Clare's Page of This and That

Aug. 6, 2000

Go Y.S.U.!!!

Football National Champs 4 times in the 1990's!

Be sure to check out the links to my Cub Scout Songs, Scout Resources, Tourette Syndrome Resources and other Cool Sites . Also, please take some time to sign my Guest Book and let me know what you think of my pages and songs. Or, drop me a line in my mailbox!
There are lots of songs and links to check out, so put your feet up, relax, and prepare to spend some time with me!

I am tickled and proud to announce that on March 18, 2000, I was awarded The District Award Of Merit for the Whispering Pines District of the Greater Western Reserve Council. I want to thank everyone who over the years supported and aided me in my Scouting efforts!

I am a married mother of two boys. Because of my sons, I have become very active in Boy Scouts, and have worked as a den leader, pack committee person, district Activities and Civic Service committee, day and resident camp counselor, Cub Scout Roundtable staff, Cub Scout Adult Basic Leader training staff, and Pow-Wow staff. In November, I attended National Camp School in preparation for being Program Director for our local Cub Scout Day Camp.

I am also,currently the District Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner for Whispering Pines.

The next ROUNDTABLE in the Whispering Pines District will be on March 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Each unit should try to send at least one representative to both the Cub and Boy Scout Roundtables (also held at Westminster Presbyterian). This month's Cub Theme is Bugs and Things with the Webelos Sportsman/Family Member Activity pin being featured in split sessions.

The BSA council I am a part of is the Greater Western Reserve Council, which includes all or part of 6 counties in northeast Ohio. My district within the GWRC is Whispering Pines, encompassing all of Mahoning county, and the city and township of Hubbard. There is a story behind our district's name. Several years ago, we merged two districts, and sought to come up with a new name that would not be a continuation of the name of either of the exsisting names. It was decided that the best way to do this was to hold a contest among the youth of our units, asking them to suggest our new name. One Bear Cub Scout told his mom that he wanted to choose a name that was fitting, and asked if she would take him to our local Scout Reservation, Camp Stambaugh, to reflect on what his choice should be. While walking along the piney paths, he commented that it sounded like the trees were whispering to him, the idea intrigued him. When he submitted his suggestion, he wrote a note explaining why he thought the concept of pine trees whispering to scouts as they enjoyed nature was appropriate. His heartfelt discription of how he felt walking in our camp was the deciding factor in our selecting the name, Whispering Pines.

My oldest son Shawn reached the rank of Life Scout, and is now a Jr. Scoutmaster.He is a member of the Neatoka Chapter of the Wapasuti Lodge of the Order Of The Arrow, and a member of it's Ceremonies Team. He is serving as the Vice-chief For Native American heritage of his OA chapter. He is a member of Troop 46 in Boardman, Ohio. He has worked as youth staff at our day and weekend Cub camps.

My younger son, Eric is a member of Troop 55 in Youngstown. He has a neurological disorder called Tourettes Syndrome which at times has made finding a suitable home for him in scouting difficult. He loves scouting, but often requires a level of supervision and understanding due to his disorders that can be frustrating. One of his biggest problems is not being able finish what he starts, resulting in his not advancing thru the ranks or completing many of the merit badges he starts. Still, he enjoys the overall program, and while he may never earn his Eagle, he is benefiting from being a Scout.

Even thought I no longer have a Cub aged boy of my own, I really enjoy working with the younger scouts. I get immense satisfaction in seeing a boy's face light up when he realizes that he was able to do something or come up with an idea, he didn't think he was capable of. It is the "Do You Best" aspect of Cub Scouting that I find the most important, as it gives each boy a chance to shine and grow at his own rate, and not at someone else's preconceived notion. Cub Scouting can be an important step in building a boy's self-esteem, as children who didn't think they could achieve, learn that they can.

I am known as the "Song Lady" in my district, as I have no shame in getting up and making a fool of myself as a song leader, and I write lyrics to songs for all occasions. If you go to the links below, you can check out some of my songs and other songs that may be of interest to Scouters. Initially thought, I will be concentrating mostly my own lyrics, as they are not available to you anywhere else. I will be adding a lot more songs from all over as I get my pages polished.

I have joined the Cub Scout Webring, and I hope you will visit the sites there in addition to the other Scouting links I have provided below.

I am also interested in Tourette Syndrome, due to a family history of this and it's related disorders. I have included a link to the National Tourette Syndrome Association for those who would like to know more about this neurological disorder. Several of my other links will also take you to pages that will help you gain an incite into Tourette's, and the many related disorders that go with it. In addition to learning more about TS, there is a great variety of other interesting topics to explore in these sites.