We went to a ward trunk or treat on Friday, our first that we have ever been to. It was pretty fun and amusing; they boys got a large amount of candy, a good portion which boils down to me, as they don't like it. The same deal with trick or treating yesterday.
I got thinking about this as I did last year. The more I think about it, the more it doesn't bother me who goes trick or treating, as long as they are in costume and are polite. I was thinking today that I would dress up and bring my own bag, but then I thought that I don't need to be greedy, as I get plenty from the boys anyway. I hope that carry's on as they get older; as it is now, they are very good to share. Not only that, but I get the 3 boy multiplier. :)
We went basically the same route, which includes part of the path that I take to walk to the bus. This is down a back street and along a nice trail between two houses, out to 35th south. There are a few good friends out there that we visited.
I taught primary again today, this time to CTR 6. I have recently been given a second calling on top of 11 year old scoutmaster: I am now also scout committee chair, which means in part that I have had the unenviable task of coordinating rechartering and friends of scouting. I have been really torn about friends of scouting, bothered somewhat by what I see as some corruption with the national level (for instance, it bothers me that one of the numbers for a uniform costs $1).
Anyway, just a bunch of somewhat cohesive thoughts going on for me.
One memory burned into my mind is a time when you went trick-or-treating by yourself. You were dressed as robot, I think. Your costume glowed, foil or paint-I can't remember, as I watched you head out into the sunshine. (You wanted a good, early start.) I just remember watching you going all alone. I don't know if you were asked to join another group or if you went alone because that is how it worked out - I don't think you wanted to go with your sisters. I guess I also realized how much you were growing up. It is kind of a nostalgic memory.
ReplyDeleteI think your thoughts about the Scout National Committee is right on. I felt that way about the National PTA. These national organizations like to keep their hand in your pocket book. Their best work is fund raising on the backs of the local units. I guess they are necessary to hold the whole thing together, but their tactics are questionable. Maybe we are spoiled by the Church because their goal is to make things available at the lowest possible price, not to make a profit.
I have been wishing that the Church would distance itself from BSA ever since we had a 5th Sunday combined Priesthood/Relief Society meeting devoted to fundraising for scouts. We've had at least two of those in Galveston and one in St. Louis. I was uncomfortable having what amounted to a pledge drive at church. Each family was expected to donate so the ward could pay for its scouts to participate in the program that year without it being a burden on the parents. I would love to see the Church implement a Young Men's program similar to Personal Progress. I think it could be more cost-effective and easier to integrate our specific values. But I've never been involved in scouts and that's just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing is that the church asks us to support the BSA and I trust them - so maybe it would cost more than I think to do it on our own or there are other unseen benefits of joining together. Either way, I like scouting and have seen how it benefits the boys.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I've never had more than an announcement made at church about the fund raising. If a full class time was devoted to it, especially as an obligation, I'd be uncomfortable too.