When I was 5 (or so) years old, my dad was some kind of Scout Leader. While entertaining these boys with their weekly scouting activity, I would stand by and watch and mingle. There was one scout, in the group, who, for no reason (at least not that I'm aware of) would call me "JAWS."Yes. Seriously! He called me "JAWS." Who knows, maybe it was his fascination with the movie or maybe it was his immature way of flirting with a 5-year old girl. Whatever his reason, look at me...how could you call that sweet, cute face "JAWS!!!"
Every time he said "Hey, JAWS," I imagined a combination of the scary JAWS man with the ugly sharp silver teeth from one of the James Bond movies and JAWS (the shark) himself!
Looking at this man's picture still gives me chills!
So. As a child, you can imagine my disgust and total dislike for scouts across America! Every time I would hear the word "scout" I would associate it with the word "JAWS" and picture my 5-year old self with ugly silver sharp fangs hanging out of my mouth!
Yes. I know. Some of you may be thinking that I have two sons and I need to gain an appreciation for scouting since they will be scouts. Well, my world has just been turned upside down! Yes, indeed!
I am now in charge of weekly Bear (cub scout) activities. Thank goodness the scouting program doesn't have anything called "sharks!" First of all, I really don't know what these leaders were thinking by asking me to do this?! I am a girly girl! I don't camp. I don't tie knots. I don't know the first thing about merit badges. I don't wear scout shirts...there is nothing feminine about them! I have never attended a pack meeting. I don't play sports. There is not one ounce of tom-boyishness in me at all!
I enjoy pedicures, trips to the mall, buying makeup, reading celebrity gossip magazines, dancing, watching Musicals, singing, etc.
So, like it or not, I am going to do it. I have to admit, these three bears are kind of cute, they like my pumpkin bread, and they don't call me "JAWS."
I think this scouting thing may work after all. However, I am considering changing a few of the activities in the handbook to learning how to paint your moms toenails, cook her breakfast in the morning, or learn Pilates (I'm thinking the whole mind & body thing could be good for them). You know, the kind of stuff all young sons, husbands, and fathers-to-be need to know!
26 comments:
I was the Bear leader for about three years, it was CRAZY!!! I think you will do a GREAT job. I am not sure about teaching them to paint toenails, but cooking is totally in the book!!! Have fun, you will soon LOVE those boys!!
Rhonda Patten, Debbie Whitesel, and Jane Thatcher are three of my most memorable cub scout leaders. You should be excited. You've got day camps and pack meetings to look forward to. You get to visit fire and police stations and salute the flag and wear a uniform. I think I'm more excited for this than you are.
How cute this post is! You so crack me up with your list of activities! I am thinking some of it might not be all bad...like making their moms breakfast...in bed! LOL Not sure how the dad's would feel about the painting of the toenails though!
Ah I was the Cub Pack Leader, or whatever you call it for 2 years. I had a BLAST. I was just getting good at it when they released me. Be warned though...the boys are FULL of energy...which is where you come in...an exercise class maybe just what they need!
I didn't really get scouts either until they made me the wolf den leader. I just got released from it, and I am SO SAD. You will grow to love it. Boys that age WILL be excited and interested in anything you do. Teach them how to bake. Their wives will thank you one day.
I'm a girly girl too. Who knows, maybe those boys will be able to lure you over to the dark side. They are awfully cute little stinkers. I hear that's how they get ya! :)
Painting toenails, breakfast all sounds so perrrrrfect to me. Especially since I will have a cub scout come November.
Loved the Jaws story. That guy creeps me out, too. Wow, this will be a new experience for the girly girl. I like your list of new activities to add.
My oldest is a Bear and I wish you could be his leader! I think you should incorporate some more "sensitive" type activities into that book! Instead of baking oatmeal cookies...it should be make your mom breakfast in bed! I LOVE that idea! Seriously though, for Mother's Day the Bears made the most beautiful beaded bracelets. Not a cheapy one, but a really nice one. It's been one of the most useful Mother's Day gifts I've ever gotten! Spencer's leader is like you...all girl...
And I have to tell you THANK YOU on behalf of your own Primary Presidency for saying YES to the calling. It's one that people turn down over and over....so thank you! You're awesome!!!
You are hilarious! That is one calling that I would not have the first clue of what to do...but it does sound like one that could be a lot of fun! Michael made it sound like a hoot, and something that those boys will remember forever:)
I don't blame you, that is crazy! I would be scared out of my mind if I got that calling. What a weirdo for calling you that, I don't see anything that could have made him think of that of you.
I bet you will be lots of fun and bring sort of a different perspective to that calling! Who says modern boy scouts don't need to know how to cook gourmet, do Pilates, and the merits of a good day spa! Sometimes I wish my hubby had a little more intuition in this area :)
I don't think you've ever told me that Jaws story...how funny! Does dad remember that? I love that picture of you...and this will definitely prepare you for sending your own boys off to scouts sometime. Your little scouts do look pretty cute!
You will make a great den leader. Jerome is a bear, and I wish you were his leader.
I remember those scout days at our house. It was pretty fun though! Yes, Dad does remember that kid...I think he was one of those challenges that we made it through. I remember him teasing you too. Dumb boy!
Hi honey, this is dad.
I actually asked him to stop calling you that. I've seen him on a few occasions over the years and he still remembers our time in Webelos. I would love to be the Webelos Leader again. They are so fun. Just love them and realize they want to accomplish their tasks.
You know me, have fun and enjoy because these things seem to pass.
Thanks for being a great servant.
Love ya,
Dad and Mom
You are so funny. Where did you find the picture of that guy with the metal mouth? "Jaws" does seem very unfitting for such a cute little girl.
Given how well you do at most things, I'm sure you'll catch on to being a Bear leader or Den mother or whatever they call it now days. Hopefully they won't make you go to Court of Honors. Those were the most boring things ever invented.
Hey Kim,
Congratulations, Starla Kendell and I are the bears leaders.
Way, way fun. Cub scouts are way easy and the boys are always excited to do anthing. Not the same in YW or YM, we've already done it. Enjoy, it's truly one of the simplest callings I've had. And you will be ready for your sons to be scouts.
Oh Kim, I never heard that story about "Jaws". It just goes to show you that you really have to be careful what you say. It can really impact a person. I'm sure he must have been flirting with you cause you have always been so cute. Never would I think of Jaws. Love ya
Well, I see everyone is encouraging you to have fu n with these boys, the scouting program is the core of the boys program in the church, so it's really important to know about it with two cute boys of your own. You'll be great and will eventually grow to like it!! Good luck and good ideas(hehe), love MOM D
I remember being teased a lot too. It was no fun either, but now I am more sensitive to kids that feel teased...
anyway, when I was called as Primary President, that was one part of my calling that I was so clueless. I went to a pack meeting my first month in and went "what the heck?....." They are a breed of their own, yet so perfect for boys that age to learn and become men. You are so good to accept and stretch. That's what callings are for. And I know, from sitting in several of those pack meetings, that I will be called to do something of that nature some day. I just know it. And I am nervous for when that day comes, yet excited to learn something so very different from the girly things I know.
You will do great!!!
Kimberly you are just great for accepting this call to work with the cub scouts. Like I told Michael we are always being thrown into or out of our comfort Zone and I really love your upbeat way of putting things. I love having my pedicures and nails done and I am so glad that you are ALL GIRL. Love ya!!
You should rent the movie "Troop Beverly Hills" with Shelly Long in it. Maybe you could get some good ideas for your new calling in there! :) She makes up the jewelry appreciation patch and all sorts of things . . .
I am really sure they can earn some kind of badge for Pilates or toe nails, really sure... just need to think of what it is, you are going to have fun, I spent way to many years in scouts but it was all really fun. They are not as moody as YW.
I think you are about the least JAWS-like person I've ever seen. Now me? I got the nickname "Animal" from the muppets. It was a perfect fit. :)
I reluctantly did some merit badge counseling for young little scouts while at BYU and I have to say...I fell in love with the little boys. You will be great and they will all love you! I just hope you really don't have to wear one of those uniforms!
love that last picture... and i think your "Additions" to the scout handbook sound good to me.
Kimberly, you'll be great! So glad I found your blog again. Our other computer was having issues and finally gave up the ghost! We miss you guys!! Check out Fred's blog: fleavitt.blogspot.com I haven't started one yet but my kids have!!!
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