TheBoy Scout

So, TheBoy is returning from his first Boy Scout Camporee today. I dropped him off Friday night at the church (the Troop's trailer and gear are stored in the parking lot of the Congregational Church, our chartering organization) with a backpack full of gear, a sleeping bag and pad, and a tent (he insisted on bringing our small dome tent even though the Troop has their own tents. He's stubborn. Go figure). This weekend was their Spring Camporee up at their Scout Reservation, and the theme was Fur, Fin, and Fun - an 1800s trapper motif with hatchet and knife throwing, skill competition, .22 rifles, and even blackpowder.

I couldn't go with him this time - the Mrs. had to work, and something told me that bringing an 8 year old girl to a Boy Scout Camporee might not be the best idea I ever had. I would have loved to have gone - it sounds like they had a lot of fun - but on the other hand, I'm glad I sat this one out. He was in excellent hands the entire weekend, and I think it's good that he was "on his own" for his first campout with the Boy Scouts. No Dad to rebel against and all that.

He'll be home in a couple hours and the campout will be nothing but fond (I hope) memories. He has been hot and cold about Boy Scouts in the past few weeks - early last week he came home all excited because he could recite the entire Scout Law; but by Thursday he was asking how soon he could drop out. Much like Cub Scouts, I suspect that there are other (peer) forces at work here; it's also possible that with baseball, Scouts, and the recent MCAS tests (standardized testing) he's a little overwhelmed. I'm hoping that the Camporee will have set him straight on just how much fun Boy Scouts can be...


In any case, while it was good to have a little quiet time (and quality time with BabyGirl G.!), it'll be good to have the not-so-little guy home...

That is all.