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!