My experience with Boy Scouts is limited but what little I had was good. Both the kids were in Scouts when I came into their lives. Rick and his buddy Paul were involved with the troop. I didn't go to the meetings in general but did attend some of the special occasions. The Pinewood Derby was always a favorite.
At the Scouting museum, we were reminded of those times as they had a track set up with a timer so that the handmade cars could race for glory!
Those memories bring a smile to my face. Lots of little boys with the cars they'd carved and painted carefully (with the help of a parent of course, some perhaps more than necessary). They were all so proud of them! The track took over a good part of the church basement and everyone was eager to see which car would win.
Then there was the time we hosted the Scouts from Trinidad for a Jamboree. (My jamboree photo of the musuem didn't turn out well, but I still want to share the story!)
One of their scoutmasters, Camille, stayed at my house, with Rick hosting two of her fellow leaders. We attended some fun activities but one of the things I remember most was Camille, who we christened Hurricane Camille. The storm had passed the autumn before but Camille lived up to it -- a whirlwind who had a love affair with the washing machine and must have washed everything at least twice during her three-day stay! She also poured catsup on her pizza which was interesting.
One of the highlights of the visit was when the troop came over to Rick's with their host families for a dinner that the kids prepared. It was a rice dish with sausage and veggies called Pilau and boy -- did its preparation ever take over the kitchen! While the cooks were sweating it out in the hot summer over the stove, others were on the patio playing their steel drums. A night to remember.
I bring this up because Scouts have had more than their share of problems in the past. Rick's friend calls them the "Three G's" -- Girls, Gays and God. And they're working on it, not necessarily pleasing all but moving the organization forward. But the skills that are conveyed to these boys and young men are valuable ones. Rick said he learned pretty much everything he needed to know in life through his scouting activities. It broadened his view of the world at a young age and taught skills he would continue to use forever, from management to survival.
Rick was an Eagle Scout and credits his scoutmaster as being one of the most important influences in his life. I'm sure a lot of those memories came back to him as he walked through this well done museum.
He celebrated his sixteenth birthday at Philmont Scout Camp in Cimarron, NM (the future site of the museum -- we can't figure out why) and there were displays related to camp.
(We also remembered Greg going off to Scout camp and being simply miserable and homesick. That was his last experience with the Boy Scouts!)
There are plenty of interactive exhibits at the Scouting museum. Apart from the Pinewood Derby and a cave you can crawl through (I didn't), there was a marksmanship gallery.
I did pretty well, but Kitty was aces! (Let's just say I'm not messing with Rick's mom!)
There were lots of displays of Scout memorabilia -- badges, handbooks and even china.
A large section was devoted to the watercolors of Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts. I'll do a post on that one in the future.
Whether or not Scouting is something that was part of your own life of that of your children, I can recommend the National Scouting Museum wholeheartedly.
Just see it soon!
20 comments:
Great place. I was in the scouts, or guides as the girls are called in the UK, and loved it, and was later leader of a boy scout troupe, and we all had fun.
Thanks for sharing the lovely photos, hugs, Valerie
My brother was never a boy scout, so your two posts are pretty much my introduction to the organization. A good perspective.
Hi Jeanie,
both of our English nephews were boy scouts and their Dad was a Scout Leader during their years in scouting. They all have great memories of camps & jamborees and time spent being boys!
Maggie.
There are a lot of little museums here and there that are fun in part because we haven't seen anything quite like them before. My daughter and I went to a shipping museum in Philadelphia one time. We'd planned to go to the aquarium (across the river in New Jersey), but the ferry didn't run in winter. Oops. The shipping museum was right near where we'd have caught the ferry, so I thought "Why not?" and we visited. They had hands-on "pick up a container and put it on a model ship", and they had lots of info about people who came to this hemisphere on ships.....
I love the photo of Rick's mom shooting the gun! That is impressive that Rick was an Eagle Scout. I know that takes a lot of work and dedication! We didn't have scouts in my tiny town. Instead we have 4-H which I participated in for many years. That's where I learned how to bake, cross stitch and I tried to learn to sew (but I was terrible at it so gave up on that quickly!).
This museum looks so neat. And I can see why it held special meaning for Rick since he was so involved with the Scouts!
Very interesting! Don't mess with Miss Kitty!!! Have a good week dear Jeannie.😊⛺️
The Pinewood Derby...
The HH and The Baby Boy's car looked great, it just wouldn't move.......
This is a wonderful post. I think Kitty could show them how to shoot, too. She should be in the NRA! This was a fascinating museum, and it was quite enjoyable to see more about it.
When I was young, I was both a Brownie and a Girl Scout, but knew nothing about Boy Scouts. I so enjoyed this.
I think these little museums are really hidden gems, and always interesting to visit. I always think about the big famous museums, but there are so many around us. Several years I made my goal to visit at least one museum a month. It was really interesting what I discovered. Some year I should do it again. :) Glad you shared this one Jeanie. Hugs-Erika
How interesting! I didn't even know there was a museum on scouting. And why is it moving to New Mexico?
I don't have any experience with Boy Scouts, but with Girl Scouts. My daughter was with the Scouts for several years and I was first the "cookie mom" and then a troop leader. Girl Scouts certainly have had their difficulties as well and I'm having my doubts with them sometimes. However, I do think it's a great organisation, and as with so many things, whether it's successful or not depends so much on the leaders.
What interesting posts about the NSM. And interesting photos too. But just one I couldn't find any captions or descriptions, or maybe I missed it (?), is the picture with the Native American items. What's that one about? BTW, I was a girl guide during my early teens in HK. Not a good one, but what an experience. :)
A Scouts museum--what a great idea! I don't have much Scouts experience, and I wasn't a Girl Scout...though wish I'd had that experience. haha... no messing with Kitty! ;) Thanks for all the fun, Jeanie! ((HUGS))
Jeanie, such an interesting post, along with the previous tour. I was a cub scout leader when my young son joined. I certainly hope all the problems are worked through. This is such an amazing group for teaching lessons for life. Thanks for sharing.
This was great, Jeanie. As you may or may not be aware, the BSA National Jamboree is now hosted by a HUGE new camp in Glen Jean, WV (Bechtel Summit Reserve). I did a post on it a couple years ago, as they held a special 'open house' for the general public that summer. We were allowed to partake in many outdoor activities the scouts enjoy while staying there, and it was SPECTACULAR!
My brother was a scout, and I can vividly recall those pine derby races. He is now a grandfather, and sometimes participates with his oldest grandson who is now a cub. :)
Don't mess with Kitty! She looks like a skilled marksperson! With beautiful, silky hair, I might add. ;)
Fun post and as always, great shots.
We were never into scouting as a family, I'm not sure quite why as I love what it stands for and teaches. Here in Australia the kids each year had activity weeks through School, where they went off camping in the bush and of course, I took them all back to my old summer camp in Vermont for the American Summer camp experience. Nowadays I'm probably more into Glamping but I do subscribe to the 'Be Prepared' approach to life. Talking of which, I must dash, I leave a week today!
I am sure Rick reminisced..how lovely..a step back is always sweet..memories can be so vivid..what a sharpshooter..you must go read Kelly's post Jeanie..so appropriate..w/ Rick's mom and all..
I think the Boy Scouts (and Girl Guides) are great organizations for kids. The museaum looks interesting too. I love the watercolour painting.
Good morning Jeanie!!!!
What great memories. I know I had wanted to be a Girl Scout or at least a Brownie, but my parents never had the money to involve me in anything outside of the home. But the images here remind me of an America that shaped our dreams....
There is a lot to be said for scouting, although I'm not sure why I never joined the Girl Guides or even the Brownies. Here there is also something called the Duke of Edinburgh's Award http://www.dofe.org/ which is not quite the same but has many similar principles, aimed at challenging yourself. It's run by schools and colleges and seems to be quite popular.
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