If You Can’t Get The Job Done …

There is an old adage that we tend to over-estimate how much we can get done in the short-term and under-estimate how much we can get in the long-term.  If you think back through your experiences you may find this holds true for you.  Last weekend I got a lesson that could turn that on its head.

This weekend I again had a chance to accompany my sons to Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, SC.  The centerpiece of the museum is the USS Yorktown “The Fighting Lady” CV-10, an Essex Class Aircraft Carrier which I knew was built near the beginning of World War II and with her brave crew beat back the Japanese in the Pacific Theater.  As scouts we spend the entire weekend at the museum where we get to actually sleep in the berths of the Yorktown each night, just like sailors did 70+ years ago.  There are times in the evening when the ship is only open to scouts who are staying the night .  It was during one of the evening strolls that I found this:

The crew that built the Yorktown completed the task in just 16 1/2 months.  That is unbelievable, but it got me thinking  … Exactly what can I and my team get done in 16 1/2 months?  It’s time to set some stretch goals.

Imagine just how much Capt.  Joseph Clark could get done in the long-term … I call that inspirational!

The 40 Year Old … Snowboarder?

So before last weekend, I had never been skiing or snowboarding before.  I even included it in my 101 things To Do in 1001 Days.  So last weekend I joined Aiden’s Boy Scout Troop on a ski trip to Winterplace, West Virginia.  And based on some good advice decided I would try to learn to snowboard.

OK get your laughs out now ….

Can we continue?  Thanks … I thought it would be an adventure and boy was it.

The package we had included a lesson so we eagerly got our gear and reported to class.  Our “new” snowboarding group included Aiden, two other Scouts and two teenage boys and myself.  We had a wonderful instructor Mark, who demonstrated great patience with the boys and me.

I must have fallen 800 times during that lesson, but each an every time (with Aiden watching me) I got up and tried again.  And eventually, I was consistent enough to go down Green (easy) hills.

I loved the feeling of negotiating my way down the mountain (ok hill), and despite being incredibly tired and sore the next day, I suited up and went out to do it again.

It’s pretty simple to see there are two “Life Lessons” that were clearly illustrated …

Life Lesson #2:  You should never, ever give up.  No matter how many times you fall you get up dust yourself off and try it again.  Tenacity pays-off.  Sure tenacity hurts sometime, but if it was worth starting it is worth finishing.

And

Life Lesson #3:  Don’t let yourself believe that it’s too late, or you’re too old to learn something new.  It’s not and you are not.

I had a blast learning something new with my son despite the fact that later on the second day I fell and probably cracked a rib.  But even then, I forced myself up one more time and tried again.  Once it heals, I will definitely be back to try it again.  But this time I’ll focus more on following instructor Mark’s “How to Fall” instructions.

Scout Law Word Find

Webelos are required to learn the Scout Law as they prepare to become Boy Scouts. 

The Scout Law is as follows:

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thirfty, brave, clean and reverent.

To help the boys learn this Law.  I’ve created a word find which can be downloaded:  Scout Law Word Find

Feel free to use this and share it with others.

WEBELOS Safety Notebook Template

With the help of a few resources I found online, I created a template that Den Masters or Akela’s can provide to their Cub Scout(s) to create their Safety Notebook as required by the second requirement of the WEBELOS Fitness Activity Badge.

Link to Template

I’m planning to use this activity to close out our activities in Fitness.  As part of it, I’ll encourage the boys get creative putting a cover on the this notebook using construction paper, markers, and paint.  This creative activity will bridge the boys toward starting the WEBELOS Art Activity Badge.

Crossword Puzzle for WEBELOS Fitness Activity Badge

I created a crossword puzzle that can be used to reinforce the Effects of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs as outlined in the Cub Scout Handbook.  The puzzle can be found here: Effects of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs

This activity can be used to complete the requirements for the WEBELOS Fitness Activity Badge.

Please feel free to use and share it.