Eager Beaver

Chapter Nine - Big Boy Beaver

Finally the beavers had decided to do some actual scouting. It's not like I didn't like making crafts and play-acting, I did - but it's not real scouting. Real scouting is tying knots, starting fires, hiking and most importantly camping! When I heard about an annual camping trip I was desperate to go. I was giddy with excitement! Taylor even told me I had to calm down.

I should have known it wasn't going to be real camping when we arrived at the log cabin in the middle of the woods. A tent wasn't even on the list of things to bring. Dad dropped me off, and after a brief conversation with Taylor promised he would see me soon. I just nodded excitedly, waving him goodbye. I'd done plenty of cub scout camps in the past after all, and I was well past getting home sick. There I stood in a dorm room filled with bunk beds. It looked like I was one of the first to arrive. I spied a corner bed and tossed my bag onto the top, thinking I could at least be on the top bunk if I wasn't gonna get to sleep in a tent.

I counted on my fingers, quickly realizing there weren't enough beds. This trip was supposed to be a 'linking event' where we would do activities with the Cub Scouts, but where were they going to sleep? I didn't actually know any Cub Scouts other than Zach, but he had told me about a couple of them. Honestly, I was pretty worried about meeting them. Three of them were supposed to be my age - my real age. I was going to be traipsing around decked out in my dorky hat and vest with some of my future classmates. I just hoped they wouldn't remember.

Looking around, I saw that some other Beavers had trickled in and were dropping off their stuff. It was just Bobcats so far. Laurie had told me his mom was bringing him, Zach, Alex and Charlie all together, so I guess I could expect them to all arrive at once. I climbed up to the bunk and opened my bag. I had attached Wubbie to one of the zipper pulls, if only to prove to Laurie that I really did like his birthday gift. I had actually brought it with me to a few things - the little wolf stuffie a regular companion hanging from my belt loop. Wubbie had come with us tree planting, paper airplane racing, even to that silly puppet show Taylor had taken us to at the town library. A few of the Beavers in the other lodge had similar Bobcat stuffies hooked on their belts, but the accessory still made me look even littler than my Beaver uniform already suggested. Still, I carried him religiously - just to keep Laurie happy.

My boy scouts bag was probably too big for this little adventure, but I would use any excuse to use it. I had my change of clothes, a blanket, and multiple flashlights - both a hand held one and a head lamp. Beside all that stuff was my 'summer homework'. To be perfectly honest I had no intention of bringing it at all, but I was so behind that mom had insisted I take the reading assignment. I took out the book and crammed it into my cargo shorts pocket. It stuck out a little, but the uncomfortable bulk of it would at least help me remember to actually read it.

All ready, I made my way to the main room where we were all supposed to gather. There were a few Cub Scouts and Beavers sitting at mess hall tables chatting amongst themselves. I hovered for a moment, feeling a little nervous without the Kindies, when I saw a familiar blond haired boy skip in through the door.

"Cooper!" Laurie shouted and bounded toward me to give me a hug. I returned it without thinking.

"Hey Laurie." I said and then lowered my voice. "I picked the bunk in the corner, you should take the bottom."

Laurie nodded his agreement, ushering for me to follow him back with Alex and Charlie into the dorm room. Zach was wearing his standard Cub Scout uniform, but had opted for a red neckerchief today. He tossed his own bag into a pile with the other Cub scouts.

Taylor waited for everyone to finally gather back in the main room before he addressed us. "Hello everyone, it's great to see you all so excited for camp this year. You all know me. I'm the Beaver leader Malak and beside me is our Cub Scout leader Akela." Taylor announced. A stocky woman with black hair tied into a ponytail stood next to him, holding a large box full of clipboards. "Beavers, this is the Cub's Kim over from scouts - her name is Kianna." Taylor went on. She was a girl perhaps a year or two older than me with black braided hair, a green scout shirt, and a red neckerchief. She gave a broad smile over toward where I was standing with the Kindies. Zach made a nervous peep, averting his eyes. "I also want you to know about Nate, the Cub Pack's Sixer." Taylor waited for a boy wearing the same outfit as Zach to stand up. He had black hair combed neatly and was chewing gum, eyes averted uncaringly to the ceiling. He crossed his arms, looking rather bored. "Lastly, someone who everyone already knows is Zach our colonies' Keeo" There was a beat of silence before Taylor cast an expectant look over at the cub scout "Zach?"