I know Jill does the majority of posts to this blog, but I have to make a post to personally tell family and friends about my father’s day this year. Saturday June 19th Ian and I drove up to Tomahawk Scout Camp near Rice Lake, WI. All together there were over 30 scouts and 13 leaders from Troop 619 that went to Tomahawk this year. Once we arrived, the troop set up camp and the scouts readied themselves for a week of activities including working on merit badges, swimming, hiking, and much more. The scouts thought it was pretty cool that there was a bald eagle nest in a tall tree located in the middle of the campsite. The eagle could often be seen flying to and from the nest. Ian holds one of the “Troop Guide” leadership positions in his troop. He has a patrol of 1st year scouts under his wing and I was able to see him working with them directly as they set up their patrol camp site.

When a scout transitions from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts a parent must shift gears. A Boy Scout troop is “boy run”. Leaders are there to advise, but the scouts run the program. Parents, even the leaders, have to take a step back and let the scouts take charge. This gives the scouts valuable leadership experience. The scouts have their challenges, but through advisement from the older scouts and leaders they learn from what does not work, and they revel in the satisfaction of a job well done when things come together. I mention this here try and help you visualize the role of myself and the other leaders at camp. We look on, and advise where needed and let the boy leadership structure operate. I want to chime in and say we don’t just avoid our sons at camp. We participate in many of the activities with them and have fun.

Spending Father’s Day weekend at camp was particularly fantastic for me this year. For starters, I went to Tomahawk Scout Camp every year when I was a scout. Now, on Father’s Day, I am at the very same camp with my son, just a couple of camp sites down from where I camped as a scout. How cool is that?!!? Another thing I really enjoyed is that I got to see my son in action as a troop guide. I believe Ian truly likes teaching others and it shows. I was very proud when I heard from another leader who witnessed Ian handle a situation with his patrol. The leader said he was very impressed with how Ian dealt with the situation sternly, but in such a manner that he helped the scouts realize what needed to be corrected in a very mature manner. This is not the first compliment I have heard over the years about Ian’s leadership skills.

Little did I know there was more to come. Sunday evening there was a campfire with all the troops at camp in attendance. After the counselors did a variety of skits, the Order of the Arrow call out ceremony took place. Yep, Ian was one of three scouts from our troop who were selected (or “called out”) as a candidate to become a member of the Oder of the Arrow!!! For those of you that don’t know, the Order of the Arrow is scouting’s national honor society. Here are the basics as described by the Boy Scouts of America….

“For more than 95 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.”

Ian had to meet certain minimum rank and camping requirements to even be considered. Then, in a secret ballot election a few months ago, each member of Troop 619 voted on the eligible scouts. If scouts received a qualifying percentage of the vote, they are then “called out” at a ceremony like the one at Tomahawk. The ballot is kept secret, so no one except for a couple of people knows who has been elected until the ceremony takes place. I had no idea Ian had been selected until Sunday’s ceremony.

Ian is not yet a member of the Order of the Arrow. He is a “candidate” and will have the opportunity to secure his membership in the near future.

Ian being called out at the OA ceremony was particularly meaningful to me as I am a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. The photo of Ian and me below was taken at the dining lodge after the call out ceremony. The red arrow I am wearing with the two red bars is my Brotherhood OA sash.



Ian has another family member who was a member of the Order of Arrow. Ian’s great grandfather James Nelson was also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Eagle Scout James is pictured below in 1943 wearing his OA sash. Back then, there were no bars at each end of the arrow to signify a Brotherhood member. The sash was worn over the right shoulder for Ordeal members and over the left shoulder for Brotherhood.



To top things off Ian is the troop bugler. Each night I got to hear him play taps and each morning he played reveille! It was for me an incredible few days at camp. Right now Ian and the other scouts are still up at camp. Ian is working on a number of merit badges including wilderness survival. I would have loved to stay the week, but I need to return to work. I know this post is long, but I wanted to share my experience with you all. Great job Ian! Keep up the good work!

- Jeff

P.S. Ian was a crack shot at the shotgun range hitting 100% of the targets!