Cornfest 2009

I hope all of you who were able to attend the Cornfest campout had as much fun as I did! We had good weather, swimming, a lot of pumpkin carving, ropes course, frisbee golf, good food, and an awesome Aims Walk!

This is my 7th year in the Indian Guide/Princess Program, but only the first time that I did Aims Walk without having to read The Aims from a piece of paper and trying to get the kids to memorize them as we went. I'm very proud that all the kids learned The Aims - GREAT JOB!!! It made for a more meaningful, and fun, Aims Walk. We will be going over them at the meetings from now on to make sure they retain them!

It was also nice to have some potential new members join us! Only their parents know for sure, but it looked to me like Caleb, Adria, and Sofia all had a wonderful time! We look forward to having them join us in all of our future meetings and campouts!

We also need to congratulate Rachel Hadley - she won the 6th grade and higher essay competition, and a cool $100! I suspect you will find Rachel and her mom at the local mall this week!

And how about that bonfire after The Aims Walk? Chief Bald Eagle was responsible for igniting that fire - from Pyro Dud to Pyro Stud in only 5 months since Anastasia!

And last but not least, thanks to our Hunters - great job as always gathering the food!

Next up - Doe Lake - start working on your Pinewood Cars!

Yatahey

Chief Bald Eagle

In Search of Leaves

It was early Saturday morning. I got up, showered, and dressed, all the while thinking about my "dilemma". You see, I LOVE to watch college football! From the time the last of the bowl and championship games are played in early January, I practically count the days until college football season begins again in September. Not only do I like to watch the games, but I also like to watch the College Gameday show on ESPN that starts at 10 AM. Anything that I need to do on Saturdays this time of year is most always planned around the schedule of whatever games I want to watch. As you might guess, all this adoration of college football can, if I let it, consume just about all day every Saturday. NOTHING gets in the way of college football!

So what was my dilemma? My daughter had a leaf collection project for school due in less than a week. Since I helped our son with the same project when he was in fifth grade, I somehow became the defacto expert in our house for leaf collection. There was no avoiding it - I was going to have to take part of my precious Saturday to go visit some parks with my daughter to collect leaves - how could I do this and not miss any of the football I wanted to watch, I kept thinking? I soon came to the realization that I would have to accept the inevitable - my daughter needed my help so I was going to miss some football today...bummer!

Off we went, stopping at two parks where we were able to find quite a few leaves, taking pictures of the trees and then carefully putting each in an envelope and numbering it so we could later match it to the picture. Then we stopped for some lunch. It was about this time that I had a revelation - I was missing some of my beloved college football - and I was not minding it. Why? Because I was spending some good one on one time with someone who I love far more than any football game - my pride, my joy, my princess - my daughter! And, I was enjoying every minute of it!

I share this story because, like many other parents, I too often get caught up in what I want and my own schedule, rather than what is most important. I often hear of parents giving their kids really extravagant gifts or experiences in the belief that those things will make their kids happy. That's all well and good, but I think what our kids really need, and want, is our uninterrupted, focused attention and time devoted to them. Whether it's a simple school project, or throwing the ball in the yard, the time spent with our kids will impact them - and us parents - for a lifetime.

That's what Indian Guides/Princesses is all about when you get right down to it. Our campouts are a really great opportunity to get away from the normal hectic daily routine and just spend some uninterrupted time with our kids, and of course, the other families in our tribe. As you consider our upcoming camping season, I hope you will attend as many campouts as possible; when you are able to camp, I hope you will make every effort to camp for the full weekend, not just dash in for part of a day if possible. I actually put all the campouts on my calendar so as I or my office assistants schedule my time, little or nothing gets scheduled for "camping Fridays". Simply put, I believe the campouts are a really unique opportunity for fun with our kids - they are worth making time for.

Remember, you have 18 summers to positively impact your kids....make time to "Search for Leaves".....

The Legend of the Tomahawk: The Chief's Circle of Honor

As the season began to change from summer to fall, Chief Strong Eagle pondered how he might honor those who followed the Aims, and thus promote lasting peace among the tribes. Since the time for the Cornfest was approaching, Chief Strong Eagle decided that this would also be a good time honor those who lived according to the The Aims.

One evening, the great Chief gathered the Elders of the Kiowa tribe around a great fire to tell them of his plan. "Elders of The Mighty Kiowa" Chief Strong Eagle said, "the air is cooler, and the leaves are changing color - the time of the Cornfest is near! Soon, we will journey to meet the other tribes, and together in friendship, give thanks to The Great Spirit for the bounty of the land. Since we gather with the other tribes in friendship and peace, it is only fitting that we take time at this special occasion to honor those who live according to The Aims. For many moons, I have shared the circle around our fire with those from other tribes who have come to learn The Aims.

From this Cornfest forward, each year we will gather around our fire to honor those who have learned the aims. Just as the fire is at the center of our circle, so too are The Aims at the center of how we live with our families, friends, and the land. And, just as the circle around our fire continues without end, so too does the truth of The Aims continue without end."

A few weeks later, the time of the Cornfest had arrived. Chief Strong Eagle and The Mighty Kiowa journeyed to the site of the Cornfest. Once there, Chief Strong Eagle told the other Chiefs who had gathered for the Cornfest of his intent to honor those from all tribes who lived by the Aims. On the evening of the great Cornfest bonfire, Chief Strong Eagle stood on a large boulder to address all of the people. "The Mighty Kiowa are honored to join with the many tribes gathered here in giving thanks to The Great Spirit for the bounty of the land. Many of you have come to our circle to learn our ways, and have been told of The Aims, handed down through many generations of The Mighty Kiowa. The path of life is wide and uncertain, but the path of The Aims is straight and narrow, and leads to peace and harmony with family, friends, and the land. So then, let anyone who would follow the path of The Aims be tested! Those who complete the test will have a place in the Chief's Circle of Honor. Let it be known to all tribes, that those who sit in the Chief's Circle of Honor are good, and can be trusted to seek only the best for their people!"

With that, Chief Strong Eagle took 7 of his young chiefs, each with a burning torch in hand, set out to the bonfire. Every 100 paces, he instructed one of the chiefs to remain at the spot, and moved onto the next until he had reached the site of the bonfire alone. As the people began to make their way to the bonfire, they were stopped by each chief, and were told they must recite an Aim in order to pass to the next chief. Those who successfully completed The Aims Walk were allowed to sit with Chief Strong Eagle in a special place at the bonfire. Again, Chief Strong Eagle stood and addressed the tribes. "From this day forward, let this place at the Cornfest bonfire be known as the Chief's Circle of Honor. Those who are in this circle are to be honored and respected, for they have shown their commitment to their people by completing The Aims Walk. On each of these people, I have painted my sign on their face to honor them on this occasion."

Young Kiowa Warriors! Just as Chief Strong Eagle honored those knew The Aims many moons ago, so too will I Chief Bald Eagle, honor those in our tribe who can successfully recite all seven of The Aims. Prepare for the Cornfest and The Aims walk Kiowa Warriors! If you are successful, you will receive the sign of Chief Bald Eagle painted on your face, and a great reward!