Training His Instinct

The twins and I joined J at the council camporee this week in celebration of the War of 1812, America's second war of independence. We moved from station to station completing activities. The twins were a little nervous around the seven-foot inflatable Eagle, but J was immediately interested in getting a photo. Of his own accord he is looking forward to earning his Eagle Scout Award many years from now.

At one point I considered the scene of the camporee held on the ground of Montpelier: animal skins on a display by the teepee, riot gear on a table guarded by a sheriff, ten foot "model" rockets, tug-of-war, a BB gun range, an archery range, a helicopter landing, remote-controlled airplanes, the Go Army climbing wall, and many other games requiring skill and encouraging competition. With that in the landscape of the camporee, the stories of battles of the War of 1812 were told. Is there any doubt that this event was for boys? If Joshua ends up an engineer or on the Olympic shooting team (his current dream) or physics instructor I will remind him of this camporee.

There was a time when I really didn't understand the purpose of Cub Scouting. I get it now. (And I have to insert that it's helpful that I'm no longer confused by awards.) In our relatively combat-free culture J's warrior instincts are tempered and taught in Cub Scouts and I'm grateful that he feels like he is a part of a tribe.