Pomp and Circumstance

May always seems to be a flurry of activity.  Between weddings, and graduations and the occasional Venturing activity the month quickly fades into June.   We don’t know about you but is it hard to sit through graduations ceremonies without thinking of Scouting songs?  It is for us!  One particular song automatically starts rolling through the brain…My Turtle Swims Sideways.

Inevitably as soon as Pomp and Circumstance makes its way into the audience this little ditty comes to mind:

My turtle swims sideways

Your turtle swims upside down

My turtle swims sideways

Your turtle is dead!

 In our little crew we have had quite the graduation season.  We have one crew member graduating from every level of education.  We cannot be more proud of all everyone has accomplished and cannot wait to see what their futures have in store.

 

Graduating from Chillicothe Elementary Center is our dear Megan.  Megan has been hanging out with the crew for the past 7-8 months as an unofficial member of the crew.  In order to be a full-fledged youth in any Venture Crew you must be either 14 years old or 13 and completed 8^th grade.  Well, congratulations, Megan!  You’ve successfully conquered junior high and are heading off to high school!

Leaving Illinois Valley Central High School as a well-rounded senior is our enthusiastic Tanner.  Tanner has quite the scouting career starting as far back as a Cub Scout, moving into Boy Scouts, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and joining Crew 91.    Kudos to you, Tanner and best of luck as you attend Illinois Central College this fall!

Not to be excluded from the excitement, Arielle graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Counseling.   Though too old to be a youth of Crew 91, Arielle made the transition to Associate Crew Advisor as soon as she was eligible.  Congratulations on a job well done for successfully navigating through the challenges of college life!  Best wishes as you hit the pavement!

So the next time you’re sitting through graduation and cannot wait for Pomp and Circumstance to quit repeating itself, just sing a Crew 91 favorite: My Turtle Swims Sidesways.

Have you ever gone fishing

The Boy Scout world is full if music.  What you consider music and really is music could be two separate ideas entirely.  However, singing off key or yelling at the top of your lungs is a common occurrence in scouting land.

Our crew is no different.  We chant, sing in rounds, perform little skits and break into song all the time.  You will be hard pressed to find an activity where some kind of music does not make an appearance.

When we went to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2011 a whole bunch of us listened to country music.  A handful did not appreciate the finer qualities of country music and would bust out in:

“Barges are there treasures in your hold, do you fight with pirates big and bold.  Barges I would like to sail with you, I would like to sail the ocean blue.”

You sing Barges in a round and it was a sure fire way to stop the singing of country music – everyone would jump right in and finish the song  To this day Barges is the perfect way to change the song or subject.  Just as a side note, the anti-country music fellows has been converted!

If we’re not singing a round you might find us singing an action song.  There is nothing better than a little enthusiasm and jumping and ‘do as I do’ songs to get your crew ready for a night of excitement.  They’re also great for a lull in a program or for when you need to break up a training weekend.  One of our favorites is quick and simple:

“Have you ever gone fishing on a bright summer day with all the little fishies swimming in the bay?  With their hands in their pockets and their pockets in their pants all the little fishies do the hootchie kootchie dance.’

Or maybe you might prefer Gray Squirrel for a quick and easy action song. Many times you will find Gray Squirrel used when a member of a troop or crew forgets to bring a water bottle, their merit badge sash or the lunch.  The poor unsuspecting soul has to sing Gray Squirrel with all the motions and if everyone is nice they might join in the merriment:

                              “Gray squirrel, gray squirrel shake your bushy tail. Gray Squirrel, gray squirrel shake your bushy tail.  Crinkle up your little nose, stick a nut between your toes. Gray squirrel, gray squirrel shake your bushy tail.”

So matter the type of song, we’re game.  We may look silly but we don’t really mind.  It brings a smile to our faces and to those around us who think us crazy, we’ll let you in our secret…we are. 🙂

Nothin’ to do But Sing

The few things that are guaranteed to be a part of a Venturing weekend include food, craziness, more food, goofiness and loads of singing.  We might learn a lesson or two while we’re at it but it’s always jam-packed fun.   A weekend would not be complete without a few Scout Songs.

What are some of your favorite camp songs?  Care to share?