Outdoor cooking

I learned something fun at University of Scouting last weekend. Actually,i learned a LOT of fun things. But this is one I had been looking for the opportunity to try out.

A number ten can, over a tuna fish can that has some cardboard, wax, and string, organized properly, of course.

So I told the kids for dinner who'd do a magic trick. I put the dry ingredients in one bag, the wet in another, and grabbed what I needed, and headed outside.

It worked out Awesomely! the kids enjoyed dinner, and I discovered that I can cook a decent meal outside!

What did I Learn?

1. don't let the 4 year old hold the dry stuff bag while I dump in the wet stuff.

2. the can is hot. Use a hot pad to stabilize it while flipping a pancake.

3. if the ground is not flat, an egg on the top of the can falls off the can.

4. things not to forget - a way to dish out the batter, a pancake turner, LOTS of butter for the top, a hot pad, and eggs, because once you cook pancakes on the top of a number ten can, it's sacrilegious not to try eggs.

5. a lot of water to clean up the area once you finish. (Like the spilled egg, the milk that hit the ground when the four year old let go of the dry stuff bag ...).

Next time, Bacon!!! And hot chocolate ...

Monster cookies

Today we made cookies. Yes, that's right, we took 5 boys, of approximately 9 years of age, and made cookies.

Slightly noisy, and the cookies were monstrous. (Note; if you use an ice cream scoop to make cookies, the middle doesn't cook as well because they are really big).

Thankfully, we have an awesome Bear leader now, and she was somehow able to get the cookies made with only minimal damage to the kitchen. (Bet you've never seen 9 year olds clean the kitchen!! <- totally awesome).

Anyway - food plus cubs is possible, and turns out great!

What is Wood Badge

The last two weekends, Ben and I were at Wood Badge. What is wood Badge? Honestly, two weeks ago, I would have said exactly the same thing.

My entire knowledge on the subject was This: Ben and I were going to a leadership training for scout leaders.

Two weeks Later: Oh my Gosh!!!! I can't believe we got lucky enough that I got to go!!!!!! It was totally awesome!

Not only was it a blast, (seriously, it was fun), but it was amazing. I now understand scouts in a way I never had before. I understand the beginnings, I understand the program, (I can actually help my boys now), and I learned so much about leadership, communication, and teamwork!

Terminology check: (not necessary, if you go, you'll learn!!!)

Patrols:the first day the group is divided into 8 groups of between 5 and 7 people. This is your "Patrol." You'll be doing everything with these folks for the next 6 days, get used to the idea! This is the group you do teamwork activities with, learning, and make friends that will last a lifetime.

Critter: each patrol is assigned a critter, Beaver, bobwhite, Eagle, Fox, Owl, Bear, Buffalo, or Antelope. Each person in your patrol will likely have a lot in common, and you'll find lots in common with your critter. My husband is a Bear. Nurturing, resourceful, totally awesome . . . (or is that part just my opinion). :-).

Gilwell: the main meeting place - historical meaning behind it, "Gilwell field" is the place flag ceremonies are held. Gilwell order is the proper order of the critters, as sung in the Gilwell song ... (order is Beaver, Bobwhite, Eagle, Fox, Owl, Bear, Buffalo, Antelope) - some rare wood badges have other critters.

Ticket: Wood badge is a two part process. The 6 day course, where you learn a TON - (often two 3 day weekends), and the practical application part which constitutes your "ticket." These are goals that you have written based on what you've learned, regarding your position in scouting, and goals you have. When your goals are done, you have filled your ticket, and you have earned your beads. You will have a beading ceremony, where you get a well earned neckerchief, leather slide, and two wooden beads. time limit - 18 months from date of your training course.

This training was totally awesome. Honestly I cried when I left today, it was amazing. I'm leaving with a new love and understanding of scouting. I have so much I can do to make my cubs learn more, and turn into the best young men they can be!!!!

If you ever have a chance to go to Wood Badge, do it!! they have scholarships to help out, many units will actually PAY for all or part of the training. and it's amazing!! Did I mention it's totally worth it? Your position in scouts will never be the same, you will accomplish more, be happier with it, and your boys (or girls if you are in venturing) will turn out so much better!!

Bird + hot dog = ?

the campfire went amazingly well. When we got there we had flag ceremony. The first time for many of them actually pulling a flag up a pole!

then we sent the cubs to find sticks to sharpen, while our lone webelo lit the fire. (It lit RIGHT up). Note: cubs basically need 1:1 to sharpen sticks ... just for the record. Expect it to take a lot longer than planned.

One of the cubs was so careful to get his hot dog perfectly cooked. He was so proud of it. As he walked toward the hot dog buns, a lone bird flew overhead and ... released it's most recent meal and it landed perfectly on top of his hot dog ....

I have to say, it was really funny! He had to cook a new hot dog, because the bird did poop on his hot dog, but ... it was kind of funny!

Smores went well too ... (and when we got home we used our backup plan with the leftovers, marshmallow creme, with Graham crackers and candy bars - a rainy day smore).

All in all, it was a success!!! :-)

The Name Game

I have to admit, I'm not the best with names. (No surprises there). When I was suddenly confronted with a bunch of Cubs, (dressed alike), I felt pretty awkward trying to figure out their names.

As a result, we came up with a game that worked well. After our original run-through of names, I started filling my pocket with Taffy (or Tootsie rolls), for each den meeting. If I got their name wrong, (either didn't remember or used the wrong name), I had to give them a piece of candy.

Instead of the boys being frustrated when I forgot their names, they were delighted! And the constant, "what's my name" helped me get their names down faster than I would have otherwise.

Cost: 3 bags of taffy over a 2 month period.

Result: I know their names. Totally worth it!!!

Campfire and flags.

For Scouts this week I decided to go out on a limb and take the boys for a campfire. I'm technically in the Webelos, but we've been combining with the wolves recently, to achieve the 2 deep leadership. (We have 1 webelo, and his mother is the wolf leader).

We're building a campfire, (picking up sticks as a service project), and learning to fold a flag. Then this will be topped off with hot dogs and smores!

Backup plan ... indoor flag folding, fake smores (marshmallow creme instead of marshmallows), and homemade corn dogs. Since my husband is the corn dog maker, ... he is praying we don't have rain. Because hot dogs for the entire troop is much easier than corn dogs! (The bears are joining us for our first "real" outdoor of the summer.)

A new adventure

Recently I was called as a cub scout leader, (along with my husband, of course). And I'm figuring this out one day at a time. Also, as a result of being IN the cub scouts, I discovered a nearby Tiger cub den, which means my son can also enter cub scouts much earlier than I anticipated!

So: with any luck, I can chronicle my successes, and inevitable failures (I've already had a number), and hopefully, I will learn something through all this!!