Off to the Philmont Scout Ranch

Some young men I know boarded the Amtrack last Friday in Kansas City bound for Cimmaron. They have been planning this High Adventure for nearly two years. They have chosen to backpack 83 miles in 10 days in the mountains of New Mexico carrying all their supplies (replenishing water and food at stations along the way).

Coup are a Mark of Excellence

Dance practice last Wednesday turned out to be a good thing for the twins: social time with other Tribesmen, plus they learned about an upcoming dance. They only need one more public dance--which is tonight--to be awarded their "Blue Coup." This bead symbolizes the accomplishment of volunteering at 15 dances and attending 15 dance practices. Luckily, Tyler was here to give them a ride on Wednesday. In exchange, I fed him chili and cinnamon rolls. Lots of cinnamon rolls.

Down By the Sea-port

Paul is such a good golfer that he won two tournaments this summer, and he made his first hole-in-one! The twins were impressed. We were the lucky recipients of his first-place prize: 4 tickets to the Mystic Seaport (valued at $100).

This 1840s village features 50 some buildings and ships, with docents in period attire. Perfect for the four of us! We learned about rope making, below-deck bunks, chronometers, and half-clipper hulls. In fact, we learned the fastest ship of the day was built in Mystic, Connecticut, in 1859 and made a record trip to California in just 89 days. (This was one of the reasons that the Pony Express was founded=89-day mail service is just annoying). It was fun for me to see their one-room schoolhouse, chapel, and printery. The training vessel for young cabin boys is now used for Boy Scout overnights. Polar Bear rented a wheel chair for most of the day so we could get around quicker.

Counting Down the Days

Dorito is excited for college. All the textbooks have been ordered. The alcohol awareness test was passed. New shoes were bought. Four more Wildcat T-shirts were purchased bringing the total to eight!
But the twins and I are getting very sentimental. We are going to feel the upcoming separation acutely--probably for the whole semester. Winger even said how they want to spend every minute with Dorito these last two weeks before he leaves for K-State.
All total, Dorito has been gone 62 days this summer.  He has one last camp: NYLT concluded this weekend. And he just got back from Pow Wow. I wish I had a new photo since his crew cut. He finally told us the story about roasting and eating a wild hog during Venture Crew's trip to Beaver Lake last week. Whoa!

Bad Case of Itching

The twins got sent home from Scout Camp Staff because their small case of poison ivy is now a big case. Or maybe it is poison oak, poison sumac, or something else. The hot sweaty weather has made it spread from forearms to armpits and stomach and chest. Of course it was 9 pm when they called us. So we did Aveeno bath, Benedryl capsules, and hydrocortisone cream. We'll see if they can get into the doctor in the morning. They are bummed to sleep at home when all the other staffers are in the bunk house. (They are so thrilled to be chosen for the final week of camp as replacement staff positions for those who went to National Scout Jamboree.)

The Face of Thursday Nights

Every Thursday for ceremonies, Dorito gets to paint his whole face. He is a Runner in Mic-o-Say and therefore wears the most face paint of any other rank. Of course, it all depends on your own creativity and there is the unstated goal of looking scary to the Foxmen. Running, creating, leading -- such great components of Camp Geiger, where they are happy to stay for six days at a time with no girls and no internet.

First-ever Runner Week

Fourth of July Week

This Week's Variation

Who is the Tapper?!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any more exciting this summer.... Thursday's tapping ceremony was performed by ONE Tribesman and his name was Keeper of the Sacred Bundle "Hunts Buffalo." Right--our own Colton Zirkle from Troop 216--the mentor of Polar Bear and the winner of the prestigious Hornaday Award. Colton chose my guys as torch bearers plus other Troop 216 tribesman who always attend the tapping fire. Prairie Spirit, Swift Spirit, and Northern Spirit were so pumped up to stand on the hillside and light the way for their friend!

Advancement Night for Mic-o-Say

Dorito advanced from Tom Tom Beater to Runner!! He didn't know if this would be this week or not, but it happened very late on Thursday night. The twins gave me as much of the secret information as possible. They come home after midnight from Micosay Ceremonies and sleep til late morning. (Hence my belated photos.) Mostly they are happy for Dorito to be able to stop chanting. He was already quite horse from teaching swimming lessons all day and drum chanting several evenings at Camp. Here is their proud regalia photo before ceremonies:

Dorito wears four feathers in his headband since it is his 4th year in the tribe. Obviously it is the second year for Polar Bear (left) and Winger (right). 

Last week, the twins worked really hard to finish their back bustles so they could also advance. Tyler Ruiz and Mr. Tim Zirkle helped with the construction know-how. 

Here is Prairie Spirit's back plate with a carved out and painted wheat stalks in the center.

Swift Spirit has an orange and blue pattern and a winged foot on the back plate. Very cool.

Everything at Camp Geiger is about "belonging"--and my guys are drawn to the "Geiger Reservation" for Wednesday night dancing, Thursday night tapping, and Friday night advancement ceremonies EVERY WEEK for six weeks. I had to smile when I saw the new sign at the front gate.

Scenes from Camp

Father Benjamin volunteered to say Mass for the first week crew at Camp Geiger. Out of 300 campers, about 40 came for mass according to my boys. Polar Bear did the readings (nice).

 

Also, Winger sent me another photo - here is Dorito with sunglasses doing more "staff stuff."

 

I spent the day reading magazines, newspapers, having a nap, and drinking a little something with my supper.

The Twins Have Left the House

I am completely alone for the next three or four days. Captain is on an 8-day trip, Meggar is interning in St. Louis, Dorito started Camp Staff yesterday, and the twins left for Boy Scout Camp this afternoon. It's never happened like this before. I might even have caffeinated tea to celebrate!
(I'm certainly not going to force myself to do anything as difficult as writing about our decision to leave BSA right after camping season. The new "gay youth" rule doesn't take effect until January 1, but we will be leaving before then. On principle. Not fear.)
Here's the staff photo. (Dorito is fourth from the left; much taller than short Rosenak on the right side of him.)

Staff is a BIG, BIG deal. You have to have a 20-year medicine man father to get in. But the need for a lifeguard and the fact we have a pool helps! Winger told him, "Don't let this change who you are." Meaning don't get too big for your britches. But we are talking about Dorito, who is the humblest and most kind person I've ever met. I'm so glad he gets this honor of all the little guys looking up to him.

Here's the Troop 216 photo. The twins are middle row and serve as Troop Guides for the "first years," and they will have their hands full--making sure tents are clean, flaps are down durint the rain, they find all six classes on the first day, dress in Class A uniforms for meals, and have fun with the water balloon war, etc.

Another Vote for Boy Scouts

Today was another vote regarding homosexual membership in Boy Scouts of America. Dorito wore his Eagle Scout pin to witness in public while at Worlds of Fun, and of course we all prayed during our rosary yesterday. At noon today, I held fast to the Psalm from today's readings -- it was quite appropriate.

Psalms 1:1-2.3.4.6.

Blessed the man who follows not
The counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
Nor sits in the company of the insolent,

But delights in the law of the LORD
And meditates on his law day and night.
He is like a tree
Planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
And whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.

Not so, the wicked, not so;
They are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
But the way of the wicked vanishes.

Unfortunately, the outcome of the vote is not as prudent as I was hoping BSA would be. The twins are convinced that since they earned their Eagle Award under the old values, they can still be proud to wear it.

Tough to be a Teenage Boy

First the bad news:
My boys have had more than a couple of tough experiences lately. But they are learning to take the high road. We used the famous verse of encouragement from Matthew 5:11-12 -- 
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Good job, boys!
Today, they focused on an episode of "Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout?" which they discovered on YouTube. Sometimes reality TV can be fortifying.
And there is some more good news:
Dorito was called and invited to join the staff of Camp Geiger for this summer. What a dream come true! (They needed more staffers who were age 18 and older, and Dorito's birthday is about a month away.) He will work as a lifeguard and get seven weeks of free room and board plus $600 in addition to the amount of PRESTIGE given to all staffers. Not huge wages, but the fact he won't be eating at my table is noteworthy. Good job, son!

Leadership Continues

Both twins are following in Dorito's foot steps--being appointed as Troop Guides for the new "first years" who "crossed over" from Cub Scouts this week. How can 11-year-olds look so short compared to 14-year-olds? The nine little guys are go-getters, including Jamison's brother! They prepped for a camp-out this weekend. Aren't you glad that hockey is over?

Making Plans and Finishing Others

Everyone is busy after "school"....
   The boys finished up a 75-page workbook for the Boy Scout Catholic Religious Emblem! This has been our goal ever since Dorito finished up his Eagle Scout over a year ago.
    Happily, enough judges have been signed on for the Science Fair, and I've secured a Chemistry professor to come and give a demonstration. I still need to buy a few more prizes, but the certificates are printed and ready for calligraphy. Almost all set with three display boards and projects too.
    Prom plans are already rolling. I found a different ballroom which has cheaper rental fee. We will decorate the Benton Club (under the membership of Mr. Schultz) and likely have an island/beach theme. Voting on themes will be held next week when Homeschool Choir resumes.
   Eli's parents have asked us to host him for a few meals in order to learn social etiquette outside the home. I think our lunch-time routine with read-alouds might work nicely for this autistic friend/Boy Scout. Perhaps on Fridays?
  Yesterday we made a trip to Snow Creek before hockey practice to take advantage of the "real" snow.

Heroics at Home

School resumed last week, and it was a bit too overwhelming for me to write any blogs. Meggar is back to Truman, Dorito is back to Hillyard half days and doing three courses for dual credit at Missouri Western. He is also receiving many scholarship offers in mail. Some larger than his sister received from the same school?! Very exciting and confusing about which college decision to make. The twins are preparing for many January deadlines: Poetry Out Loud contest, Science Fair, March for Life, and the Catholic Scouting emblem submission. And they are without a head coach for the rest of the season, so gathering information about other teams.

Happily, this weekend was not full of travel for hockey. They had "home" games in KC. Their violin teacher came:




and their hero strength and conditioning coach came:





and Scout friends came (Jamison, Ben, and Justin)
and Schmidlings (Terry and Kathy).



Lucas, Chris, Adam, Jacob, and Dorito had a fun time together before Adam goes back to college.

Megan and I watched last Sunday's season 3 premier of "Downton Abbey" at Constance's place. She had full tea service set out and were were enchanted all the way through. Captain and I are looking forward to tonight's episode two to take our minds off all the busyness.

What Does Mentoring Mean?

At the Eagle Scout ceremony, the new Eagle is allowed to give out one or two mentor pins. In our Troop, this golden pin nearly rivals the actual Eagle itself.
Back a year ago, Dorito did not give out ANY mentor pins, and that was alright. He had blazed his own trail to the top--largely by himself. When he had struggles, there were no adults taking his side. I know because I was there to watch and listen and advocate for change. Yet Dorito is so giving in return to Troop 216. He was a Troop Guide--the job no one likes--TWICE. And he was the first one that Polar Bear and Winger wanted to honor as their mentor. He talks to them, advises, listens, assists, reminds, coaches, and BEST of all, he sets a fine example of all 12 points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
Secondly, Polar Bear chose young Colton Zirkle as his other "mentor." Colton is already 21, and he could look down on Braves as being uncool and not worthy of his time. And yet, he stays around to help with costuming and remains active in many of the Troop's activities. I admire his convictions, especially as society encourages college boys "to sow their wild oats."

Lastly, Winger took the opportunity tonight at the regular Scout meeting to give his other mentor pin to Mr. Bob Brown. Bob is a family friend whom we see in many circles the past three years: homeschool, Hillyard, violin, and church. But it is the Scout side that the twins admire the most. Bob has been active in the Tribe of Mic-o-Say for more than 50 years! He loves to share his expertise, his collection, and his time with Scouts through PowWows, tapping fires, and camp-outs. He is also a counselor for more merit badges than anyone else in the Troop, which means he donates a lot of time one-on-one with Scouters. I'm so pleased that this honor went to a deserving gentleman.

Conclave Meeting

The Tribe of Mic-o-Say held its Winter Conclave all day on Saturday with a Hollywood theme "Planet Mic-o-Say." The twins attended Brave Block and received a beading loom from the Council Elders. Then there were games and costume workshops. Best of all were the Dance Competitions during the afternoon. Polar Bear and Winger did well, which they credit to having new dance shirts with fancy ribbons hanging off the shoulders. They purchased these with gift money from their recent Eagle Scout award ceremony.
Polar Bear won first in the Braves Fancy Dance and got an Oscar trophy. He also won second place in Braves Fancy Costume. Winger won third place in Braves Fancy Dance. Dorito participated in both but was more focused on the scholarship contest. The three winners chosen were college upperclassmen rather than entering freshmen. So, he can try again next year.

Scholarship App

Not a phone app. Something much more difficult. So far I've pulled my hair out helped Dorito with the transcripts and essays for three big scholarships: Mic-o-Say (Scouting goals), Wabash Cannonball (K-State goals), and KSU Civic Leadership (helping build the one-room schoolhouse at the Pony Express Museum). It's supposed to be fun to reminisce and see how far my senior son has come... but the deadlines give it a flavor of panic and knots in my stomach. Hope we all survive his senior year!

Best Scout Day Ever, Winger Said

Drove home 6 hours from Minnesota, got a quick shower, hemmed new Scout pants, and went to the Boards of Review for my twins. They were so excited! Polar Bear decided it was important to him to go second for the award ceremony so that meant he had to go first for the interviews.

The Board of Review consisted of seven men who asked them questions individually for an hour--about Scout rules, Scout knots, future goals, and past leadership. Whew! They passed! Two new Eagle Scouts in Troop 216! Two red coup beads from the Pony Express Council!
(Celebrated at Aspen Leaf with frozen yogurt.)

Eagle Scout Invites

The twins have been approved by National BSA, so I've already mailed most of the invitations to their Eagle Scout Award ceremony. Don't tell their Scoutmaster! They haven't had their Boards of Review.

But barring a snow storm, or a trip for the Herzogs, we are planning a CELEBRATION! The homemade cards (shown front and inside) took most of my time over the last several days. Polar Bear and Winger chose the quote from Lord Baden Powell: "The most worthwhile thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others." Very appropriate -- given their playground service project and for their life's purpose statement.