July 4, 2013

15 Jul 2013•Nathan, People

One aspect of Boy Scouts is community service and every year on July 4th, Scouts all over America demonstrate this. Here in Santa Barbara as part of Troop 26, Nathan and several of his fellow scouts help set up and take down garbage and recycle bins up and down State Street for the annual 4th of July parade.

Nathan and other scouts from Troop 26 setting up for the Santa Barbara 4th of July parade.

It’s great seeing Nathan and his friends in their full Class A uniforms doing this community service. They looked very sharp, were well behaved and in general, represented Troop 26 (and their families) very well.

Getting ready to walk

After the setup was done, some of the scouts headed over to actually walk down State Street with scouts from other troops and carry a very large American Flag. This was a really fun opportunity and they allowed parents and siblings of the scouts to participate as well. This was a huge deal to Devyn!

The boys took their places to carry the flag down State Street.

That is one big flag!

Marching down State Street

Not a whole lot of commentary coming up as I think the pictures speak for themselves. 🙂

Another group in front of us showing their spirit.

That’s our boy.

Devyn looks back while marching in the parade.

Troop 26 proudly leading the way for the Los Padres Council.

Along the way, if the scouts weren’t carry the flag, one of the Scout Masters graciously purchased USA stickers to hand out to the crowd.

Nathan handing out some USA stickers.

At one point, a young boy who was with his family watching the parade stood up and approached Nathan. He was so excited to see Nathan’s scout uniform.

This boy was very impressed with Nathan and his scout uniform.

And next, he asked if he could have his picture taken with Nathan. And being a good scout (and a good kid in general), Nathan gladly complied with the request. I hope he smiled for their camera – because he rarely smiles for mine!

And wanted his picture taken with Nathan. It was so awesome.

Nathan in uniform

19 May 2013•Nathan, People

Nathan in Boy Scout uniform for the April Court of Honor.

Scouting for Food

11 Mar 2013•Nathan, People

Since Nathan was in the first grade, we have been involved with Scouting. One of the activities that they do each year that we enjoy getting behind and helping with is Scouting for Food. For the past 6 years, we’ve gone out and placed bags on doorsteps and then followed up a week later to collect the donations. We then drop them off at a local food bank.

The Scouts of Troop 26 getting ready to collect food donations. © Mike Wong

This year, Scouting for Food had a little twist for us. The troop that we recently joined, Troop 26, is very big on hiking. Each month, they do a day hike and an overnight hike. When Scouting for Food comes around, they do the food collection instead of a their day hike, but they still get their hike in.

Nathan and his fellow scouts loading up their packs. © Mike Wong

Once the boys collect the donations, with the help of cars, trucks and SUVs, they gather back up and load up their backpacks with food. Whatever doesn’t fit, and most of it doesn’t, gets driven to the Food Bank. But the boys, in their full Class A uniforms, will hike the 2 miles from the church where they meet, to the Food Bank.

Nathan setting out on the 2 mile hike to the food bank. © Mike Wong

It’s great on several levels. First, the boys get exercise. Second, the boys get to experience what many others around the world do – not everybody gets to just drive down to get their food. Third, everybody who passes them, sees the boys serving the community.

Nathan arriving at the food bank. © Mike Wong

This year, Troop 26 rounded up 2,281 pounds of food for the Santa Barbara Food Bank! After their hike with their loaded packs, they all received a complimentary hot dog, chips and water.

Of course, we had to grab a group photo of the Scouts and the Adult Leaders. Great job everybody!