves. Other ways that Units give back to our Communities is by participating in service projects, not just this time of year, but all year.  Your Unit may choose Thanksgiving to hold a food drive or put together bags with items for the homeless in the area, or donate items for children or Scouts in other areas, but, whichever way your Unit chooses to express thanks and gratitude, let me ask you this…Is there a difference between being Thankful and being Grateful? Are you, as leaders or parents, showing/teaching THANKFULNESS, GRATEFULNESS, or BOTH? (This may prove to be a bigger rivalry than VT vs. UVA!) 

Makes you think, doesn’t it?  Thankful; grateful; I may have to pull out the dusty dictionary for this one. (Yes, I still own one and my boys know that until they can use a dictionary, they can’t use Google)

Personally, I want my children and Scouts to learn and practice BOTH. Being thankful teaches and shows good manners and respect, but without being thankful, you can’t be grateful! Ok, here’s my example…STORYTIME! I have never asked my Scouts to do anything that I myself would not. At Daycamp, when competing a conservation project of raking sand and pulling weeds at Camp Ottari, I was right there on my hands and knees pulling weeds with them. When collecting garbage, raking leaves, wading in rivers, or adorning the oh-so-stylish hairnet while Feeding 10,000-I was right there, doing the SAME JOB THEY WERE, offering help, encouragement, motivation, and enthusiasm!  I am thankful and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Scouting program and our Scouts.  I appreciate and value the time that every person spends with us and their contribution to our lives-not just on certain days, but EVERYDAY! This demonstration of feelings through actions, done daily, a GOOD TURN, is gratitude!

Whatever different ways that you in your personal life or in your Scouting Units chose to show or practice being thankful or grateful, remember that it’s not about the project or parade; it’s not about the turkey or who won the game; it’s about our actions and attitude while doing it.  Are we SHOWING gratitude in our life, because our Scouts learn by example?  Are we leading by that example; by our Scout Oath and Law?  Are we leading by the belief that Scouting is making a commitment to do everything we can to share and build our visions for this program?

They need to see actions, not just hear words. Saying “Thank You” is practicing good manners, taking the time to write a thank-you note is gratitude. Thanking them for pulling weeds and collecting trash is nice and respectful, but getting out there and helping them with a smile and encouragement is gratitude.

-Wishing you and your families a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

˜City Scout Mom

--How is YOUR Unit giving back this time of the year?  Any special ways you show your thanks and gratitude?  I would LUV to hear about them or Do you just LUV November and all its beauty in SW Virginia?  Does your family have any special or unusual dishes for Thanksgiving?  I’m interested in seeing the many ways that we express being thankful and grateful!