A Historic Change in Scouting: Girls in Scouts BSA

The scouting movement is about building confidence, strong self-esteem, learning important life skills and leadership skills, team building, outdoor adventure, and most importantly it is about FUN! Scouts learn to make good choices and take responsibility for their actions so that they are prepared for life. Whether you think this sounds like being a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout you are right. As of February 2019 though there will be a new opportunity for young women ages 1-18. That is when the Boy Scouts of America launches Scouts BSA. Today's bog is about why scouting is important to me and why my daughter will be part of this historic change.

Above is the sticker on the back of my car window. It does not read "Girl Scout" or "Boy Scout." Not because I do not support either, but rather because I support BOTH. It's no secret that I am active in both youth organizations. Both of my children are in the organizations and soon my daughter can join both. I am a leader in both. My parents were leaders in both. My grandparents were leaders in both.

I was a Girl Scout and my brother was a Boy Scout because at that time that was the only options we had. I wanted to be a Boy Scout and do the things my brother was able to do. As a tomboy, I felt more tuned into activities that my male friends did. My daughter, is also a tomboy.

The Strength of Scouting

I am proud to be a scout, and prouder still that my kids have chosen that route. Each program has its strength. Girl Scouts has strong financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs. Boy Scouts has offered my son some stellar leadership options and more than 130 merit badge options. Did you know that many men have their adult hobby or career because of a merit badge they did as a Boy Scout?

As a leader I use the best tools to work within my Troops. I try bringing in the stronger financial literacy aspect to my son and boys I work with, so they understand what they are spending money on. I also try very hard to bring in much of the Boy Scout program to the girls I work with, whether that is through camping or an activity that is non-badge specific. Starting in February however, I will be ending my role as the Scout Master of my sons troop to start a new Scouts BSA Troop for my daughter.

My Decision

The decision to start the new troop was really born as a result of my daughters desire to join Scouts BSA. She wants to earn her Eagle Scout rank like her brother did and her Papa did. It's something that is in her blood. I considered simply finding a new troop, but I knew that my experience as a Scoutmaster would be invaluable in the new troop. I do enjoy scouting and have camped many times without my son, but since he is not camping as frequently, I thought it would be good to support my daughter too.

Ready for the Change?

Not everyone in the United States is ready for the change. The Girl Scouts recently filed a lawsuit against the BSA and many social media posts I have read bash those who are progressive enough to accept the change. I have some good friends who do not support the change, but I will never condone them for their beliefs. The World Organization of the Scout Movement has only a handful of scouting programs that are for "boys only" including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Botswana and Pakistan.

When the announcement was made about girls joining the Scouts BSA I have read, and personally faced a lot of backlash. I have seen many overly-negative comments about not supporting the Boy Scouts now that girls an join. To not support the organization the scouts though is to not support tomorrow's leaders. We want these youth to gain  leadership skills, give service to their communities and grow up with a strong moral compass. While I recognize that some girls will flourish in Scouts BSA, some will also flourish in Girl Scouts and some will flourish in both. Technically my daughter is ALSO gaining leadership in 4H and although she is joining Scouts BSA, she will remain a Girl Scout so that she can continue with some of the programming they offer.

So the next time you read an article about girls joining the Scouts BSA, please try and stay open minded. These young women will already be sent through the ringer. They are making history. For years I have had my scout Troops - My Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts camp together, cook together and do service together and the world has not ended. These kids are fantastic and I cannot wait to see where Scouting will take them.

Scouting: Step Up and Be a Leader!

Anyone who knows me knows that we are an active scouting family. Many of our weekends are spent camping or on scout outings, as are several days during any given week. That is to say that I am an active volunteer for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and I love it! I truly do think that anyone can be a great leader, whether as a den leader, product sales parent, field trip driver or simply as an active, involved parent.

This months piece "Scouting: Step Up and Be a Leader!" will focus on leadership in scouting.

Who I Am

For my son, I have been a Tiger Cub leader, Cub Scout leader and Webelos leader. When he crossed over to Boy Scouts, I stepped up to be an Assistant Scoutmaster (which is really more of a mentor than actual leader, but the age of the scouts will really determine what I am doing). Since I enjoy the mentoring aspect, I have been acting as a Merit Badge Councelor for several subjects, as well as leading up a Roundtable program for adults for several years. In addition to that I have been my daughters Scout Leader since she was a Daisy! I have also volunteered for several great one-day programs and activities for scouts.

I suppose this is something that is in my blood; I do like to volunteer. My grandfather was a scout leader and Scoutmaster for many generations and my mother was a den mother and Girl Scout leader for many years as well.

Yes, I am "one of those" adult scouters. My scouting has let me help plan and participate in so many great programs, take several fantastic trips, and do some amazing service projects with all my boys and girls. While I enjoy it, I also firmly believe that scouting can help develop youth leadership in a way that is unlike other opportunities. It would be remiss of me though not to mention that I could not have done much of this without the many fantastic parents and other leaders that have been on this journey as well. Parents truly help make the program what it is!

You and Scouting

That is not to say that every parent needs to be as active as I am. I do this because scouting speaks to me. I receive fulfillment from seeing the growth and development of all the youth - I truly like helping to guide our future generations. What fulfills you? Would teaching a group of youth to cook a meal on an outdoor campfire be cool? Do you have a technical background you can share? Are your artistic? What skills do you have that you would love to share with others?

I really do encourage each parent to step into some part of scouting, whether that is through leading a group, sitting on a Troop Committee, being a merit badge councilor for skills that you have or as a field trip driver, event planner or product sales parent. Every person has skills that can be shared and every parent can do something to help.

I liked to always tell my parents that taking an active role kept things moving certainly, but it also shows their child what the parent can do. Often kids leave a meeting beaming after seeing their parent take on a project. Sometimes too the youth even get to help in the planning and implementing which they greatly benefit from as well.

Not a parent of a scout-aged youth, but still want to be involved? I really do strongly feel that having a non-parent leader would be a HUGE asset. Why is that? As a parent, I have my own child as well as the other youth to consider. The other kids all have the parent and only their parent, while my children have to split my time and interest. I have heard it said that the "leaders kid" does more, which is likely true since that kid goes to everything with he parent. I will disagree with the kid getting more since they have to share the experience unlike the other youth. That's where a non-parent leader would be an exceptional asset. Non-parent adults have just as much to offer as the parents of the youth. They should consider this leadership opportunity as much as parents should!

Whether it is one 2-hour project, a single meeting, or taking on a much more active role as leadership, the time you give creates memories like no other. For you AND for all of the youth involved. Step up and be a leader, you won't be disappointed!

To find a Scout Troop please visit the Be a Scout website
To find a Girl Scout Troop in your area or volunteer opportunities visit www.girlscouts.org.

Back-to-school Bedtimes

This is the last week of summer for my children although for many throughout the area and state their kids have already gone back to school. For us, that meant a bedtime discussion, especially for my middle school aged child. She needs more sleep than her brother, always has. That also meant drama and whining in our household since I suggested 9:00 p.m. as her bedtime. So how do you deal with getting back into the routine? What is your child's school bedtime?

WebMD suggests that school aged children ages 7-12 get 10-11 hours of sleep each night while older teens should get 8-9 hours of sleep. As a parent with kids in that age range, I know how challenging mornings can get when they don't get into bed early enough. Cranky mornings are the worst.

One of the ways I avoid cranky mornings is that we don't allow TV or technology before school Monday-Thursday. Then IF they get up and get going without complaint, they get to have technology or TV on Friday mornings. We also pack Monday lunches on Sunday night, since Monday's always are the worst. While these help our morning routine some, it still does not help me encourage them the get into bed earlier.

A recent University of Michigan blog post offered these school night bedtime tips that I thought were interesting.

• Be consistent
• Store gadgets
• Cut out caffeine
• Create a refuge

We do store any electronics. In fact even I find that placing my phone across the room means I won't reach for it in the middle of the night to surf social media. We also don't dink much, or caffeinated beverages. Our challenge, with sports, activities, scouts, etc. is consistency.

"Set and maintain a schedule that helps reinforce the notion of turning in: bath time, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas and perhaps reading a book together. “Routine is very important,” Reed says, noting that the rundown shouldn’t change on weekends." 

This was easier when they were younger but not so much now.  So, what can a mom do? Your thoughts are always appreciated! Comment below with your school routine challenges or solutions we can all benefit!

Disney Junior Play Date

On March 24, noon-1:30 p.m. in the JCPenney Court at Briarwood Mall, area families can come to a Disney Junior play date with Muppet Babies. This free event will feature sampling from Dole, balloon tying, street magic, juggling, Bingo with shapes, and other family friendly activities.

The event is free but space is limited, so please reserve your space online. The ticket will entitle event goers to receive a Make and Take Disney Muppet Babies Color Wheel, a game piece for Color and Shape Bingo, Dole snacks and more. Craft supplies are limited to attendees who reserve their spot, but a ticket is not required to participate in the music and entertainment portions of the event.

Free Dental Health Care at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Each year, the University of Michigan School of Dentistry Student Council sponsors Dental Health Day for kids ages 4-18. This free dental clinic will be offered on March 31, 2018 to Ann Arbor and surrounding communities.

Because of the increasing cost of dental care, lack of information about dental services and changes in insurance coverage, many people refrain from seeking dental evaluation and service until they are experiencing pain, or find themselves in and emergency situation. Dental Health Day was designed to allow more people, who would otherwise refrain from seeking dental treatment, to receive basic dental health care, free of charge, reducing risks of emergencies.

This year, Dental Health Day will be held March 31, at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, 1011 N. University in Ann Arbor. Individuals regardless of income can participate in the program. An appointment is not necessary, however, patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Treatments will not be provided. Registration will start at 7:30 and will continue until noon or until 100 patients have been evaluated. All participants will receive FREE oral exams, FREE oral cancer
screenings, FREE dental x-rays and FREE oral hygiene instruction. Please enter the School of Dentistry at the North University Avenue entrance. Parking will be available at the Fletcher Street parking structure.

If you have further questions or seek additional information, please contact U of M School of Dentistry (989) 787-0712, e-mail them at gkasumsod@gmail.com or visit the School of Dentistry's website.

Ann Arbor Summer Camp & Day Camp Expo

Find details on Ann Arbor Summer Camps
and Summer Day Camps during the Summer
Camp Expo at Briarwood Mall.

It may be cold and the sun may not be shining much, but I know many Ann Arbor parents are beginning to plan what to do this summer when the sun DOES come out; Ann Arbor parents are already considering summer camp and day camp experiences when the kids are out of school for summer vacation! I know, I have already started looking too...

I am in the process of updating my annual list of Ann Arbor summer camp and summer day camp options for parents, but if you are anxious (and I know many of you are based on the e-mails I have received) then I have a solution for you!

On March 3, 2016, noon-4:00 p.m., Briarwood Mall will once again host its annual “Spring into Summer” Camp Expo. This year’s event will hist more than two dozen camps and will address a wide range of interests for children and young adults up to age 18. Some of the camps already slated to attend include Oz’s Music, Go Like the Wind Montesorri, Summer’s Knoll, and several YMCA day camps.

Attendees at the free event will also enjoy entertainment from Colors the Clown and various kids activities. Do you have a fun kids activity to include in the event? Be sure to register for this free camp expo event.

Ann Arbor summer camps that wish to send me updates on their summer camp programs can contact me at tmayrend at gmail dot com - This year I will also have openings for sponsorship and special advertising deals for Ann Arbor summer camps and those in the surrounding communities!

Support Beginning & Struggling Readers with Circus Vowels

A few years ago I wrote a blog post about a book called Circus Vowels. My children and I really did enjoy reading the book, and even today I still use some of the analogy even though my kids are in middle school.

Now, author and creator Jodi McMaster, is launching a Kickstarter campaign for Circus Vowels: Empowering Beginning and Struggling Readers. Through the campaign she is hoping to bring awareness to the interactive teaching tools she has created that get children up and moving while working on phonics skills. 

Her book includes reading strategies that give children the power to get up, move around, and act out the story while wearing letter vests. The book is called, Circus Vowels: The Long and the Short of It. It makes learning to read easy, fun, and simple. It is for parents to read with their children or teachers to read to their students. Basically, it teaches any beginning or struggling reader a trick that helps them understand which vowel makes which sound within a word. 

The Circus Vowels interactive reading strategies have already helped over 100,000 children learn to read and are being used in thousands of classrooms across the country. You can check them out at www.circusvowels.org. 

For individuals who become Circus Vowels Kickstarter backers, they will receive awesome rewards and feel good knowing that books/kits will be donated to children and schools in need. 

Ann Arbor Spring Break Camp Programs

With spring break rapidly approaching, area parents are beginning to plan for the big question: “What will I do with my child when they are out of school on break?” If you haven’t done so already, following is a list of spring break camp programs in and around Ann Arbor. I will add to the list as additional camp opportunities are brought to my attention!

Ann Arbor Art Center Spring Break Camp
Kids ages 5-12 get creative at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Before and after care is available. Cost $360+.

Leslie Science & Nature Center Spring Break Camp
Kids in grades K-5 can experience the great outdoors with a walk in the woods, frolic in the fields, or poke around local ponds, filling spring break with natural wonders - Other activities include outdoor games, survival skills and explorations on the wet and wild side. Register online, drop off or mail-in form at 1831 Traver Road (Ann Arbor, MI 48105) or call 734.997.1553. Cost: $250.

Peachy Fitness Spring Break Camp
Yoga and fitness camp for kids ages 5-14 runs daily 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. Cost $175.

Summers-Knoll School Spring Break Camp
Kids in grades pre-k through 8th grade should plan to join in on a week of spring break adventures at Summers-Knoll School (2203 Platt, Ann Arbor, 48104). The program offers engaging and educational programs for children ages 4.9 years through 13 years. Campers are divided into age-appropriate groups for daily art, science, and outdoor activities. Pre and post camp care is also available for an additional fee. Register online and contact Rachel Goldberg (rgoldberg@summers-knoll.org or 734.971.7991734.971.7991 with questions. Cost $255.

WideWorld Sports Spring Break Camp
Experience an indoor soccer camp during spring break for half or full day. Before care starts as early as 7:30 a.m. with a late pick-up up until 6:00 p.m. Cost: $135/$195

If you have additional spring break camp information, please list it below in the comments of contact me at tmayrend (at) gmail dot com.

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Valentine's Day Craft Projects for Kids and Teens

Kid's can make their Valentine a salt-dough 

heart or create other personalized craft 

creations this week at several events 

throughout Ann Arbor.

Photo courtesy of Kaboose.

When I think of Valentine's Day, I am reminded of a Valentine's Day school party in fifth grade. I passed out the typical handcrafted Valentine's Day cards to classmates and even got crafty with salt-dough, shaping it into a Valentine heart that I gave to Hank, my fifth grade crush. Unfortunately for me, even though I didn't label who the heart was from, he knew, and proceeded to tell the entire class I didn't know how to cook. Explaining that it wasn't a cookie was a fruitless effort and quite embarrassing!

Creating Valentine's Day gifts, though, became a tradition of sorts and one that I have passed to my children — everyone loves a good treat, be it baked or crafted, and this week throughout Ann Arbor, there are many opportunities for your children and teens to craft their hearts out!

Michaels Crafts is always a good location for free or low-cost "Make-it Take-it" craft projects, and this week they are not failing to deliver. On Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10:00 a.m. - noon, kids ages 3 and up can drop in to create their own Valentine's Day Love Bugs for $2. Then on February 10, from 10:00-12:00 p.m. Kids can make a Valentine's Day Card for $5
Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises.

The Ann Arbor Library has a couple events for children and teens to create sometime sweet for their sweethearts. On Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2:00 p.m. at the Traverwood branch, try creating your Valentine a felt flower. Then on February 10 at 2:00 p.m., stop by the Mallets Creek branch to make a Valentine card. Be sure to log into your Ann Arbor Library account to register!

Do you know of other Valentine's Day events to add to the calendar. Please share them in the comments below!

Brick Bash Ann Arbor

Attention LEGO Builders and fans, Brick Bash - Ann Arbor's very own celebration of everything LEGO, hits town on February 10, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Skyline High School (2552 N Maple Rd, Ann Arbor).

For just $5/person or $20/family, families will find their LEGO dreams come true. See amazing LEGO models created by hobbyists from around the country, find thousands of LEGO, Duplo, and Bionicle bricks to play with and see LEGO movies featuring educational, hands-on building projects.

You can also find Brick Bash on Facebook - Hope to see you there!

Winter Fun Fest

Get your Winter Fun Fest passport stamped
at three events and get a free t-shirt and tote bag!

Many of my readers will know that I am a scout leader for both of my children. My son is now in Boy Scouts and I am his Assistant Scoutmaster and my daughter is a Junior Girl Scout. What makes scouting amazing to me is the amount of outdoor activities the scouts do. The non scouting part of me also likes to be outdoors - Playing sports, hiking, sitting in the woods or foraging for good eats. Basically the outdoors is a big part of our lives.

This winter your family can enjoy the outdoors too during the Winter Fun Fest happening throughout Washtenaw County. Winter Fun Fest runs from January 27th until Feburary 25th with over 20 fun winter events in three weeks! Whether you like warming up by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa or tromping through the freshly fallen snow, we've got something for everyone to enjoy.

 At the first event you attend you can pick up your Fun Fest Passport - if you attend three events in the next three weeks, you will win a free T-Shirt or Tote! A full list of Winter Fun Fest events can be found here: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/activities/winter-fun-fest/calendar-of-events-winter-fun-fest

Did I mention that these are free events? Certainly there may be some parks that require an entry fee but get ready to have some free fun with the family!