CUBAREE 2019

Jay and James attended the Cub Scout Cubaree this weekend - James' last Cubaree before becoming a Boy Scout in early 2020. The theme was Jurassic Park, so there were lots of dinosaurs running around and dino-themed activities for the kids. James had a great time with his Pack and an even better time getting to spend some one-on-one time with his daddy!

(That's James on the right in the animatronic velociraptor mask I got his for the occasion)

(Dance party on the new stage/fire circle at Camp Hood)

TROOP 3315 ECO-ADVENTURERS!

After reviewing the Leave No Trace principles and hiking safety rules, Jay and I led the girls (and their families) on a 3-mile hike after school today. We chose a different route than Cora and I had scouted earlier in the month, since that section was such a mess from the tornadoes, but we ended up having just as many setbacks on the alternate route... ditch crossings, a bit of time where we lost the trail, and eventually ending up on the original route somehow... No matter though - everyone had fun, nobody got hurt, and we all got some exercise while working towards badges. This is a fabulous group of kids and their siblings/parents are really supportive and involved, which makes adventures like this even easier!

Those of us at the back of the pack saw this gorgeous little snake (Midland/De Kay's brownsnake, Storeria dekayi) after everyone else kicked up the leaves (it was tiny - barely bigger than a worm!):

Lots of up and down and around to get to the other side (the road):

Jay found a lucky horseshoe... in a tree...

We finally made it out to the road (and quickly walked that last mile to finish before dinner!)

CLIMBING, JUMPING, FLYING

We went to a new-to-us "jumpy place" so that the Girl Scouts could earn their climbing badge. James and Cora both had the best time and were totally worn out by the end!

Climbing badge earned!

KNOTTY

With Jay coaching Cora's soccer team on Tuesday nights and soccer/Cub Scout schedule conflicts for James, he's lucky to make to every other Scout meeting this fall, and when he goes, I take him. I have to admit that this year has been much calmer and more productive (one less kid - and the ones who stay tend to take it more seriously as they get older), and I've truly enjoyed my evenings with James. We usually grab dinner solo on the way home too and it's so nice to sit and have conversations with just him - he's a truly entertaining kid :-)

SCOUT FRIDAY

 The Juniors spent time working on their Amuse Journey today

SEPTEMBER SCOUTS

Cora's Junior uniform came in and while the hat is a bit big on her, she's happy to look official!

We had a lesson about camping and Leave No Trace at this meeting, so I brought one of our tents for the girls to set up in the hallway and test out (lots of them have never been camping before...)

TROOP 3315 FALL KICKOFF

Girl Scouts kicked off today and I had one very happy little girl to get to spend time with her Scout friends, including some new little recruits (we have our first "Sprout" this year in Sadie, Anna Paiten's little sister) and a visit from one of Cora's favorites (Bailey) who in 7th grade this year and no longer at Bowmar.

We pulled out an oldie-but-goodie rainbow craft to help the girls learn their Girl Scout Promise and Law, and it seemed to be a big hit with everyone:

PACK 104 FIELD TRIP

Our Pack Leaders planned a fun day at the Ocean Adventures Marine Park down in Gulfport, Mississippi as their final summer activity before school starts. It required a very early start, so we had some sweetly napping kids for the majority of the drive down there:

We started with a presentation (death by PowerPoint...) and a group activity, and then we spread out into Den groups to explore the park! There were multiple ray pools, a parakeet house, a bird show, a dolphin show, a museum, and a touch pool with surrounding terrarium exhibits. It's a small park, but they pack a lot in and we felt that it was all well kept and done nicely.

William, James, and Derrick (our Arrow of Light Den):

(Apparently Cora was still tired on the way home... after a stop for a heavy, and early, dinner at the Abita Brew Pub!)