"A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, reverent." - Boy Scout Law
Tyler leaves for Scout camp in 2 days. 2 days! We have been talking about this for weeks and I have been subsiding his fears with excitement of how much fun he will have when he gets there. He and a boy named Sam have paired up to share a tent for the 10 days. They too have been very excited about bunking together. There was a scout meeting last night (that we missed due to a baseball game) and there was a dilemma discussed.
Let me set the scene for you, there is a certain Scout in our troop that is down right mean and is unclean. This boy joined Scouts last year and has felt like an outsider since, this is why I think he acts out - even though the other boys have made an attempt to welcome him. The first camp out this kid attended - his tent STUNK! The second night of the camp out the 2 boys that slept in that tent BEGGED not to sleep in there again with him. This boy has also threatened to hit Ty not to long ago and Brian instructed Ty to 'knock his ass out'.
OK, since I've drawn you a small picture... here's the dilemma - he doesn't have a tent mate and they want Ty to switch.
My heart is torn. I want Ty to be happy, to enjoys his first year at camp and go through with the plans that he made. Why should he have to give up his original plans? Then again, I feel awful when I say 'no'.
'Pig pen' is God's child too. He needs to be shown love. Jesus wouldn't turn his back on him and we are to live by Jesus's example.
BUT then don't label me as a doormat either. All these parents attending last nights meeting could have stepped up and offered their boy to change tent assignments. After saying, "they don't spend a lot of time in the tents anyway." But they didn't.
Why burden me with this? I'm so upset about this right now - I can't even put all my thoughts down. I apologize if it seems I'm rambling.
I know Tyler is mature enough to handle this, I feel like there was a reason behind this why it came down to Tyler. If only Tyler could befriend and be a leader to him and the other boys for stepping up to the plate when he was needed...
Tonight I am going home to talk with over with Tyler and get his take on it. As I see it right now, not a whole lot of the boys are living by the Scout Law.
What's your take? What would you do? If you are reading this, please leave a comment and offer some advice.
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4 comments:
Hey Sweetie...I share your pain and know how important this is to you and for Ty too. You Snyder's are ALWAYS the ones to step up to the plate and do what's right...you've proven that many, many times. Why can't Ty, Sam and PP all 3 share a tent?? That way Ty and Sam can still be tent buddies as planned and PP can share the tent too. It will all work out sweetie and I know Tyler will have a great time. Maybe his being a friend to PP is what PP needs.
I'm not anonymous!!! I am the "Paisley Peanut".
The tents at Bartle have two cots in each tent, it wouldn't be possible to fit a third in there.
My opinion is mixed. I think if this kid has threatened to hit Ty, then I'd tell the other parents it wasn't happening. He is a great kid though, and he might be able to turn it around for the kid. 10 days is a long time to spend away from home with a kid you aren't buddies with. Were are this kids parents for all this? Were they not at the meeting?
Oh dear lord! I can tell you my heart would be aching. Tyler is a GREAT kid, and the leaders know that... that is why he is the chosen one. ; ) I being non-confrontational ... am trying to think of a compromise. I think this young scout they want him to room with needs to be talked to (about hygene, fighting etc). And Ty should be able to get out of the situation if things do not work out. Or hey ... let the scouts take turns sleeping in the tent (sounds silly but, that way everyone is involved and gets to know this young man, and Ty doesn't have to be the soul scout. Make this a learning experience for all the scouts how to get along with each other. Kel-Koo listen to your heart ... it will tell you what to do. Brownie B.
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