I have always fought tooth and nail about being involved in Scouts for many, many years by trying to lay low, not ask questions or attend any meetings or look interested etc – those pesky scouters can smell enthusiasm a mile off. After all the years I watched my mum selflessly and tirelessly support Dad and my brothers through their Scouting endeavours without real recognition and often with no thanks I made a decision to never be that woman – I need and demand acknowledgement and I am not gonna wear khaki culottes to achieve that or stay anonymous within my life.
Positive No: 1:
I get to spend more time with my Dad - can't be a bad thing. My Dad is no longer a spring chicken flushed with the energy of youth, he is now more of a wrinkled tired old canvas tent going mouldy from lack of airing and has lost of few of its pegs along the way. This Dad tent is still very useful but it is prone to watching the History Channel and needs an afternoon nap most days......
Within the olive tinged realm of scouting he is a living legend. He is not a man who commands or asks for respect but he gets it regardless of where people stand within the organisation due to his gentle manner and quiet perserverance and he has made a sound and definate impact within the movement. He has been awarded, applauded and recognised as a Man of Action....you want something done, ask Greg!
So, when that man needs a helping hand - I had to say yes, right? Right?
Positive No: 2:
Having known a considerable number of scout leaders in my time, some of which will be out of jail in a few years :( - I have nothing but admiration and affection for the leaders at Kiama with whom I am involved now. They are supportive, friendly, funny and committed to doing their best for our kids and the scouting movement. They are very family oriented and just quite simply just good people.
My own childhood memories of scouting are mostly good though it mainly consisted of Mum and Dad dragging my sorry little Brownie arse everywhere to watch the boys do whatever adventurous activity was planned for them - all the while I was fervently wishing I could be the one who could go abseiling, camping and canoeing with the boys instead of having to sit with a bunch of bitchy girls learning the most 'useful' skill of blanket stitch and having to walk to the old people's home down the road from the hall which smelt like death's perfume of stale urine and rose water and sing festive Christmas carols. It was soooooo unfair.
Negatives:
There is only one true negative and that would be - drumroll......the lack of parental support in the group. Is anyone surprised?
Jesus on a hotdog! You'd think that the people of Kiama would step up and support such an amazing group of leaders who are their purely for THEIR kids. They don't do it for money, get very little recognition and make scouting enjoyable and educational for their kids.
Kiama hall was nearly falling apart and being dragged off by water rats - and a bunch of people including Dad worked tirelessly to see that the hall was renovated within an inch of it's life - now it is the Joan Rivers of scout halls as there is so much botox and filler in every crack and nook it won't age or wrinkle and is damn near immortal.
Do you think some of the parents could step up and say thanks for making the hall the best in the land? Nope.
Do you think they could supply a plate of food for the re-opening? Nope.
There are many other things I could write but it is now getting mean and I am getting weary of thinking about it. My full admiration goes to the parents who support, encourage and provide for us when we need it. They know who they are - and I thank you.
They say it takes a village....or perhaps it just takes a few good people and a village idiot who does the books...
No comments:
Post a Comment