October 28, 2010: Our VERY Last Pack Meeting

This is the entry I am most sad about misplacing the photos. Griffin earned his Arrow of Light and crossed over to 11-year-old scouts tonight. He is no longer a cub scout. He almost earned all 20 of the activity badges, but just couldn't complete the swimming badge. Heck, I'm impressed that he'll put his face in the water these days and will attempt to do some sort of stroke. It's HUGE progress from where we were not too long ago.

He has had such amazing leaders throughout his scouting career: Kimberly Clark in Wolves, Judy Allen in Bears, and Cherise Elliott as a Webelo. I am so grateful for their patience, kindness and understanding. He has loved his leaders and his experience.

Griffin's friend and packmate, Andrew Johnson, also crossed over. The Webelos had an "epic battle" as part of their send-off at their last weekly meeting. Cherise, fortunately, took pictures of that, so I'm including those.

Our first pack meeting was in 1998, when Ian turned 8 years old. Twelve years later, we say farewell to the cub scouting program.

April 22, 2010: Pack Meeting/Service Project

Griffin LOVES pack meetings and much as he HATES homework. But in order to GO to the one, he has to have FINISHED the other. Sometimes it takes some creativity to do them both.

Another thing he loves about scouts is that he gets to hang out with his friend from school, Pete "Fish" Vosnos.

He also loves to get awards. Cherise Elliott has been the greatest leader for him: gentle, kind, thoughtful, patient, and understanding.

The girls like to go because they get to visit with the babies. This is Bronwyn "Winnie" and Thor Hexburg. Thor can give the most penetrating crusty looks of any child I've ever known. Winnie, well, she's just so darn cute she's irresistible.

This pack meeting was a service project, putting together hygiene kits that will be sent around the world as part of the humanitarian effort of the LDS church.

Patriotism (August 27, 2009)

Griffin's pack meeting this month was held at Timpanogos Park up Provo Canyon. We were asked to do a short hike (about 1 mile) from the parking lot at the base of the canyon up to the park. It was quite a warm day, but I did get a nice picture of a sunflower on the trail. (Really, it was nice and cool under the shade of the trees a bit further down the path, and quite a lovely walk.)

As we all were sitting down and eating our picnic meal, John noticed Griffin off to the side. The scout leaders had brought a little table flag for the flag ceremony and he just took a moment to salute. Priceless.