I was about 8 the first time that I experienced the "Bear Hunt". It was always so magical for me. It felt so great in my heart, that it was my Dad that was up there leading the room full of scouts in the group participation part of the Pack Meeting.
If you have never done the Bear Hunt I am not sure I can fully explain but the leader starts off telling a story about going on a bear hunt. He takes the audience through the tall grass, the river, the forest, etc. They all participate by swishing through the tall grass, splashing as they cross the river, climb a tree, etc. Then they eventually find a bear and in unison they need to go back through all the stuff they just went through to get out of there, real fast. Trying to get away from the bear. My Dad is 6'7" and very impressive on the stage while leading the scouts and their parents on a Bear Hunt. He was very good at it. Everyone in the room played along. I might have not been focused all during the Pack Meeting but he had my attention at this time.
It had been years since I had the joy of experiencing this. I had 3 sons and they joined Scouts. I became one of the adults that helped plan the pack meetings. At one point I asked the others on the board if we could do a bear hunt. I wanted one of the Dads to do it so I could sit in the audience and watch. I wanted so bad to feel that feeling again. I guess I thought it would bring back memories.
It was kind of a let down for me. It wasn't the same. It wasn't magical. It wasn't my Dad.
Great story. Having know your Dad, I can just see it.
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