I never saw this coming, but my life has taken off in a new direction. I'm not complaining at all, but I'll attribute all this to Konnor. He has zero interest in hunting, but does love the outdoors and has showed a passion for Scouts. Without realizing it, the stuff that consumes me now, is Scouts.
Anyway, the pack had our fall campout the weekend of October 20th. I was sitting at a picnic table, preparing the campfire program when one of my scouts (Tyler) came up from behind, tapped me on the shoulder and mouthed that he was choking. This kid is always clowning around, so I turned and asked him if he was really choking. He nodded, with a look of panic in his eyes.
Before I could even get up off the bench, my assistant Cubmaster (Herc) came up from behind him and put both arms around his abdomen. He then asked Tyler if he was choking. As soon as he nodded, Herc started the Heimlich. Four thrusts later Tyler coughed up a water bottle cap. He had opened the bottle with his teeth and somehow swallowed the cap.
I've read up on all the awards for both scouts and adult leaders so as soon as we got back, I started the paperwork. At our next pack meeting on November 14th, the nomination had been reviewed and two district representatives came to help me present Herc with the Medal of Merit. It is an award for saving a life.
I've done a LOT of training as an adult leader, been nominated for 2 different leadership awards and collected five different knots. This award though means more than all of those combined. I'm honored to have leaders like this in my pack.
Matt (district rep), Herc, me
Herc and Tyler
The award
When I started emailing district people to find the proper channel to submit the nomination, the committee chair asked me how I even knew about the award. I explained that I found the information when looking for something else. After the presentation was complete, I got a follow-up email from him asking if I'd be interested in joining the committee that reviews the meritorious action nominations.
So now I've added another role to my adult scouting career!
Anyway, the pack had our fall campout the weekend of October 20th. I was sitting at a picnic table, preparing the campfire program when one of my scouts (Tyler) came up from behind, tapped me on the shoulder and mouthed that he was choking. This kid is always clowning around, so I turned and asked him if he was really choking. He nodded, with a look of panic in his eyes.
Before I could even get up off the bench, my assistant Cubmaster (Herc) came up from behind him and put both arms around his abdomen. He then asked Tyler if he was choking. As soon as he nodded, Herc started the Heimlich. Four thrusts later Tyler coughed up a water bottle cap. He had opened the bottle with his teeth and somehow swallowed the cap.
I've read up on all the awards for both scouts and adult leaders so as soon as we got back, I started the paperwork. At our next pack meeting on November 14th, the nomination had been reviewed and two district representatives came to help me present Herc with the Medal of Merit. It is an award for saving a life.
I've done a LOT of training as an adult leader, been nominated for 2 different leadership awards and collected five different knots. This award though means more than all of those combined. I'm honored to have leaders like this in my pack.
Matt (district rep), Herc, me
Herc and Tyler
The award
When I started emailing district people to find the proper channel to submit the nomination, the committee chair asked me how I even knew about the award. I explained that I found the information when looking for something else. After the presentation was complete, I got a follow-up email from him asking if I'd be interested in joining the committee that reviews the meritorious action nominations.
So now I've added another role to my adult scouting career!
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