A Need to Call in the Cavalry!

Last week was cub scout camp. I am very proud of my scout as he qualified for the Junior Shooter Patch through NSSF. (You have to shoot a certain number of points on the bulls eye to get this patch, so it is pretty special). The night of qualification was a windy one! This meant that the boys had to compete with the wind for a good aim. All of the boys in my den that attended the camp qualified! I am so proud of the boys!

C is the one with the yellow goggles on. Do you think he was distracted by the photo?

The week was long full of many exciting events... Archery, crafts, swimming (yes even more swimming) and the planetarium. The nights were packed with events for the boys!!!

By the end, it was time to call in the Cavalry... Literally!  The boys were given the opportunity to witness the CAV charge and to tour the horse barn. If you are wondering what a CAV Charge is ...  It is the sound of cannons complete with pistols blaring and the senior officers start all of this with sabers held high and cry, "CHARGE!" It is really something to see. Here are some pictures, but if you can ever witness this it is pure joy!

These are REAL active duty soldiers that are trained like and wear the original cavalry uniforms. They make their own boots, belts, tops, saddles, horse shoes, bullets, etc.



























The cub scouts learned that their BB gun skills, leathering skills and sounding like wild Indians could actually come in handy when they get older. ;) What do you think?

This is how you load, cock and eventually shoot a rifle.

And this is how you make a Western Saddle. The picture is of a raw hide mold the Cavalry Scouts use to fashion their own Western Saddle. The hole in the middle is to let the horse release heat during the warmer weather. In cooler weather CAV scouts could lay extra blankets over the hole to keep the heat in.  

Doesn't M just look like a natural with that saddle? I really think he should try out and be the new Commander of this unit!!  (He's actually leaning on the saddle because of a foot injury he obtained during a road march on Friday morning.)

This is how you make a boot. The boot has not been soled yet. ( ha ha ha get it soled/ sold... Okay...)

Can anyone tell me why CAV horses do not wear copper horse shoes???? If you answered because they make sparks you are CORRECT! Horses wearing copper shoes make sparks where are not conducive when you are carrying gun powder.

These soldiers are not in traditional Cavalry uniforms because they are "trying out" to be part of the 1st Team. They are demonstrating how to make bullets.... Lovely, right? LOL

This is B's horse. Or that is what B told us. LOL... I can't remember the horse's name, but he nuzzled on B for a little bit. Oops... She is one of the CAV horses at the Barn.

Hey! Fancy meeting you here!!! This is one of M's soldiers from a previous unit. They served together in OIF 2009-2010. Thank you, T, for taking on a Cavalry of cub scouts!!! You all did an AWESOME job!!!