In the evening my family and I went to the meeting of Cub Scout.
Yesterday the regional director of the organization visited my daughter’s class and invited kids to the meeting. She briefly explained what they can expect from being a member. My daughter and all the other classmates were so excited to hear the director’s introduction. Many of her classmates said they would join.
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When my daughter asked me to go to the introduction meeting of Cub Scout, I was happy that she was interested in.
Back when I was a high school student, I joined at Cub Scout as an assistant leader. I worked as a volunteer so I didn’t get paid. In return I didn’t need to pay for anything such as a fee for camping loading or food. Among all of the benefits, I liked to experience as a leader. Those days, I wanted to become an elementary school teacher.
To become an assistant leader was easy for me at that time. One of my acquaintances told me about the opening. One Cub Scout leader was looking for someone for the position. I received his phone number and called him. He asked me to go see him for the interview. We liked each other right away and he gave me the position. I started participating their activity from the weekend of the interview day. I worked for them for about one year. Since I was friendly and outgoing, I could easily make friends with the kids. I enjoyed working in the nature with the pure hearted kids. It is still one of my precious experiences in life.
In my leader’s division, he set the members with only boys. He divided into two age groups. One was the younger group consisted kindergarteners to second graders. The other was older group consisted third graders to fifth graders. I was assigned to the older group. I liked my leader’s decision of separating older boys and younger boys. The younger boys are still hard to listen quietly. They need more supports and assistance than the older boys. Their abilities are obviously different.
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Once we got to the meeting room, the majority attendees were younger boys of kindergarteners to first graders. My daughter expected some of her female classmates to be there, but none of them were there.
The regional director started the meeting. She was probably in her 60s. She had a very short hair just like that of a man. She was very skinny and tall. She was wearing a uniform of a tight shirt and tight pants. With all approaches, she looked like unisex; man and woman.
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Today’s meeting was mainly about the information for adults.
She explained she needs adults’ volunteers to make this happen. Specifically five adults. When a volunteer person submits the application form, the organization will do the background check for the person and provide all the necessary online training. During her explanation, all the small boys got bored and fussy. They started making noise, and their noise got louder and louder.
When it comes to taking questions from attendees, mainly four parents started asking a bunch of questions taking in turns. Their questions continued on and on…
By the time the length of the meeting reached to one hour, one kindergartener quietly raised her hand. The regional director granted the girl to ask her question. Her question was simple and easy. She asked “how long more minutes this meeting will take?” We all busted into laughter. This little girl bravely asked the question that all the other attendees eager to ask. With her question, the meeting was ended. We could finally left the meeting room.
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I asked my daughter if she still wants to join this group. She shook her head. My husband and I got relieved to see her reaction.
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These are the reasons.
First is the costs. They can be pricey in all together. The member has to pay the monthly fee and buy a set of uniform and textbooks. The regional director says the financial aid is available, but most likely we are not qualified.
Second is how to set the age qualification. Their qualification if from 5 years old to 11 years old. As far as I saw in the attendees to the meeting, they will be nothing but young boys and they were pretty loud and fussy.
Third is how to set genders. This group is a combination of boys and girls. But at the meeting I didn’t see any other girl except for my daughter. I saw some older girls but they are older than 11 years old. They just attended the meeting for their younger brother. My daughter’s main reason to join was to make new female friends, but it seems to be no opportunities for that.
After we came back home, I was a bit disappointed to know this is not suitable for my daughter’s desire.
I hope we will find another good opportunity for my daughter to make new female friends around same age group.
three wisdom 