The Trinity Tidings staff wanted to find out the inside scoop on the Cadet program we have here. That precipitated an inquiry about whether it would be okay to poke our nose into one of their meetings and ask a few questions. Greg Kookier, Trinity’s head counselor, graciously granted permission. So on a beautiful Wednesday night recently, we observed the opening exercises for each meeting – Cadets standing with their cadres and reciting the Cadet motto, verse, pledge, and code. The pledge of allegiance to the American flag followed. When that was complete, the newsletter staff was allowed to take a few minutes and ask some questions...
The Cadets were asked which big activity was their favorite. Come to find out they have quite a few to choose from – Father/Son canoe trip, Chuckwagon, Snow Derby, Cadet-a-rama, Derby car races, Camporee, and International (which happens every other year). Ethan Scholma told me it was definitely International. He was able to attend this past summer and has written an article about it for us. Look for it close to this feature. Austin Bouma thought that Chuckwagon was the winner. And Caleb Heyboer voted for the canoe trip.
When the boys were asked how the rest of the night goes after the opening exercise were complete, it sounds like the rest of the time is Bible study and badge work. After snack they do the closing exercises. Every so often, it seems there is enough time to play some games after snack before the end of the night. It sounded like the games varied but there was a definite winner with something about Frankenstein and a sheet. The newsletter staff claims no more knowledge than that. If you are interested, I am sure any Cadet would happy to fill you in.
Since badge work seems to be a large part of Cadet nights, the boys were asked about the favorite badge to work on. Responses came fast and furious, but it seems the biggies are archery, model rockets, and axmanship. The boys were also asked to think about last week’s Bible lesson and tell what was the one big idea they learned from the lesson. Matthew Keller told about the story of Job and not trusting in earthly things, but putting trust in the God of life instead.
Trinity congregation, the newsletter staff would like to introduce you to the Cadet counselors – who, by the way, have a combined 100 years of Cadeting counselor experience. That is an impressive number. It is the newsletter staff’s opinion that our Cadets are in very good hands. The men that serve our boys are Greg Kooiker, Pete Ludwig, Bob Walt, Dan Scholma, Kevin Kiekover, Andy Bouma, Troy Boeskool, Jim DeWitte, Adam Yowtz, Wes Wiersema, Jim McAfee, and Brian Wright (Jr. Cadets). Thank you, gentleman, for your service.
This year the Cadet theme is Prepare Yourself. The verse is II Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the truth.” What an excellent verse for young Christian men to learn. What a challenge for mature Christian men to teach. In answering what life lesson he would like his Cadets to learn, Dan Scholma told us he prays that the boys would learn to do what he teaches. Wes Wiersema told us he would like his boys to learn accountability and responsibility. When asked what the greatest blessing of Cadeting is, Adam Yowtz loves working with the kids. Pete Ludwig says he would like the boys to see God in everything, everywhere. And of course, we could not resist asking the counselors about the favorite badge to teach, wondering if it would be very much different from the badges the boys loved to earn. Andy Bouma loves to teach archery (not a big surprise there) and Troy Boeskool likes fire-building. I guess when you think about it, it is a good thing these guys have 100 years of experience when they are in the business of teaching 9-14 year old boys to wield axes, build fires, and shoot arrows. Your courage, gentlemen, is exceptional.
The newsletter staff would like to thank the cadets and counselors for allowing us to peek in a little and see what goes on each night of Cadets. Trinity congregation, rest easy. Our young men are in very good hands. They are receiving some excellent mentoring from their counselors. Our Cadet program is blessed. Thank you, Cadets, for your energy. We pray that you grow strong in the Lord and walk closely with Him each and every day of your lives. Go with God, Cadets and counselors, go with God.