We get a New Leader...

 

          "That would be great!"  The voice on the other side of the phone was more enthusiastic than I had hoped or expected.  John, Cole's dad, had been volunteered through the parent grapevine to come to our next meeting and discuss bridges and structure strength.  He is a deck builder by trade, and our chosen problem is the 150-gram bridge that holds lots of weight. 

          The day arrived, and the group had already piled into the kitchen and was playing with something supposed to be a snack at high volume when John knocked. 

          "My dad!" Cole announced, and the door flung open as John expertly swung in with large wooden props in tow.  This is going to be something, I thought, as he parked his things and attempted to gather their attention.  His props were carefully created, his manner gentle and patient. 

          "This," he said, "is a truss.  Does anyone know what it's good for?"  The arc had been carefully glued and clamped in several layers.  He had prepared well for his young audience.

 

 

          As we always do, ambition out-measured reality, and John was asked to return the next week.  Almost too quickly, I thought, he agreed.  And to our delight, the next week, there he was, knocking at the door as the team cleaned up popcorn and paper cups from all corners of the room.

          Commanding silence in this group is nearly impossible, and there are many weeks I resort to headache medicine in anticipation of their arrival.  So, when John claimed he needed something out of his truck, I couldn't help but be a little suspicious.

          "Do I need to take your keys?  Send a child as a chaperone?  The meeting isn't over yet..."  I teased.  After pledging honor his return, he went out to the truck to root around.  Back he came, miter box and saw in hand.  As the children each took a turn under his guidance, a co-manager emerged.  Hooray!