What am I going to do with these young men? It's a darn good thing I am not the scout master in my ward.
Last year I took the young men on a 3-day/2-night hike into the Uinta Mountains. I was very clear with them about the things they needed to bring. I gave them list after list after list. This is how our pack-check went the night before: One young man showed up with 2 Cup-O-Noodles, a pocket knife, a compass, and some cookies. "Who are you? MacGuyver? You gonna slay some wild animal and use the mirror on the other side of the compass to magically cook your food? Gonna use that knife to cut down trees and make yourself a nice cabin in the wilderness? That Cup-O-Noodles gonna serve as bait for the bear you're planning on trapping and killing???"
About 2 of the young men showed up with their SCHOOL backpacks. And only half had sleeping bags.
Last night we had our pack-check in preparation for Camp Steiner next week. Not only did I pack everything on the list, I packed my son's bag as well, just to make sure he'd be prepared.
And yet parents come to these things WITH their sons and when we go through their bags and make a huge list of the things they need to return with, they are mystified.
"You signed up for the fishing merit badge, right?"
"Yeah."
"Do you have a fishing pole?"
"No."
"What about a fishing license?"
.............[blank stare]
It's a good thing these boys have leaders who actually care about their well being.
Me, Myself and I
- Mateo
- I am a Mormon...married to Lisa. We have 5 awesome children. I am a gun rights advocate and believe the 'right to keep and bear arms' refers to an INDIVIDUAL right, as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court. I like to hunt big game, although I have only ever killed a single buck deer. I am an actor of sorts and have been in many local plays and musicals.
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3 comments:
I hope none of the parents of these particular individuals read your blog - they might be a little . . .offended.
You packed Bryce's bag. You should have let him do it himself so you could see if he would end up doing anything similar to some of the other boys. Some just don't know where to start, they've never been there before or in this type of situation. You are supposed to hold their hands and walk them along some times, that's how they learn.
Ask Uncle JimBob about fishing with a can of Niblets!
Bless their ever-luvvin naive scoutly hearts! Thankfully they have you to teach them that camping requires more than just a spoon & a flashlight.
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