I had the fortunate experience of having my father for a Boy Scout leader. On one outing, it wasn't so much what my father did, but what he didn't do, that made the day memorable.
We were camping at our "home" campsite: basically a really large, partly wooded, horse pasture. Through the center of our campsite ran a small stream (20 ft across) with a couple of tiny islands. Each island contained a gnarled tree...and plenty of mud.
After dinner, we (the scouts) somehow started a huge "mudball" fight. It was completely informal, yet at the same time rules and objectives were understood and unspoken. Each team vied for control of the other's island. The trees made great bases with plenty of spots to duck behind and hang from.
Initially, my fun was hampered by what my mom would say when she found my mud-caked clothes at the end of the weekend. I was worried my dad would tell us to stop and to find something less: dirty, dangerous, violent to do. However, my dad stood with the other leaders and watched, recognizing the need for adolescent boys to be all of those things. He allowed us to make our own fun, and to deal with Mom later.
That weekend stands out as a wonderful time "being boys " with the other boys, and one of the first times my dad made me feel like I was becoming a man.
We were camping at our "home" campsite: basically a really large, partly wooded, horse pasture. Through the center of our campsite ran a small stream (20 ft across) with a couple of tiny islands. Each island contained a gnarled tree...and plenty of mud.
After dinner, we (the scouts) somehow started a huge "mudball" fight. It was completely informal, yet at the same time rules and objectives were understood and unspoken. Each team vied for control of the other's island. The trees made great bases with plenty of spots to duck behind and hang from.
Initially, my fun was hampered by what my mom would say when she found my mud-caked clothes at the end of the weekend. I was worried my dad would tell us to stop and to find something less: dirty, dangerous, violent to do. However, my dad stood with the other leaders and watched, recognizing the need for adolescent boys to be all of those things. He allowed us to make our own fun, and to deal with Mom later.
That weekend stands out as a wonderful time "being boys " with the other boys, and one of the first times my dad made me feel like I was becoming a man.