The Campfire Chronicles

Two shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child will be on their way from Camp Linus to a boy and girl (age 5-8) who live somewhere in the world where they don't have as much as we do. The Camp Linus scouts brainstormed a list of items that they thought kids might need and like, and that could fit in a shoebox. Each scout will choose one item to bring in, or $1 if a gift is not possible. All items must be new.

Mrs. Camp (Miss Camp's mom) will wrap and pack the shoeboxes for us, and Mrs. Feather (our school nurse) will facilitate their being sent. It is a lot of fun, and a special feeling, to participate in this small effort to make a difference in the world. Please have your gift in by Tuesday, Nov. 19th.

Megan...

• is kind to others.
• has good manners and is patient.
• waits her turn to speak, and raises her hand before speaking.
• has a good attitude.
• has a sense of humor.
• always tries her best.
• keeps her desk neat.
• brings her take-home folder and homework planner back each day.

Are you ready for an amazing coincidence? It was Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 2:40 p.m. President Bush was at a Red Cross event at an elementary school in Washington , D.C. As President Bush had requested of all the children in America, the students had each brought in one dollar to help the children in Afghanistan. Surrounded by students holding up their dollar bills, President Bush says, "We should have a merit badge for this!" On that very morning, Miss Camp had introduced the Citizenship Merit Badge to Camp Linus. This year marks the second year for this special merit badge.

Unlike the other merit badges being earned by the scouts at Camp Linus, the Citizenship Merit Badge is earned by completing 10 separate items:

1. Make a picture of the American flag

2. Make a picture card for servicemen and women overseas.

3. Draw a picture of American Pride (ideas of class included: White House, Statue of Liberty, Bald Eagle, Dollar Bill with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Mount Rushmore, Yankee Stadium, border of stars and stripes)

4. Write the Pledge of Allegiance and illustrate.

5. Poem about FREEDOM

6. Write a letter to President Bush.

7. Sing one of America's patriotic songs.

8. Perform one act of community service (i.e. rake leaves for a neighbor, pick up trash by side of road, make cookies for a neighbor - must be okayed and supervised by a parent).

9. Wear Red, White, and Blue on Tuesday, November 19th, 2002.

10. Bring in a gift, or $1, for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

When the merit badges have been earned, the letters to President Bush, and photocopies of the completed merit badges, will be sent to President Bush at the White House. The scouts at Camp Linus are proud to be Americans, and believe in the freedom for which America stands.

Ian is our Scout of the Week because he demonstrates good leadership skills. By his own behavior, choices, and attitude, he sets a great example for others:

• Attitude & Work Ethic: Ian has a cheerful and positive attitude in all that he does. He is willing to try every activity, even when it is challenging. If he needs help, he asks!

• Responsibility: As both a morning announcer, and as a part of Safety Patrol, Ian has demonstrated his high level of responsibility.

• Respect: Ian treats everyone with respect and kindness.

• Trust: People trust Ian because he shows us his sense of responsibilitiy, positive attitude, willingness to try new things, and respect for others.

A “Citizen of the Month” is selected from each class and honored at a school-wide assembly. Camp Linus had 2 Citizens of the Month for November. Students who are selected have demonstrated the characteristics of good citizenship. Criteria include:

• A positive attitude
• Using good manners
• Being thoughtful and helpful
• Showing Responsibility
• Putting forth best effort
• Showing concern for others
• Displaying good sportsmanship

Do you like to read about wizards, dragons, elves, dwarves, goblins, magical lands, and great adventures? This genre is called fantasy, and The Hobbit is one of the most famous books of this genre ever written!

At Camp Linus, the scouts hear a few pages of The Hobbit every day. It is an opportunity to practice "attentive listening." Attentive listening is the ability to repeat back something that was heard. For example, the scouts heard what hobbits look like, and they can probably still tell you! See if your scout can answer these questions:

1. Does a hobbit wear shoes? Why or why not?
2. Does a hobbit dress in green & yellow, or in orange & black?
3. Is a hobbit short or tall?
4. How good is a hobbit's hearing?
5. What kind of magic can a hobbit do?
6. A hobbit has curly hair. What color is it?

Picture this scene: Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit), the 13 dwarves, and Gandalph (the wizard) are playing their instruments and singing in Bilbo's house. As the dwarves keep singing, the sun goes down. The candles and fire go out. Bilbo looks out his window and sees a flame shoot up from the woods beyond the river. His imagination wonders if it is a dragon breathing fire. He looks back inside and all he sees in the darkness are the glowing eyes of the dwarves. Spooked, he gets up to go hide and hears a voice say, "Where are you going?" (Very exciting…and suspenseful!)

More juicy vocabulary words from The Hobbit include:

Apologetically Conspirator Audacious Shuddering Trembling Ingenious Plundering dragon

Song Sleuthing:
We are having fun figuring out what the songs (poems) of the dwarves mean! We use "CHORAL READING" to help us. That is when we all read the poem out loud at the same time.