A Great Boy Talk

We try to get into the schools and give the boys a peptalk about joining Scouting. At Cherry Creek school near the office, Cub Master Jim Yates and I had the opportunity to go in during noon time. The Pack had participated in the Cardboard Classic race on the Marquette Mountain Ski Hill and Jim brought the winning sled in as a prop while I had the Pinewood Derby car samples. We gave our pitch and at the end there was some time remaining so Jim asked if anyone had any questions. One boy who was already a Cub Scout excitedly blurted out, "Mr. Yates is my leader....and my bus driver....and I made one of those cars....and built a boat....and that sled....and we are going to Lake Superior.... and we are gonna pick up trash....so the birds won't eat it and get sick....and we are going to save the world."

I had learned some time ago to temper my rhetoric on what Scouting can accomplish. I figure that if Scouting were going to save the world, it would have done so some time in the last hundred years. Rather, our goal should be what Baden Powell asked in his last letter, to motivate people "to leave the world a better place than they found it." So I don't think Pack 361's service project will save the world, but there is a boy at Cherry Creek School who I am sure will leave the world a better place than he found it because of Scouting.

Boy Talk Memory

OA Section C1B Conclave

Our Order of the Arrow Lodge hosted the Section C1B Conclave for 5 councils- Appleton, Wausau, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and us. There were 325 in attendance. Little did they realize they would have the opportunity for mountain climbing.

Everyone was a bit apprehensive about whether our little lodge could pull this off, but everything went flawlessly. I was not only proud of the way the lodge handled the event, but the way our Scouts worked at cleaning up after the event and the enthusiasm they showed, especially during the elections.

Regrettably, I got out of the picture taking mode at this event and just took this one.

Hessell XXIII

Troop 140 in the extreme eastern UP hosts an annual International Scout Rally for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from Hiawathaland Council, Canada, Lower Michigan, and a small Wisconsin representation. It is always a fun time with a different theme every year. This year was super heroes. Each group has an activity. I am always amazed at the creativity of the groups and must admit the Girl Scouts always have cuter stuff than the boys. Dale Streichert is the ultimate leader for the event with strong support by John Kenn. Dale is shown in silhouette at the dawn's early light addressing the troops.

United Way Chili Cook Off

The Copper Country Chili Cook Off is always a fun event. Lots of good food to sample and friendly folks. The Scouts present the colors and we have a display. Commissioner Tim Jenkins and Board Member Theresa Coleman-Kaiser are shown with the display. The Scouts from Troop 208 and Webelos from Pack 209 helped clear the tables and several were interviewed by the wandering MC and did very well.