Scouting

My oldest son went to his first scout camp this week. It has been interesting to have him gone. He is one of my biggest helpers! :)

Before he left, we had a talk with him though. He is just a few months shy of being 13. We talked to him about scout camp, what it would be like, and the importance of following the rules at all times. We told him that he would be in the wilderness, and that scouts got hurt or died when they didn't follow the rules. Not on purpose, but because accidents are much more likely to happen.

I guess another scout at a different location just died last night. Very saddening to me. I was somewhat perturbed about something my friend wrote though. It's her opinion, and she can have it, just like I can have mine. Her opinion was that she was glad she decided not to let her son be in scouts because there always seems to be someone getting killed.

I was thinking about it, and let's put it into perspective a little... taking from the scout page on the internet... there are over 30 million scouts all over the world. 30 MILLION. In the United States there are over 3.5 million scouts. Odds are there are going to be accidents, there are going to be fatal accidents, with that many scouts. It's just reality.

Reading the manuals and rules for adults and youth, they do everything possible to make sure that the activities are as safe as possible. Still, there is a risk. There is a possibility that something could happen.

Just like if you get into your car today and drive, there is a risk/possibility that you will get hurt or die.

Should I let that possibility keep my son from having great learning experiences?

Why don't they write stories about all the good things that scouting does? Rarely do you hear about the service projects, which are many, or how different experiences help them learn different things.

When I was in high school, one of my friends died while on a varsity scout high adventure trip. They had gone to the grand canyon. It was hotter than normal that year, and some of the scouts hadn't brought enough water. My friend died from heat exhaustion/heat stroke because he shared his water with others, leaving him with not enough water for himself.

This was a group of experienced scouts. Unexpected things happen. Sad things.

Unlike my friend though, I still think that scouting teaches important things, and that the risks are worth it.

The Rice Krispie Monster

I learned something new today. It's been a LONG time since I have made rice krispie treats. A LONG TIME! Long enough that I could only vaguely remember the ingredients and how to put them together.

Shane was in charge of treats for pack meeting this month for the cub scouts and he decided on rice krispie treats. Easy. No prob...uh...wait...I haven't made those for about 10+ years!

So, I began my rice krispie making quest. You wouldn't think I would have to use almost all of my cooking skills to make this "easy" treat, but I did! I found the "official" recipe online. This was after almost completely flubbing the first batch...

it didn't fill the entire pan, the butter didn't completely melt, but the marshmallows were DONE and let's just say, if you like extra marshmallow with your krispie treat, than that is the batch for you!

Onto the next batch (I had to make four pans full). This time I counted the marshmallows...all forty of them, I mostly melted the butter before I put the marshmallows in, but the krispie to marshmallow ratio was a little dry for my liking. Some people like them this way...but not me. I made a mental note...

Batch three. I used fewer krispies and ended up barely reaching the edges of the pan. These treats are for those who want to feel like they're eating a full piece of krispie treat, but it's a WHOLE lot thinner than the others.

Batch four. I added ten more marshmallows than the previous batches. PERFECTION! Enough mixture for the entire pan, perfect krispie/marshmallow ratio, just perfect. I bet all the other krispie treats are jealous because of this perfect pan. ;)

Then I made another batch since I still needed to fill in about 1/3 of the first pan. Perfection again! I had hit upon the perfect way to make rice krispie treats and it only took 4 tries to do it!

I better write it down before I forget...

Rice Krispies
(for jellyroll pan size)

1/2 cube butter (1/4 cup)
50 marshmallows
8 cups rice krispies

-melt butter in LARGE bowl in microwave
-add marshmallows and microwave until big and fluffy looking
-stir the marshmallows to mostly mix in with butter
-add rice krispies and mix together
-pour onto greased jellyroll pan
-spread out and pack down mixture (a buttered butter knife may be helpful in doing this step)

voila! Perfect Rice Krispie Treats!

Pinewood Derby 2009

This was Harrison's first pinewood derby. He was SO excited for it! Thanks to the help of one of our ward members, Harrison was able to have a little help on his car since Shane wasn't exactly in condition to do it.

Harrison picked out how he wanted it to look. He informed me that it is a "Boba Fett" helmet car. I guess it's supposed to look like the helmet on Boba Fett from Star Wars. I guess... I thought it looked like everyone would think he was going to Box Elder, since their colors are purple and white. Yes, believe me, that has been a hard one to stomach.

Anyway, Harrison had a lot of fun. He won 4 out of 6 races and I guess got 4th or 5th place. He won the "coolest car award." Remember? We're in Bee country so of course they would think it looked cool! ;)

One of the neat things about being a mom...

So, last night was pack meeting. This is a monthly meeting that they have for the cub scouts program. Harrison has only been in cub scouts for a month, so this is the second pack meeting we have actually been too. The first pack meeting I kind of wondered about things...meaning that even though I could appreciate the hard work, I felt like it was kind of cheesy. It was MUCH better this month. Just a typical youth fun meeting.

Anyway, Harrison earned his bobcat badge. Yay! So, that was pretty special. I think he thought it was pretty special too. It wasn't that hard to earn, but I think it made him feel good to receive an award for something that he achieved. One of the things I think is nice is that they have mother pins. Every time a scout earns a rank badge he also earns a pin for his mom to wear. I remember my mom always getting pins when my brothers earned things, and I didn't think anything of it, but boy does it feel different when you are the mom!

So, that was just a neat experience for me. I look forward to many more! :)