Well it looks like 2014 is here and in full swing. Last year
was pretty amazing for us as a Scouting family and especially for my son.
He started the year with his second spring term as the Troop
SPL, helped is buddies complete several Eagle Projects, completed his own
project which benefited our Charter Org, became an Eagle Scout, was SPL for
one of the Council Jamboree Troops, and earned a bronze palm. Whew! Oh and he
also turned 16 and got his first car.
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| Having a blast as Jambo ASM |
It was one of those years that I do not think he will truly appreciate
until he is much older.
Of course through all of these adventures I was there as
well. I saw that he was far more effective during his second round as SPL since
he was able to apply many of the lessons he had learned through trial and error
the first time. I also so much of this experience go into action as Jamboree
SPL which in his own words was the most difficult thing he had ever done. This was
mostly due to the Troop dynamics of a Jamboree Troop not allowing a lot of
Patrol level segmentation. This basically left him running everything which was
difficult but a great learning experience.
His Eagle Project was great with him able to use his
leadership skills and many of the skills he has been learning in school through
his engineering academy. His Scoutmaster really challenged him to pull off a
first class project.
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| Conner's Project: Donation boxes |
Upon reflection, it is just amazing to think of how much
Scouting over the years has become part of who he is and who we are together as
father and son. I know that many years from now we will look back and tell
stories galore about these times. The years have shaped both of us into better
people.
What does the future hold?
I am continuing as a Troop ASM and we both have one more adventure ahead
with Northern Tier in June. Life is good indeed.
