Children as audiences

I just gave a demonstration of dutch oven cooking for my ranch's adopted cubscout pack. The contents of my PSK led into a brief discussion of several topics that narrowed to signalling. I tooted my whistle, flashed my mirror and then demonstrated my bullroarer. I had the scouts enthralled, nudging each other,whispering,giggling and pointing. I ended with the warning that you had to have somebody looking or listening for the signals. More laughter,pointing and whispering. I finally looked around. The local vultures were circling in slow,lazy circles just above us and landing. 2 coyotes sat on the knoll behind me, ears cocked. 5 deer were frozen still behind the horse pens. I'd like to think it was the smell of cobbler and not my communication skills.

Hi Chris,

Dang! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thought I smelled something good cooking earlier tonight.

Reckon you got a grin out of working with the kids.

It can be enjoyable. I spent several summers as a YMCA summer counselor at camps where most of the kids had never spent more than a day or two away from home. Suddenly they were now away from home (many for the first time) with a bunch of other kids for 2 weeks. <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

One of the interesting things that I observed (it repeated each summer) is that you would have a cabin full of kids, out of 10 there would be maybe 2 or 3 that were shining examples of the perfect camper, 1 that was a royal PITA at all times and could be counted on to be at ground zero of anything dubious and the rest would be your basic good kids.

At the end of the 2 week session, all the kids would be clamoring about looking forward to going home, run over and give you a handshake turn around to leave, then run back and give you a hug. Care to guess which one was crying his eyes out and bawling up a storm because after all 14 days of giving you grief and saying how much this camp ranked totally stupid and he couldn't wait for it to be over, now had to be pried off with three staff members and held in the bus until it was up to speed back home? Each summer, damn near each of the 5 two week sessions, it would repeat with minor variations. It was a sad commentary on their home lives. Every now and again, I wonder how they're faring in life. Heck, I even think about my counselors, alas several are now camping "up stairs".

Kudos to you for taking the time to entertain the wild life as <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> well as the deer, coyotes and vultures. LOL

Regards,
Comanche7

Is yours a traditional Maori bullroarer?

[bullroarer]
what's that ??????????? <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Alain

Alain, If you've seen the movie CROCODILE DUNDEE, you've seen and heard one. It is a flat piece of wood, usually elliptical suspended on a string. When you spin one it begins to tumble and make a buzzing sound. They are a very ancient and worldwide object. They are most often associated with the Aussie native peoples, but have been noted in many others. The ancient Druids of Europe were known to swing them to bring rain. They make a expedient signal in open areas. The Aussie 'Abos' used them to warn women away from restricted male ceremonies. My use has had the opposite effect, having met several charming ladies curious about them <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the explanation.

I have seen that movie and remember perfectly how Crocodile Dundee used it to send "messages" to his buddies....

And your last comment makes me wonder where could I find one ..... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Alain

What an audience. Here in CT the sight of the deer, coyotes, and (turkey) vultures are more likely to scare the city folk into going back home! It must have been some show if the coyotes were sitting. I've only seen them running the other way.

Chris