Community; It Takes a Village...

....TO MAKE AN EAGLE FLY


My son, who is now 28 years old, started his Boy Scout career when he was 6 years old. By the time he was 7 he had decided that he would one day become a Eagle Scout. As he progressed up the scouting trail we signed on as well.

My husband became an assistant scout master in 1993, the same year I joined the troop committee. And one thing that was clearly apparent was the wonderful parent participation in our troop. There were six or seven assistant scout masters and a dozen or so committee members. In 1999 Tom became the Scout Master. And in 2002 I started my time as Venture Crew Advisor for my daughter's crew.

From 1993 to today, Troop 114 has seen aprox. 35 Eagle Scouts. IMHO that's monentous! (Only 2% of boys who join scouting make it to Eagle.)

My daughter's crew is the only co-ed crew that has had any success over a period of 8 years.

(I don't say this to toot my own horn, but to point out the importance of parent participation)

Scouting is one of the pillars of our family life. It makes a positive difference in the lives of almost every child who joins. It not only builds character but equips youth with the social skills to be successful throughout their lives.

As adult members of the BSA we have joined a family of leaders and teachers who have enriched our lives and shown us love in many, many ways.

So, I can say without reservation, that when the village joins together, the child is raised well and learns to fly, very high indeed!

To purchase this canvas growth chart, or others like it, visit;

www.JudyAGoddard.Etsy.com

Passion's Picks~ For men and boys!

From the very little to the very old, what would the world be without the men who love us?

Here's a gift for the very little; to watch him grow and gain and make his way.

And one for the very old! or maybe for the outdoorsy type, or one who collects canes and sticks!

If you think you'd like to gift your favorite man or boy, you can see these and other items like them at my Etsy shop; www.JudyAGoddard.Etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddard.Etsy.com

www.finishthis.etsy.com

www.JudyAGoddardArtisan.blogspot.com

www.JudyGoddard.Homestead.com

The Barnegat forest fire, March 20, 2010

My husband and I went down to our local boy scout camp this evening. Many of our friends were involved in a training weekend. the camp should have been teaming with happy, yelling boys and nearly exhausted leaders.

As we drove up the back roads toward the camp we began to smell smoke. That's when my husband told me he had heard that there was a forest fire in the area. The closer we came to the camp the thicker the smoke became. We began to see wild life along the road, all heading away from the thickest smoke. We passed a couple of fire engines but nobody stopped us.

We finally pulled in to the camp parking lot and there was not a car to be seen. That was erie enough. Then we noticed the empty camp sites, with the tents still in them and gear sitting where it had been dropped. The parade field was littered with half build wooden catapults.

We drove past the dining hall and it was dark in the front but the lights were on in the back. As we headed back out we stopped at the camp master's cabin, where the offices are and found the back door wide open, lights on and noone there. Now it was really ooky!

It was obvious that the folks in camp had been ordered to drop and run. But the big question was, if they had to leave so fast that they couldn't even take down their tents, how did they get all the kids out, with their parents not there to pick them up?

It was seriously scary.

We closed the backdoor and got back into the car and headed towards the fire. (I know!)

We stopped at a friend's house that was nearby to make sure he was safe. He said that there had been a mandatory evacutation, but that he and some neighbors had decided to stay put. As I stood there talking to him, a huge herd of deer hurried through his back yard. After making sure that he was OK we got back in our car and went even closer to the fire. We passed several more fire engines with folks standing around and nobody told us to turn around. As we came off the little lane, on to the highway that led back home, off to the right the sky was an incredible shade of vermillion, and right across the road from our car we could see the fire breaks that the firemen had been setting.

It was really cool seeing the fire breaks right in the pines, just before us! But we turned left and headed for home.

Oh my! what an adventure!

Somebody Pinch Me!!

I am a member of the Boy Scouts of America, as a leader. My husband is a scout master. My 21 year old daughter is an assistant scout master and Venture Crew advisor. My son is an Eagle Scout and I'm a crew advisor and committee member. We've been involved in the BSA for 17 years now.

And we've all been trained. And trained.....and trained! The highest level being the Wood Badge Course. There is a real atitude of brotherhood amongst the men and women who have passed through that portal.

Last night was our council's annual Wood Badge Dine In. It's a night to get together and get a little silly. We have dinner, then induct new leaders into the brotherhood through a special ceremony called a "beading". That's when those who have completed the training get their Wood Badge neckerchief, leather waggle and Wood Badge beads.

Afterwards there is an auction to raise funds for a Wood Badge scholarship to help those who want to go through Wood Badge, but can't afford it.

This year I donated a hand painted hiking staff.

The one I painted for myself has my "totem" that is the symbol of the patrol I belong to, which is the bald eagle. I also included my husband's, the buffalo. The inscription I used was from "Taps", Day is done, Gone the sun, God is nigh.

When my staff finally came up, the auctioneer held up my staff and explained that I would hand paint a custom staff for the highest bidder.

My cane won the highest bid last night!! It was purchased for $200.00!! I am beyond excited by this! To be able to add to the scholarship coffers this way and to know that I really do have an artistic idea that others value!

So, today it's off to Lowes to buy a hard wood dowel, one inch thick, and get right to work!

Somebody pinch me!!

Boy Scouts; it isn't just for boys anymore!

In  1998, the Boy Scouts of America instituted a new branch of boy scouting.  It's called "Venturing"  and is targeting boys and girls  ages of 14 through 20.  Kids who are interested in high adventure, art, and sports are joining in record numbers.  Some churches use Venturing as their youth group programs.

My daughter was a charter member of the first co-ed crew in our council.  She was the first, in our council, to spend a week at boy scout camp, the first girl to hike a trek at Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, from our council. 

   Did I mention she was the first girl volunteer sent to the National Jamboree, from our council as well?

Do you know a girl who likes to rock climb?  Hike for miles with a 45 lb pack on her back, shot rifles and pistols?  I do!  And I get to see her do it all the time!  Not only am I her mother, but a crew advisor as well!