When the written test is administered at the end of a class, well, it’s like the icing on a cake. I don’t have to do it, but I do it ‘cause it’s the right thing to do. Doing a test and all. Besides that, it’s a fun time, especially when I ask questions about things I never even covered. Questions like “What is a mukluk?” “What kind of bird did this feather in my cowboy hat come from?” And “Why did I improvise this item?” I hold up a small can with a string attached and wiggle it around. Stuff like that. During the class students also have opportunities to earn points from various survival challenges. At the end the points are totaled - written test plus challenge points - to determine the class top scorer who receives not only bragging rights but also a gift of some sorts. Not too long ago at the end of a class the top scorer was two people (working as one team) - an active-duty Army man and his teenaged son. They were absolutely thrilled to have won and the other students applauded them with gusto. After the gear was gathered, the students followed me to the cabin where on the porch they were awarded Certificates of Completion, complete with a congratulatory handshake. “Now what about them top scorers? I queried. “Let me run into the cabin and fetch their gift.” Quickly I ducked in the door and came out holding a propane fuel cylinder. “Here ya go!” I said as I handed the item to the Sgt. First Class. He and his boy smiled and thanked me. It got a good laugh from all. Then I ducked back in the cabin and came out carrying a Coleman two-burner stove still sealed in its store-bought box. “Here! Ya might need this too.” There were cheers, the crowd went crazy. I heard nothing as I watched the Army fella tear up. We walked together to the vehicles, happy and fulfilled. Goodbyes were said and off they went, driving away down our lane. All except two. The Army man and his son. The man approached and shook (crushed) my hand, hugged me and said, “This class was good.” Then, damn if he didn’t start to cry. “Being in the Army, deploying, I don’t get to see my son as much as I’d like. And here this weekend, me and my boy, we won! We won! Together!” Hell, about this time I was tearing up too. I love what I do and the magic that happens.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2024
Categories |