Well, here I am, sitting in Baltimore at a work related conference getting some very good information. But, if I could, I'd leave here in time to join in with the Neuse River trash pick-up. It's not that I feel obligated as Cubmaster to be there (although some could argue that), but, I have to be honest with myself: I really like working with these guys.
I've done quite a bit of "networking" this week. I've met quite a few paramedics who work multiple jobs. I sometimes realize that I miss working on an ambulance, but don't know where I would fit it into my week. Gosh, I could get paid to work part-time as a paramedic. But money isn't everything (although it helps keep the lights on and the water flowing!).
Cubscouts is, in fact, my part time job. The pay isn't in dollars. It's in smiles; it's in seeing kids getting excited about racing cars; or making widgets; or picking up trash. It's in the pride I felt seeing the sign at the greenway identifying our pack as adopting it. It's in the scouts coming up to me and saying, "Mr. Tom, can I get my picture with you?" or receiving a card from a scout thanking me for what I do. Have you met Robbie, or Travis, or Stephen, or Darden? I've got 24 others just like them.
No money can replace that.
If you are thinking about whether you have the time to get more involved, try it for a month. I'll bet my cubscout paycheck you'll be hooked, just like me (and a many other leaders in our pack).
I'll be there Tuesday in person, but my heart will be with the scouts Saturday...I may even pick-up trash on the sidewalk just to make myself feel connected!
See you soon....
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Forecast: MUD
As Cubmaster, one of my responsibilities is to make sure fun is created for the scouts. A) This doesn't mean I personally have to create it (we have quite a few leaders and parents who are very good at creating fun); and B) We sometimes find the differences between what we parents and leaders call fun, and what our creative scouts call fun.
Let's consider mud.
Mmm, mushy, squishy, squeeze between your toes mud. Mud is sometimes considered therapeutic. Sometimes it is entertainment. Other times it is considered a metaphor for food (mudpies). Now on to a grown-up view...
"Who tracked all this mud into the house!?"
"Woah! Don't walk through that mess!"
"No, you didn't." -- Use your imagination here.
So, who decides what do to when Mother Nature provides an opportunity for some ooey-gooey fun, or, in grown-up lingo, a recipe for a mess?
This past Saturday we intended to do some cleaning at Anderson Point Park. I can't speak for everyone, but I was really psyched about a chance exchange one man's treasure for nature's treasure. I've seen the Adopt-A-Highway signs for years, and have always wanted to support some type of similar endeavor.
So it was with disappointment that I entertained the idea of postponing our trash hunt. I think it is necessary to point out here that it is the fault of our pack leadership that the state is in a drought condition. Had we planned more outdoor activities, water would not be in such short supply. When then, if we are accustomed to enjoying what nature God has given us whilst at the same time enjoying a little vertically challenged H2O, was it necessary to cancel Saturday's experience in waste disposal?
Well, there is a river running right next to a gravel path that most people (except those dropping trash) prefer to use when meandering along said river. However, since the trash dropper-offers don't necessarily acknowledge the existence of predetermined travel spaces, the trash tends to be "off the beaten path."
Right next to the word "Fun" in our Scout Leader marching orders is the word "Safety." We have a responsibility to provide safe fun to our scouts.
Envision this: slippery mud right next to flowing river. Yikes.
Now, I have spent time and words explaining the necessity to postpone our clean-up, when, in actuality, with all the illnesses going around, and the strong winds, cold rain, and the thought of trying to thaw 4 dozen hot dogs and buns in all of that, most parents were just as relieved not to have to go forth and pick-up.
Be warned, though, we will be asking for those "why am I always picking up after you" skills on a Saturday to come, hopefully still in March!
By the way, the make-up date will probably be chosen tomorrow (Monday) night at the Parent and Leader (PALs) meeting. I hope many of you can make it, because, as always, it takes a village to raise a child, and both parents AND leaders to teach them as scouts.
Enough cliches and metaphors. See you this week.
-TM
Let's consider mud.
Mmm, mushy, squishy, squeeze between your toes mud. Mud is sometimes considered therapeutic. Sometimes it is entertainment. Other times it is considered a metaphor for food (mudpies). Now on to a grown-up view...
"Who tracked all this mud into the house!?"
"Woah! Don't walk through that mess!"
"No, you didn't." -- Use your imagination here.
So, who decides what do to when Mother Nature provides an opportunity for some ooey-gooey fun, or, in grown-up lingo, a recipe for a mess?
This past Saturday we intended to do some cleaning at Anderson Point Park. I can't speak for everyone, but I was really psyched about a chance exchange one man's treasure for nature's treasure. I've seen the Adopt-A-Highway signs for years, and have always wanted to support some type of similar endeavor.
So it was with disappointment that I entertained the idea of postponing our trash hunt. I think it is necessary to point out here that it is the fault of our pack leadership that the state is in a drought condition. Had we planned more outdoor activities, water would not be in such short supply. When then, if we are accustomed to enjoying what nature God has given us whilst at the same time enjoying a little vertically challenged H2O, was it necessary to cancel Saturday's experience in waste disposal?
Well, there is a river running right next to a gravel path that most people (except those dropping trash) prefer to use when meandering along said river. However, since the trash dropper-offers don't necessarily acknowledge the existence of predetermined travel spaces, the trash tends to be "off the beaten path."
Right next to the word "Fun" in our Scout Leader marching orders is the word "Safety." We have a responsibility to provide safe fun to our scouts.
Envision this: slippery mud right next to flowing river. Yikes.
Now, I have spent time and words explaining the necessity to postpone our clean-up, when, in actuality, with all the illnesses going around, and the strong winds, cold rain, and the thought of trying to thaw 4 dozen hot dogs and buns in all of that, most parents were just as relieved not to have to go forth and pick-up.
Be warned, though, we will be asking for those "why am I always picking up after you" skills on a Saturday to come, hopefully still in March!
By the way, the make-up date will probably be chosen tomorrow (Monday) night at the Parent and Leader (PALs) meeting. I hope many of you can make it, because, as always, it takes a village to raise a child, and both parents AND leaders to teach them as scouts.
Enough cliches and metaphors. See you this week.
-TM
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