Scouting can be one of the most important gifts you can give to your family. Studies have shown that kids in Scouting programs excel in school and in life. With a new outdoor emphasis in 2015, and an official openness to all boys and leaders (finally!), Cub Scouts (grades 1-5) and Boy Scouts (grade 6-12) are more involved with communities and the environment. And it’s fun here in the Mad River Valley.
Wednesday, November 4 at 5:30 to 6:00 will be another opportunity to check out Cub Scouting with water bottle rocket launching in the parking lot of Waitsfield Elementary School. From 6:00 to 7:00 Scouts will be playing indoor ball games as a part of the Scouting program. All boys in grades 1-5 are welcome to join in on the fun! Kids and parents can learn about the new Scouting Program with its age appropriate activities depending upon the grade of the boys. For questions about Cub Scouts see http://www.scouting.org/Home/CubScouts.aspx. For a list of the adventures for each grade with Tigers for First Graders, Wolves for Second Graders, Bears for Third Graders and Webelos for Fourth and Fifth Graders: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/program_update/pdf/Appended%20Requirements.pdf
Overscheduling is a genuine concern- homework, chores, sports, family activities. Scouting is streamlined to fit into your family's schedule. Scouting is a once a week commitment with a monthly family activity (hike, movie, wood stacking, food shelf baking, movie, visit to fire station, rock climbing, pinewood derby, Globetrotters, space station flyover) and a parent meeting once per month.
Scouting has a recruiting problem. Today’s parents rely heavily on their children’s direction for involvement in activities. Nine years ago, my son as a First Grader saw a poster on the wall in the hallway of his school. He saw a picture of a boy doing archery. He came home and asked about Scouting. He got it. Today, posters, flyers in backpacks, presentations during assemblies and lunchtime, and information tables during open houses, are all no longer permitted; they are regarding as solicitations on school property. That said, the schools in the Valley LOVE Scouting. We double up on education standards and everything they say about education being fun and adventurous. But they cannot longer let us recruit at school. This means your children will not get exposure of the adventures of Scouting at school. It is up to you to introduce your son to the activities of Scouting.
Because of this change, Scouting has many fewer boys in the Mad River Valley. On the other hand, we have dedicated trained volunteers proving a program which has produced two Eagle Scouts this year, and more in the pipeline. Our Cubmaster is me- AnnMarie Harmon, mother of three, with over 10 years leading Cub Scouts. Continuing with the Cubs, the "new" Boy Scoutmaster is Rick Rayfield, PhD, who is an Eagle Scout, Scout Camp Staffer, Red Cross Swimming Instructor, and father of four. We have other distinguished Scouters and parents helping on the Cub and Scout Committees. Join as a leader, join as a family, and give your kid a chance to experience Scouting. I highly encourage you to investigate Cub Scouting online and to also check out the State’s Green Mountain Council website for more information here: http://www.scoutingvermont.org/. But see for yourself; come to the Waitsfield School Wednesday Nov 4th.
If you have questions you can contact me Ann Marie Harmon at 371-9997. Call Rick at 229-8237.
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