Musical AC Dens

Everyone in Scouts knows about Woodbadge, as it's a world-wide program.  I attended Woodbadge with Rick almost 2 years ago.  It teaches about the total BSA program as well as leadership skill that can be used anywhere.

Not everyone knows about Akela's Council, as it's a council-led program in just a few councils.  In Utah National Parks Council it is a 4 1/2 days training for all leaders over Cub Scouts.  It is a fast-paced program that teaches the whole Cub Scout program ... and there's so much being taught that I learned a lot when I went through as a participant 3 years ago, after having been in Cub Scouts 13 years.

In Utah, placement into smaller groups (dens or ) within these two training programs are not done randomly.  It is carefully done with prayer and answers.  At Woodbadge, I was a Bear (Rick was a Buffalo).  At Akela's Council I was a Mohawk.  When I went back to Akela's Council as a Den Leader on staff, I was with the Cherokee Den (which is the den Rick was put in last year when he attended AC).  In all cases, it was obvious that God knew exactly what he was doing, even when the leader praying didn't, when he put each person with all the others within their small group.

One of the most amazing things to everyone when I attended AC as a Mohawk was that two of us were quite musical.  Joshua (in his 20's) brought his guitar with him and by the second day suggested we make up a song about Akela's Council.  Our Mohawk den sang it for everyone as a gift at the end of the week.

AC26
(Original song by Joshua Chappell and Angela Merrick)

Ooooh ....

We came to here not knowing what to expect

Then we got put in the best green den with Speck

She took us in and welcomed us with open arms

Then we came to share a plethora of neckerchief charms

We are so thrilled with all the things we've learned

Because of all the midnight oil that burned

Thank you, Thank you.  What more can we say?

All the staff has led us on our way.

     Pai-ute-ute-ute, Geronimo!

     Ai-ai-ai-ai-ai, Oh- so beautiful!

     Not just a haircut, Sha- my aching knee!

     Droplets of water flowing to the sea ...

Ooooh ...

At both ends, by Speck and our whole staff,

You've helped us to remember how to laugh.

Tho' we'll never have Hans and Franz' physique,

AC26 is quite unique!

     Pai-ute-ute-ute, Geronimo!

     Ai-ai-ai-ai-ai, Oh- so beautiful!

     Not just a haircut, Sha- my aching knee!

     Droplets of water flowing to the sea ...

Ooooh ...

As droplets of water flowing to the sea,

because of you good scout leaders we want to be.

With your help we will guide the next generation.

And you've given us so much more than an education.

     Pai-ute-ute-ute, Geronimo!

     Ai-ai-ai-ai-ai, Oh- so beautiful!

     Not just a haircut, Sha- my aching knee!

     Droplets of water flowing to the sea ...

     (repeat chorus)

Then, at about the same time during last month's AC, a man in my den (Ron - who reminded me a lot of my own dad) pulled out his guitar and made up a song for AC.  I couldn't believe it!  The Senior Staff said that has never been done before (except in my den), and yet here it happened in both of my dens! 

Ballad of AC 28

Lyrics adapted by Ron Barlow

(Tune of Colorado by Merle Haggard)

There's a place where mother nature's got it all together,

She knows just when to let the wild flowers bloom.

Out in her open spaces we learn of Cubbing

We Leave No Trace and keep the outdoors groomed.

Chorus

Have you ever been in Akela's Council

I spend a lot of time there in my mind

We strive to build up men of moral character

That's where we want to spend most of our time.

We teach the 12 core values using purposes and methods

Refined and proven with the test of time.

We learn the crafts and skills of the full Cub Scouting program

As we seek knowledge on our upward climb.

Eventually, when they are put on Youtube, I plan to put a recording of each on this page, maybe with a picture of my dens.  This particular post is mostly for my own records and reference.

Total Relocation 2013

February we were offered a house in Hyrum (near Logan).  We prayed about it and got an obvious answer to buy the house.  In order to do so, Rick had to get a job with a regular paycheck.  March 1 he started a job as Maintenance Manager for Real Property Management.  We had to wait 90 days after his start date before buying the house.  Check.  Then the house just ended up not panning out.  We continued getting strong confirmations that we needed to continue our move.  So, we relocated to Logan, UT (2 1/2 hours north from Saratoga Springs ... about half an hour from the Idaho border).

The transition has been rough.  1) Angela got a job at the Boy Scouts of America Logan Shop, which she was thrilled, since Cubbing and Scouting is her passion and choice of volunteerism.  However, from the beginning there were major communication issues between her and her boss, and it was a very rough start.  2) Both the children and Angela needed to learn a new routine, with Mom at work half of the day, which left Chanelle as babysitter every day. 3) We moved into an apartment located in the middle of a sea of apartment complexes, and only 3 houses are in our ward at all. Routines are different in such a transient ward.  Angela's tricks to get to know people was not even a possibility.  The bishop talked with Rick before Angela moved up, so he had no "need" to talk with her, and he decided that since this was only temporary he wouldn't give us any responsibilities; the ward choir took the summer off; the Cub Scout program is a combined stake effort, so it's hard to find anyone to contact, AND the pack took July off for other activities.  This left Angela feeling disconnected and lonely.

Our saving graces in our transition has been: 1) Chanelle hooked up with the ballroom company, so she had lessons for a couple hours every weekday, and Aiden and Jordan had lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 2) The bus system is not only safe, clean, friendly, and well-organized, but it's also free! 3) The Logan Library is free and larger than we've had since moving from Orem 12 years ago. 4) Our favorite saving grace .... the Maple Valley Apartments outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, which we spend time at almost every day. :)

Six weeks later ... things are much better.  Angela and her boss are getting along, the family routine is still under construction but feeling more settled, Angela was given a Visiting Teacher route and her Visiting Teachers have visited.  Dance has ended, but school starts in 2 weeks.  Although it's all still shocking when we think about it, we are no longer reeling with shock and are moving toward more stability.