Evan's Last Days of Cub Scouts

This year has truly felt like the ending of an era in the life of our firstborn son.  He completed his elementary school years and his Cub Scout experience.  I feel like we still have many more years of these adventures ahead of us with three more boys following in his footsteps though.  It is just starting to get real that we only have a few more years left before he leaves home to go out into the world.  Evan has really been an incredible first child.  With the exception of a few rough months his first year getting him to gain enough weight, he has surpassed all of our dreams and expectations of parenting.  He is the best big brother, a kind and compassionate young man, an awesome student and intellectual, and a dedicated athlete and lover of all sports known to man. He pretty much rocks our world around here.  Evan's troop really made his last days as a Cub Scout some of the most memorable of his entire four years with some special ceremonies and celebrations honoring their accomplishments.

In February, Evan and Brody wore their uniforms to church because they were supposed to attend a religious service for part of a badge requirement.  Cub Scouts are taught to be reverent.  

Later that day, Evan and his den visited City Hall to learn about being good citizens and participating in local government.  They met the mayor and a special police dog. Our little town has a little history involving Henry Ford and his investment in agriculture and forestry operations. He even built a winter home here for his family. 

The boys learned a lot that day.  His parents did not attend so I was thankful someone took these pictures. 

 PINEWOOD DERBY

The annual Pinewood Derby is a huge Cub Scout event.  The boys design and build their cars which must pass specifications for weight and size.  They are encouraged to get creative with their designs so there are always some impressive cars. Evan wanted a fire breathing dragon car this year.  We should have put his eyes on top, but I thought they looked better on the sides.  I just forgot that the car wheels would hide them.  Haha!  

He did get a special award for his unique design. 

He didn't win his den race, but he did come in 5th out of 12 so not too bad. 

He earned his last badges and awards at this meeting. 

A picture of his whole den after the awards were presented. 

BLUE AND GOLD BANQUET

This troop really makes the annual Blue and Gold Banquet a special occasion for the oldest Cub Scouts who are earning their Arrow of Light as the final stage of Cub Scouts.  The cake had all of Evan's den's names on it. 

A picture of the whole troop.  It is a pretty big troop. 

The table centerpieces were too cute, and the boys loved the peg games and smores kits. 

There was a fun photo backdrop with props.  Evan and Brody were going camping together, and Grayson was my little lumberjack with his ax. I love my lumberjack so much I wore lumberjack plaid lipstick.  Haha! 

Mattox played us some tunes by the campfire. We were very proud parents of our Cub Scout. 

I received a special mother's sash so that if Evan chooses to continue in Boy Scouts, he will pin me whenever he advances in rank. It is very sweet.  He received his Arrow of Light plaque and his Boy Scout book. 

These gorgeous wood carved plaques with their names on them display their arrows and will be treasures for years. Evan enjoyed eating his name on the cake. 

Standing up with Evan during the awards presentation.  The 7 Arrow of Light candles represent the 7 virtues of life that all scouts should strive to live by which are wisdom, courage, self-control, justice, faith, hope, and love. 

CROSSOVER CEREMONY  

I do not recall either of our previous troops doing this special ceremony for their last Cub Scout adventure.  The crossing over represents the boys transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. It felt pretty ritualistic with a ceremonial bonfire and a high rope bridge.  Boy Scouts attended to provide support to the new scouts and welcome them. 

I thought the picture of the flag with the Scouts behind it was cool.  Evan got to be the first to cross the bridge.  I told him he was the guinea pig.  All of the Boy Scouts lined up below the ropes to support any scout who faltered. 

Evan crossed like a champ.  He has historically been a little afraid of heights. 

After he crossed over and received his new neckerchief, he stood with the other Boy Scouts to offer support. 

Evan's Last Year of Cub Scouts

Sadly, Evan started his last year of Cub Scouts this year.  Although he has had to change troops three times because of our moves, he has really experienced a lot through the Cub Scouts.  I think it has been a great bonding experience for him and his dad too.  They have enjoyed their camping experiences a lot over the years.  Our last Cub Scout troop was very active, and Evan was able to accomplish a lot with that troop.  This year with his new troop has been pretty slow in comparison, and his new troop does not seem to be as active.  After he crosses over into Boy Scouts, we will see if he wants to continue his journey.  Most of the Boy Scout activities will be pretty independent and do require a lot more of his time and commitment, and I know sports and academics are also pretty important parts of his life so we will see what he decides.

Evan had the important job of carrying the troop flag on the first big pack meeting of the year.  

He really enjoys helping at little brother's meetings.  He found a neat feather while exploring. 

If he stays in the Boy Scouts, he will have to wear the full outfit.  His current shirt will still be used in Boy Scouts, but he will have to wear green pants or shorts and socks too.  He was lined up to receive some more awards for some accomplishments on the first camping trip of the year. 

This kid is truly a well-rounded person and enjoys just about everything he tries.  He loves shooting guns and bows and arrows and playing chess and doing more academic activities. I tell him all the time he was just the "perfect" first son because he has truly shown us how awesome boys can be. 

He enjoyed having little brother join him on some camping trips this year. 

The first camping trip of the year was in August for a special campout with the Boy Scouts to learn how to be a Boy Scout.  They split up into Boy Scout patrols and learned how to camp on their own.  It was so hot to camp outdoors in South Georgia in August.  Daddy made them a "redneck" air conditioner for the tent with a foam cooler, ice, and a fan.  Evan also practiced his knot tying skills. 

They were camping just down the road from us at Fort McAllister State Park which was one of many earthen forts in the area to protect Savannah during the Civil War.  It is located at the mouth of the Ogeechee River. 

It was so hot that Evan was thankful the fort's gift shop sold ice cream.  They also made pizza and some desserts for dinner. 

Hanging out after dark with flashlights, helping one another put up tents, and playing chess.

Evan taught little brother how to sell popcorn, and Evan received more awards at the last big pack meeting. 

The troop camped out again this weekend, but we couldn't make it for the whole weekend.  We went for the activities during the day.  Evan's pal, Blake, was an overachiever carrying this big log when they were supposed to gather firewood so Evan helped him.  They also attempted to start a fire with different techniques and tools like flint and a piece of glass.  They also made dutch oven apple pies for the troop.  

Evan's Last Days as a Webelo

Evan has enjoyed his years in Cub Scouts and all the interesting and fun events he has been able to experience.  He loved camping, hiking, playing with his buddies, building things, and going to fun and educational places.  On the day we moved from North Carolina, Evan got to participate in one last big Cub Scout event.  He always loves the Pinewood Derby so I was thankful he would get to participate again.  Last year, we made his car, and we made one for Brody to race.  This year, I had hoped we would have time to make him another car, but with packing and preparing to move, it just never happened.  We decided he could just race Brody's car this year which had actually performed well last year.  Evan's den leader also wanted to present him with his Webelo badge before he left since they had all accomplished the tasks required of them.  The rest of the troop would get their badges in a couple of weeks anyway.  So before we hit the road for Georgia, we had a little more fun although it did make for a later start on our journey.

One of the last events Evan participated in was the fun and chaotic annual "snowball" fight.  The kids all donate new socks to be given to a local charity for the homeless, and before the socks are given, the boys get to roll them up as snowballs and throw them at one another.  It is a blast!  And no, it is not possible to photograph this event with non-blurry pictures. 

All of my boys wanted to participate.  Little Mattox was just fascinated. 

Mattox did get into the action a little. 

Kids and socks flying everywhere. 

Then, the boys celebrated the oldest Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light, and congratulated them on moving up to Boy Scouts.  They made a tunnel for the older boys to run through. 

Let the car races begin!  Evan was using the blue car with the red stripe in lane 2.  He took the lead in this race from the start. 

He didn't get a trophy this year, but he did get first place in this race and no more than second or third place in his other races.  There were just some cars with faster times than his.  I was just surprised Eddie caught pictures of this race where he won first place. 

There were some cool cars for the kids to judge this year. 

Brody was just there for the pizza.  Ha!

Evan was presented with his Webelo badge.  Little brother has some pretty serious big brother hero envy. 

Evan's Fall Webelos Adventures

This Fall has been a balancing act between school activities, sports, and Cub Scouts.  I can only imagine how difficult life can get as each of our boys gets more involved in outside activities.  Evan missed a few Cub Scout outings due to sports and other family conflicts, but he has enjoyed some good times so far as a Webelo.  He only has one more year of Cub Scouts after this year and then he can choose to transition into Boy Scouts.  This is all pretty new to us all since Daddy was never involved in Cub Scouts, but it has been a good learning experience.  Brody seems to be interested in continuing the journey next year.

Our handsome Webelo who is also the best big brother in the world. 

Fall Camping Trip

The first camping trip of the year happened way back in September so the weather was still nice and warm.  The boys did a lot of activities, including a long hike, at Falls Lake State Recreation Area which is located on Falls Lake in the northern part of our county.  Although there was a later camping trip scheduled for this month, most of Evan's troop chose not to attend that one because of it getting very cold at night and already having completed the requirements they needed at the earlier camping trip.  Eddie and Evan spent the first night alone, but Brody really wanted to stay the second night.  We had driven with them up there on Friday night to help them get settled and take them to dinner, and Brody really wanted to stay.  Fortunately for him, Daddy left his keys to his car in my car that night so I had to bring them back to him the next day.  I think all of the boys enjoyed this camping experience.

Evan had to put his own tent up by himself so Daddy was just there for emotional support.  

These two just enjoyed traipsing through the woods and playing in the dirt. 

And supervising big brother's work. 

I took a little walk with these boys down to the lake which was not too far from the campsite. It was a lovely day in late September. 

Some of Brody's nature photography. 

And some of his pictures of us. 

Evan putting the finishing touches on his tent while little brother explores. 

Yes, these boys like big sticks. 

We came back the next day and hung out for a while. 

Evan helped his buddy, Jackson, with his tent, and they enjoyed playing cards and a some ball game they made up during free time.  Evan had to bring his soccer ball of course. 

The group all dressed up on their last morning. 

Harris Lake Park

The boys also learned a little about trees and forestry at this park close to our house. 

Forester Eddie showed them how to take a sample of the tree to see how old it is without hurting the tree or cutting it down. 

They pointed out lots of different tree species on a little nature walk. 

Teaching Soccer

For another requirement, they had to teach other kids a sport.  They chose soccer so they taught a young group of Daisies to play. 

Giving advice to the Daisy troop.

Evan's group taught them to play a little practice game called sharks and minnows.

Raingutter Regatta

Evan created a new masterpiece for this year's raingutter regatta. 

He made a pirate ship we named Evan's Revenge (like Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge).  

The kids just enjoyed racing one another for about an hour.  There were no official winners or losers. 

There wasn't enough water in the trough which made it tough to blow their boats, but Evan won a couple of his races. 

This little cutie just looked so adorable sitting down to watch the action.