I wrote this article for my Pack's Cub Scout Newsletter
That's Not Too Bad
I am April Driggers. I am your Cubmaster. I am a child of God, a mom to two boys, a wife, a Sunday school teacher, a hobbyist, an organizer, an family manager, a scrapbooker, a photographer, a blogger, a chef, a nurse, a psychiatrist, a counselor, a craft guru, a Cubmaster, a Den Leader, a volunteer. I give up my time monthly, weekly, sometimes daily to work with and for this Pack because I believe in what Scouting can do for young men.
I believe that the electronic age pushes families further apart. I believe that the television isn’t a substitution for conversation. I believe that these young men will grow up too fast and you will look back wondering where the time went. I feel that if you play your cards right — this small gift you’ve been given while they’re this young — you can make some memories that will last YOU BOTH a lifetime and then some!
I believe that little boys want to spend time with their parents outside, in nature, looking at bugs, digging in the dirt, working with their hands, learning to use tools and to take care of themselves. I believe that keeping them from doing this is really a great injustice.
I believe that hard work should be rewarded and that all Scouts deserve recognition for a job well done. I believe they all deserve a chance to prosper in the Scouting world because it not only benefits them as an individual, but also as a family member, a Scout, a citizen.
I believe there will be times when they don’t want to go to a den or Pack meeting, work on a requirement, or finish a project but I know that having a supportive parent alongside them will be all the motivation they need to finish the job. I believe that could be a fantastic memory to help them realize their value and the value of their word.
I don’t believe these boys care if our houses are immaculate, if they dine on gourmet meals, if they have brand labels on everything they own, if everything is neatly organized and in its place. However, I DO believe they care how much time you spend with them doing something FUN that THEY want to do. I believe many parents haven’t even seen how many fun activities are just sitting in their son’s books waiting to be completed. It’s not a book of achievements — it’s a book full of memory making potential!
I believe we all “one minute” our kids to death… and they’re going to wonder, at some point, when they are important enough for one minute of your time.
I volunteer for this Pack because I believe in Scouts. I believe in the idea that we, as a society, need to be responsible for providing young men with healthy environments to learn to be leaders, to accomplish great things and to be provided opportunity to grow. It all starts with one spark… wouldn’t it be awesome to know that because you chose to spend time with your son that you got to witness that spark take off in his life? Perhaps some woodworking project will lead him to become a master carpenter or that by learning about rockets it would lead him to be the next NASA astronaut to walk on the moon! Far fetched? Maybe, but I like to dream big about the potential in all these young men.
I don’t enjoy stress nor do I enjoy doing a lot of the jobs on my own, but I do them… I do it for the boys because I feel that I owe them my time because I said that I would lead this Pack… and I don’t take that job lightly.
I believe that when I say those words, “I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people and to obey the Law of the Pack” that it’s my obligation to keep them. I believe those words. I do and I believe that if that’s the only creed these young men learn to live by… that’s not too bad.
