What Happened to February??

Wow! February will be over NEXT WEEK!! What happened to it? It's only a couple days shorter (at least by my calendar) than the rest of the months.

This weekend we celebrate Scouting in the US's birthday with our Blue and Gold Banquet. We have a small committee of dedicated Bear parents working hard to make this the best banquet ever...but they still need our help. Set-up is this Friday, Feb. 24, starting at 6:30 pm. It shouldn't take too long if we can all chip in!

But, Blue and Gold is just one of the great things we do starting with January. Pinewood Derby, B&G, District Pinewood Derby, Bridging, Arrow of Light ceremony, Pack camping, District camping, and Pack Graduation (when summer starts!). When you look at it like that, summer's almost here!

One of the fun things I get to watch while watching our scouts grow is the changes in their behavior. They come in as Tigers all wild and bumping into each other, chasing their tales, and generally without order. That's OK...they're just starting! Then they get new neckerchiefs and hats, and they grow an inch or two. They're no longer "new" scouts...they're seasoned and salty, their Wolves!

As Wolves they start to notice some things to look forward to...like Whittling Chips and shiny new pocket knives! Can't wait to be a Bear!

They come into Beardom anxious to get that chip, and looking even farther ahead to getting a new, khaki, shirt net rank. You got it, Webelos (alway spelled with an "s" at the end, for We Be LOyal Scouts!).

Webelos 1, the first year of transitioning to Boy Scouts. They feel older, bigger, more mature. THEY get to wear khaki. But, even as we've weaned them from us, the parents, they're still looking back over their should regularly to make sure we're still there.

Finally, have four years for some, Webelos 2! That's practically being a Boy Scout. They enjoy more activities with the Troop, even check out some others for good measure. But, they are also at the top of food chain, so to speak. They've been there, done that, got the totem. They think they've seen it all as a Cub, and are ready to move onward. How does this manifest itself? Like racehorses at the gate!

I used to get all flustered that the W2s weren't ALWAYS setting the example for the younger cubs. It took a couple years to figure out what was really happening with them. Funny thing is, once they bridge, they're alot more like Tigers, again. A little wild, a little wide-eyed, and excited about their new surroundings.

Stick around, watch for the changes. It's a minor miracle that we get to be a part of...and helps keep us fresh each year!