Monday, September 12, 2011

New Calling

This week I start my new calling as ....

Webelos Cub Scout Leader.

I know. That was out of left field huh? That is what I thought when the Bishop asked me to do it. I told him I would accept whatever calling he wanted to give me, but that to be honest I was not sure exactly what I was accepting with this one. Still it is working with the little boys Sabrina's age and I know most of them and they are really great kids.

A week after I accepted the call, as I sat up late at night training on the scouting website, I realized a bit more what I had agreed to do. It is going to be a lot of work. I particularly had a good laugh at the part in the online training when it said "your den leader will be able to teach you how to safely start a fire, tie knots, pitch a tent, and many other useful skills." I think I laughed out loud.

I don't know any of that. I am not handy or even crafty. I have never camped other than girls camp as a teenager and even then we slept in cabins and had bathrooms. It is going to be ... educational for us all I guess. While I may know next to nothing about all the things I am supposed to help the boys learn this year, I do know how to do one crucial thing ... delegate. And that is what I plan on doing.

This week is my first den meeting with the boys. I need to go make a plan and figure out how I am going to run these den meetings. And I need to get a parent to come to it to help since I don't have a partner yet.

At least they didn't release me from my calling of teaching Relief Society. That is my favorite calling. I taught yesterday on the Law of Chastity. Can you believe in a room of about 20 women only about 5 had been given "the talk" by their parents before they hit puberty. Amazing. I hope our generation will up that percentage and be better about talking to our kids about their bodies and sex before they hit an age where they have already heard it from friends and are embarrassed about it. But I suppose that is another subject for another post right?

Now I gotta switch my brain to working with the 10 year old boys and figuring out how to tie some tricky knots. Wish me luck! :)

10 comments:

Troop 220 said...

Good Luck!!! I was just called out of primary to teach Relief Society. I taught yesterday as well, but taught lesson 40. You will love the boys, and FYI they don't camp in webelos in the church. My son just moved out of webelos. He loved it though. Just have a snack and let them play a little basketball before starting your meetings and you'll be the cat's meow. :)

Chantel said...

Oooh, you're brave. When my Foster son started scouts, I saw how much work the leaders put in. I really appreciated all they did. I have always joked that Scout Leader may be the one calling in the church I'd turn down, lol. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do great!!!

Unknown said...

The two callings I dreaded the most (ward YW president and Gospel Doctrine teacher), I wound up loving the best. I'm still waiting to get that feeling about my current calling as Stake Primary president. It's been 2 yrs--I don't hold out much hope.

On another note, I'm 53, mom of 4, and grandmother of 6--and my mother STILL hasn't given me the talk!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, bless you . . . and good luck.

Rhoda said...

I didn't have a great attitude when I got called into cub scouts, but 3 years later I am sad to get released....it's one of those callings that you actually get to PLAY all the time! Webelos can be a lot of fun. Now I have to try and switch gears over to Young Women...any advice for me?

NI said...

I want to hear more about your ideas from the chastity lesson - My children are still little but I love input on that type of "Stuff" - Also I love your input on the RS lesson's, I teach too and love to read other peoples thoughts and perspectives, it helps me have a more balanced delivery.

chercard said...

I did get released from teaching RS and am SO sad about it! I am now in the presidency which I still get to teach occasionally but also have LOTS of other things to do!

Nannette said...

I cried when I got my cub scout calling. I can appreciate it now. Webelos are a lot of fun, but it is a lot of work too, good luck, if you need ideas I have a ton of them and know some really good websites.

Sharon said...

The BSA revamped the whole cub scout planning program last year. Hopefully you got a copy of the leader book. It made things A LOT easier for planning den meetings. I didn't expect to, but I did enjoy my cub scout calling. Now I'm in the primary presidency...over cub scouts!

Anonymous said...

Im my sons leader. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. just think, you will learn right along with them. they will love your open mindness and your creativity (you do have alot of that). i can just see you teaching them measurements (through cooking)... science and all kinds of cool things they will get their hands on. boys are hands on... you will love it and so will they.