Aho Mighty Creek,
What an outstanding campout! The weather was the best October wx in memory, and as far as I'm concerned, our little braves rocked through the weekend.
1st and foremost, a HUGE congratulations to our latest Eagle Feather awardees: Wild Cougar (Trip Rachels)and Orange Monkey Alex Henry). Alex earned his final black feather just prior to the campout, and Trip wowed us with his knowledge of the IG history at the campout, earning him his final feather (the green one) and ultimately they both performed in outstanding fashion for the Nation Chief and earned their Eagles.
I would like to get on my soap box for a brief moment regarding the Order of the Eagle Program (feathers, bear claws, and eagle claws). I personally think that this program is the backbone of the Indian Guides. The reason is that it generates more potential for father and son to work on things together in a one on one manner than anything else we do. Not to take away from all of the other things IG provides for us, but the Order of the Eagle has no comparison in true father/son one on one. Nuff said.
All of our braves have ambitiously worked on feathers and claws in the past couple of months, and they were recognized for that by the Nation Chief with orange ribbons. A huge 'Well Done' from me to them as well! And there are quite a few already earned for the next meeting. You guys keep up the good work.
IMHO, our braves absolutely BLEW every other tribe away in their presentation of displays, and it is a crime that they were not awarded for their efforts. My personal feeling is that other tribes have crossed the line a little bit in having the dads put forth a great effort and their little braves getting credit for stuff they really didn't help with. I do not want to raise this to a squabble between tribes, because it is great to see other tribes be very tight and produce such cool stuff. To me, however, it is more important to always ensure that our little braves play a significant part in what we present, or the meaning behind it rings hollow. I would rather do what we do and lose than have the dads make cool stuff just to win, while the little braves get very little out of it, and frankly, do not learn the right lesson. I guess that was another soap box, but so be it.
The Creek worked hard, had great meals by our esteemed chefs, Dean, Bob, and Broph, and had a great campout. Dean, you rule for bringing us the Golden Skillet for only the second time I can remember in Creek history (through the past eight seasons).
I have one more soap box item. At the end of the campout I had a discussion with all of the little braves about minding the 3rd and 5th Aims. A little back ground from my perspective: The COOLEST thing for the youngest braves is to hang with the older little braves. Skylar was that way when he was young and every young brave since him that I have seen has been that way as well. As the little braves get older (around the 10-11 age), they tend to start separating themselves from the younger braves because they are becoming more interested in 'big boy' stuff. We, as dads need to remind our young braves, whether they are younger or older, that in Indian Guides they are brothers, and that they need to always look to include each other in their activities, and VERY IMPORTANTLY, do not fall into the temptation of bullying or treating the young braves poorly. On that note, we as dads need to set the example for the little braves in how we treat each other so that the little braves know that we are one tight unit, and that we all have the authority, at any time, to pull a little brave aside and give him constuctive discipline if a situation warrants it. It has been suggested to me that an agreement be drawn up that we sign on to as the big braves regarding what we are willing to allow the other big braves to do in this regard. My sentiment on this is that any big brave certainly has the right, and is expected to provide constructive discipline to any little brave who needs it at any given moment. We are all not always around our own kids, so dads who are around kids who are not their own should feel no hesitation in stepping in when needed. If the tribe feels that it needs to be discussed where a line would be drawn in dads disciplining kids other than their own, then I have no problem having this be addressed at our next meeting. Otherwise, what I have said should certainly not present a problem for anyone. Think about it and I'll bring it up at the meeting. Personally, I think we have a great group of guys and this tribe has the potential to become tight and do great things.
OK, no more soap boxes.
Next meeting is Nov 8th at Chez Pletcher. Geoff, this is a chance for Ryan to earn his brown beaded claw. Additionally, I'd like the bear claw guys to look at going for the black beaded claw.
Feather earners look to earn the red feather (know all of the other little braves' indian names) and the blue feather (if this is your third meeting with good conduct). If your little brave still needs to work on the yellow or brown feather, make that the primary goal.
I'm looking forward to great things to come for Creek in the remainder of the season.
More to follow,
Chuckles
The King of Snakes
Aho Creek,
