Webelos -:- Boy Scout Transition

Dear Den Parents:

I received a call from the committee chair for Troop 13.

He wanted to let me know--and through me, you--know that the scoutmaster from Troop 13, Mr. Broadhead, has retired. Mr. Broadhead's son recently turned 18 and was recognized for earning the Eagle award, so this was not unexpected.

The chair told me that Mr. Mike Nelson, a veteran member of the Troop 13, has stepped in as scoutmaster. The transition was described as smooth and seamless, but he wanted to prevent any surprises at our end regarding who we would expect to be receiving our sons at the Blue and Gold banquet on Sunday.

Best regards,

Ken

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For those whose eyes require a larger font, this is the message that I left with the boys today:

Dear Webelos:

You're moving into the next step of Scouting, as you prepare to become a Boy Scouts. They are many ways to enjoy your scouting experience, and many things to be gained as you pursue scouting. Advancement is one part of the mixture. Some day, when you are an adult, I guarantee a conversation will come your way in which you will mention your time as a scout. The question that always follows is, "Are you an Eagle Scout?" It's up to you how you will answer that question. Here's a note from Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame on what it takes to be able to answer that question "yes."

My time as your Webelos leader has now come to an end. I want to wish you well in Scouting and in life. May your life be everything you want it to be—and everything you choose to make it.

With best wishes to you,

Mr. King

Mike,
I'm not sure where I heard that you are an Eagle Scout, which brings me to my question. Could you PLEASE take a moment & post to my 13 year old son Kelby and encourage him to finish scouting (and anything else that'll help with this?) Reason I'm asking is that he only lacks 1 1/2 - 2 years in reaching Eagle, but some of his buddies have got him to thinking scouting isn't cool at his age.

Thanks much,

Gary

Kelby,

Your Dad asked me to drop you a line and say something inspirational that might persuade you to dig down deep and find the determination to make the rank of Eagle Scout. It's a reasonable request, from a father who obviously wants to see his son succeed. But here's the thing - The Eagle Award is not really meant for people who need to be dragged across the finish line. It's meant for a select few, and I have no idea if you have the guts to see it through.

Statistically, I suspect you do not. Only one out of a hundred Scouts make Eagle, so if you fail, there will be lots of other people with whom you can share excuses. Quitting now might disappoint your Dad, but I doubt that he or anyone else will be overly surprised. Anytime 99 out of 100 people do the same thing, it's not exactly a shock.

I'm not trying to be cute with a bunch of reverse psychology. When I was 15, there was nothing that anyone could have said to me that would have inspired me to do something I didn't want to do, especially a stranger with a TV show. So I'm not going to assume you're any different, or pretend that I have some influence or insight that you haven't already heard from a dozen other people who actually know and care about you. I'll just tell you straight up, that doing something extraordinary can be very lonely, and most people simply aren't cut out for it. Being an Eagle Scout requires you to be different than most everyone around you, and being different is really, really hard. That's why the award is called "an accomplishment."

Personally, and for whatever it's worth, the best decisions I've made in my own life, are those decisions that put me on the outside of being cool. Singing in the Opera, working in home shopping, staring in the school play when the entire football team laughed at me, and especially earning my Eagle, were all choices that required sacrifice, hard work, and delayed gratification. I have no idea if you possess those qualities, or even envy them. But I can tell you for certain, that NOT getting your Eagle, will be one of the easiest things you've ever done.

Anyway, I have no idea if you would prefer an easy life of predictability and mediocrity, or if have the passion to follow the road less traveled. Only you get to decide that.

Good Luck,

Mike

BLUE AND GOLD BANQUET -:- Extended Deadline

Dear Pack Parents:

I received an update from Bonnie Kampen, our Blue and Gold Banquet chair--she reports 86 people signed up so far--which represents 20 families from the 42 who are members of the pack.

Bonnie will contact our food vendor on Wednesday, so there is still a chance to participate.

For new pack members, this will take the place of our usual monthly pack meeting.

Reservation information is available here: http://pack108.blogspot.com/2009/02/blue-gold-banquet-clock-is-ticking.html

Looking for a good turnout,

BLUE & GOLD BANQUET -:- The Clock is Ticking

Dear Cub Scout Pack Parents:

Just a reminder to get your reservations for the Blue and Gold Banquet in to Bonnie Kampen. As of last night, only seven families had contacted Bonnie with a reservation. The reservation deadline is February 15 (Sunday).

For new parents, the Blue and Gold Banquet is our annual celebration of the birthday of cub scouting.

Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Dens are asked to bring a side dish to share
Tiger Dens are asked to bring a dessert dish

Date: February 22
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 North 5th Avenue, St. Charles, IL

Reservation Form

Program

As you plan your food item to bring and share, let me share a note regarding nut allergies from one of our pack families:

First, when a child is eating nuts, even though it may be in a confined area, proper washing of hands with soap and running water is required to rinse the nut oils and salts from the hands. If this is not done, the oil and salts can easily be spread to other common items and then transferred to another person. Even though we have bring medication for this, we would rather not spend the evening in the emergency room as a consequence of nut exposure.

The second reason, for which there is no medication, is the exclusion factor. It's difficult for a young boy to be excluded from any event and watching other boys enjoy something that he is denied is difficult.

I know there may be customs, such as enjoying nuts—and dishes with nuts—at a Scouting event, but moving away from nuts helps make our pack events safer and more inclusive for everyone.

Best regards,

Ken King
Cubmaster

Webelos Den Meeting -:- Nick's Pizza

Dear Webelos Den Parents:

Our final webelos den meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 17.

We will relive one of the most talked-about activities the boys did during their time as webelos--the pizza-making tour of Nick's pizza.

I've booked Nick's for ten boys and ten adults. This assumes that one adult will be there with each boy. If you can't make it--or wish to bring a "plus one," let me know and I will make adjustments.

The scout cost is $4.50 per boy and $9.00 per parent. It counts as dinner, so it works out pretty well. Alex: if you can make it after school, let me know and we will cover the cost of your pizza.

Our final event as a den will be the Blue and Gold Banquet on February 22. If you haven't made your reservation, please get in touch with Bonnie.

I will see many of you on Saturday with the Winterall.

Best always,

Ken

P. S.

The boys are welcome to come over to my house after school...we will leave from my place at 3:30 to arrive at Nick's Pizza (Randall Road in Elgin) by 4:00 pm. Please be sure they bring their scout uniform with them or wear it to school on that day.

Webelos Den -:- Winterall Update

Dear Winterall Group/Webelos Parents:

We should depart at 8:30 Saturday morning from the Davis parking lot.

Mr. Mikelson and Mr. King are attending, so we are covered for adult leaders and transportation.

Here is a list of what to bring. While not stated, I would encourage the boys to bring some snacks in case the noon meal is not to their liking. For the curious, here are the events scheduled.

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As a reminder, this will serve as our Webelos meeting for the week of 2/8 - 2/14....I will have more information soon on our final "official" den meeting on the 17th.

Our final den event together will be the Blue and Gold Banquet on 2/22. Then--off to Boy Scouting.

Best always,

Ken

Pack 108 Blue and Gold Banquet

Dear Cub Scout Pack Parents:

Just a reminder to get your reservations for the Blue and Gold Banquet in to Bonnie Kampen.

For new parents, the Blue and Gold Banquet is our annual celebration of the birthday of cub scouting.

Date: February 22
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 North 5th Avenue, St. Charles, IL

Reservation Form

Program

Best regards,

Ken King
Cubmaster

Webelos Tonight!

Dear Webelos Parents:

I seem to need reminders more and more, so here's one from me to you in case you're in that state, too.

We will meet Mr. Broadhead from Troop 13 tonight.

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Saturday is the Winterall event...several Webelos have signed up to participate, but I will make available one more opportunity to participate. Just bring $7.00 cash (or a check for $7.00 payable to "Three Fires Council") to me this evening. I will deliver the reservation to the scout shop tomorrow, just in time for their final deadline.

The Winterall will serve as our meeting for the following week, as I have to work next Tuesday (10 February). Our final meeting as a den will take place on 17 February and the Blue and Gold Banquet will take place on 22 February.

If you haven't made your reservation with Bonnie Kampen, please don't forget.

Best always,

Ken