Merit Badges

The boy had a Court Of Honor at scouts tonight. A time to honor all the work and fun the boys have had over the past few months. There were 178 total badges earned since June and my bit earned 10 of them. The merit bashes are a way of marking the journey, stopping to experience it and not rush through with only the destination in mind.

Fishing

Went deep sea fishing with the Boy Scouts. We headed out towards Catalina Island as far as the oil derricks. There was a sea lion playing in the water near our boat a lot of the time.

Not many people caught fish even though I provided some extra bait with last night's dinner going overboard.

Response

Sometimes life is about how we respond to what we are dealt. A bottle opener added on to a prosthetic is a positive response.

Anthony, the camp director, lost his lower leg to an IED in Iraq.  It does not slow him down as he works with boys at scout camp.

The Scout Law

A Scout is
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent

Big Bear Lake

Had to take a 4 mile hike to get cell reception. The view is totally worth it.

Hmmmm 7/22

So, this must be an old tent, I think the scouts had a vote on this last year.

Assembly July 21

First morning assembly at Camp Holcomb Valley Scout Reservation.

Edwards Air Force Base

Went to Edwards Air Force Base with the scouts today. This is where the history of jet flight was made.

Camp Trask

My brother took his son to Camp Trask when he was little, I took my son there as well. I've heard stories that my grandfather took my uncles.

This weekend I was there with both my nephew and my son. One of the best and at the same time hardest moments was having my picture taken with the boys.

Dogs

Today I took some scouts to an open house at a veteranary school. The boys earned the Veteranary Scienc merit badge and learned a bit. We saw a police dog demonstration.

Fire

I'm not sure what's come of the world when a scout camp doesn't allow wood fires at the camp out, gas fires only.

Scout Camp

I helped lead our scout troop on a skills camp.

New Scouts

Today was New Scout Introduction Day. Older scouts showing the new guys some of the basics.

Yes, there were donuts.

Dutch Oven

The Dutch Oven has at least two meanings. For the Boy Scouts it means something tasty is cooking.

First you have to heat up the coals.

1910 - 2010

In the 1980's I was a Boy Scout, it was a much better experience for me than Cub Scouts. My son's experience with Cub Scouts was much better than mine and now he's moved on to Boy Scouts, which means I have moved on as well. I enjoy being a part of his positive experience and I enjoy sharing the scouting experience with him. It also highlights the positive of my youth and my step dad's involvement with my growth.

The Desert

I used to live out here in the desert. Some parts of it have changed, there's stoplights and a lot more people but the vastness and beauty remains.