fire station...

Buddy is getting so close to finishing his Wolf badge.  A trip to the fire station to talk to the firemen about fire safety means he only has four more requirements to do by June 27th in order to become a Bear.  He can do it. 

four more loops...

Buddy has been a busy little beaver, um, or should I say wolf?  He earned four more belt loops in the past couple of months and was rewarded with them during the last pack meeting.  He earned belt loops for Photography, Music, Reading and Writing, and Computers.  He is doing an awesome job and will soon be done with the requirements for his wolf badge.

buddy takes some pictures...

Buddy is still working on several belt loops for Cub Scouts.  One of the ones he chose to do is photographer.  And since I LOVE taking pictures, he naturally asked me to help.  I let him use our good camera (it's not a DSLR and if anyone wants to get me one, feel free - I'm up for donations) and I taught him a few things about macro, zoom and lighting.  I think Buddy did a really good job taking pictures.

 These are by our front door and they are more of a purple color.  Like I said, we were working on lighting and this was in the shade.

pinewood derby...

The Pinewood Derby is a must for every Cub Scout. Buddy was super excited to participate. He designed, sanded, added weights, puttied, and painted almost all by himself. Dad helped somewhat and someone cut his car for him because we don't have those type of tools (someday maybe we will).

On the big day, Dad and Buddy worked together to add the wheels and graphite them.  The car weighed a perfect 5 ounces, which is the maximum weight.

Here are some of the other cars that were entered in the Derby.  There were 32 cars in all.

This was my favorite shot of the night.  Even though Buddy's car came in last during this heat, it showed the lightning bolt and number VERY well (they were made from reflective tape).

Buddy was a good sport about the whole thing.  He came in 23 of 32 overall and 3 out of 4 for his age group.  Not bad, considering it was his first race.  His car won the "Most Realistic Looking" award.  That was awesome.

blue and gold...

I know at some point in my life I have been to a Blue and Gold dinner before.  My brothers were both scouts and although it's been awhile, I'm sure I attended one before.

Sometimes we forget about the smaller achievements that cub scouts do.  For example:  Buddy is on the swim team.  Well, for cub scouts he can earn both a belt loop and a pin in swimming.  So that is what he received during the awards portion of the dinner. 

These were the requirements:

Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Explain rules of Safe Swim Defense. Emphasize the buddy system.
2. Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family.
3. While holding a kick board, propel yourself 25 feet using a flutter kick across the shallow end of the swimming area

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Sports Pin

Earn the Swimming belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Practice the breathing motion of the crawl stroke while standing in shallow water. Take a breath, place your head in the water, exhale, and turn your head to the side to take a breath. Repeat.
2. Learn and demonstrate two of the following strokes: crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, or breaststroke.
3. Learn and demonstrate two of the following floating skills: prone, facedown float, and back float. The purpose of the float is to provide the swimmer the opportunity to rest in the water.
4. Using a kickboard, demonstrate three kinds of kicks.
5. Pass the "beginner" or "swimmer" swim level test.
6. Visit with a lifeguard and talk about swimming safety in various situations (pool, lake, river, ocean). Learn about the training a lifeguard needs for his or her position.
7. Explain the four rescue techniques: Reach, Throw, Row, and Go (with support)
8. Take swimming lessons.
9. Attend a swim meet at a school or community pool.
10. Tread water for 30 seconds.
11. Learn about a U.S. swimmer who has earned a medal in the Olympics. Tell your den or an adult family member what you learned about him or her.
12. Demonstrate the proper use of a mask and snorkel in a swimming area where your feet can touch the bottom

After the dinner and awards, we found out there are so many belt loops that would be easy for Buddy to earn in a pretty short amount of time.  However, we won't forget about the requirements that will have him earn the rank of Wolf.  It's a family effort.