Tiger Cub

Mr. Boy is now a Tiger Cub, the first grade introduction to Cub Scouts. Took some cajoling yesterday to get him to go to the organization meeting at the school, but when we got there he discovered six of his friends also there. And the counselors immediately organized them and the fifty or so others into age-ordered games of flag football, tug of war and water-balloon fights. Mr. B. came home tired but pleased with himself and the whole idea. Looks like a go. Now all we need is a blue uniform shirt, a neckerchief and a belt. The "pack" forgoes the official caps, trousers and  other stuff to help parents save money. But that’s not a new thing. Fifty some odd years ago when I joined Cub Scouts they also advised you not to buy the whole rig as few others did. The shirt’s important for the patches and badges and other stuff. Some parents don’t like scouts, as they think it’s too military, but, in fact, scouting prohibits military training (other than marksmanship) and military drill–except for simple flag ceremonies. With its emphasis on love of country, spiritual growth and helping others, it is, I think, the most civilizing organization a boy can join–and still have water-balloon fights.