FATHERHOOD WEEK: Dads And Their "Cubs" Enjoy Time Together

At a recent end of the year Cub Scout party Dave Underwood, like the other dads in the room, could not take his eyes off the television. A compellation of pictures of themselves and their sons over the previous five years passed in front of them. Most of the ten scouts in the Pack 731 Den 10 had been in scouting since the beginning of first grade. This past May all the boys participated in the annual “Bridging Ceremony” at the Millersville KOA campground. The outdoor event included a camp fire and a small mock bridge over which each Cub Scout crossed to become a Boy Scout.     

According to Cub Master Brian Taschenberger the Cub Scouts and their parents worked hard to reach this night. Each of the Scouts made the long journey up the Cub Scout ranks. They spent as many as five years advancing through the ranks of Tiger, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and finally Webelos.  “I am very proud of the work these families and sons have put into the scouting experience,” said Taschenberger.

Den Leader Underwood said “The Scout programs provide a framework to instill in our boys the values that we all want our sons to have. I enjoy volunteering with Cub Scout Pack 731 because I get to help our boys learn skills that will serve them throughout their lives while also helping to ensure that Scouting remains alive and well in our community.”  

The Crofton resident went on to say, “It has been wonderful, I enjoy the same things that our Cub Scouts enjoy most—hiking, camping, and hanging out with friends. But I most enjoy watching these boys as they grow into young men while they progress through the ranks.”

Also enjoying the quality time with his son is Chuck Shepherd, Leader for Den 8. “This has been a great year for me and my son. Making new friends and watching a group of boys mature into confident young men that have learned values of good conduct, respect for others and the importance of honesty,” said Shepherd. He added, that more importantly he is blessed to already have a close relationship with his son and scouting has helped to reinforce the values they teach at home. The father of two sons, Shepherd said “my youngest son Tommy will start Cub Scouts in two years and I will volunteer to be his Den Leader.”

Underwood will also continue to participate in Cub Scouts “My older son has moved on to Boy Scouts but I plan to continue volunteering with Pack 731 while my younger son advances through the Cub Scout ranks.” The father of two jokingly went on to say “I know my boys sometimes wish I wasn’t at every Cub Scout meeting and activity, but our Cub Scout memories are ones that we will share and treasure forever.

Davey Wavey is a Bear! | Break the Illusion Blog by Davey Wavey

While labels may be best suited for clothes, it hasn’t stopped many gay people from adopting classifications to describe the subcultures in the gay community. There are daddies, twinks, twunks, otters, cubs – and yes, even bears.

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a bingo fundraiser for Rhode Island Pride hosted by Haley Star and Kitty Litter. One of the guest callers was a representative from Bear Providence . He was asked to define a “bear.” Most of us think of bears as furry, cuddly gay men. But I was surprised by the gentleman’s answer. “Anyone can be a bear,” he said. “It’s a state of mind. It’s really just a guy that is laid back, relaxed and not all about drama.”

And it was in that moment that I realized that – despite having virtually no body hair – I was, in fact, a bear.

The thing about drama is that it takes a lot of energy to sustain, and it requires doing things, reacting or holding perspectives in a way that results in resistance. In other words, drama doesn’t happen to us; we create it through our participation. Our actions, reactions and thoughts are now – and always have been – our choices.

If your boyfriend cheats on you, for example, how you handle that situation is a choice. You might fight about it and seek revenge on the parties involved. Or you might realize the relationship isn’t for you and seek a more appropriate mate. Or you might put yourself in your partner’s shoes. You might use the infidelity as an opportunity to know your partner better, and to communicate and connect on a deeper level. It’s always a choice.

At the end of the day, I like making choices that support the relaxed, loving and affirming life that I envision.

And I guess that makes me a bear. So woof, woof.

P.S. Ten bonus points if you can tell me what a “salmon” is in the comments. I learned it last night.

At my local city I used to attend the bear evenings as well, and half the people there were not what you would consider bears. It was just a group of gay guys getting together to braai (barbeque), drink and talk about everything under the sun. It was good evenings.