Diamond Willow Dreams

This bridge is dedicated to the two most important men I knew while growing up. John Baumann (my father) and Roger Braff (my Scoutmaster).

"Webelo", the symbolic word for: "We Be Loyal Scouts". Webelos, the last chapter of a Cub Scout's adventure, the final steps towards Boy Scouts. For the two years of Webelos, a young boy learns the ways of Scouting. He prepares for the day he will no longer be considered a young boy, but be called a Boy Scout.

Throughout Cub Scouts a boy's parents were with him. In Webelos they began to step back. Now as he prepares to cross over the bridge towards tomorrow he will walk alone. His parents will be with him but they can not cross the bridge. Only a Webelo who has met the requirements for the Arrow of Light, and deemed worthy, can walk this bridge. On the other side of the bridge a Scoutmaster and perhaps an Eagle Scout waits. They are ready to show the boy the way as he begins his own journey towards tomorrow.

The spirit of Scouting runs deep in my family. My father has been awarded the Silver Scout and my mother is one of three ladies honored with: "The Silver Fawn", the original ladies version of the Silver Beaver. My three brothers and I are all proud to be called Eagle Scouts, the highest rank a scout can earn. My own son, two of our nephews and a cousin's son are now Eagles as well. The firelight of Scouting's values are reflected in the lives of our family.

Earlier this year my brother Patrick, Cub Master for Pack 125 in Britt/Virginia MN, asked me to design a Cross Over Bridge to reflect these values. Something to show the symbolism of a new cross over ceremony adapted from previously ceremonies.

Several years of Boy Scout memories, Merit Badges earned and memories shared all went into this bridge. We wanted the boys to experience a true "Wow" moment. We think you will agree.

In the spirit of scouting this bridge is available for your pack, troop or civic group. Each bridge is unique and can be tailored to the needs of your group.

I would be happy to make this bridge for your pack or troop and incorporate any specific design into it that you may want.

THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND THE BRIDGE:

The bridge is made to show the symbolic transition from a young boy towards becoming a man.

Each Cub Scout rank is wood burned in order onto a step, with the Gold and Silver Elective arrows showing the direction.

As the Scout crosses over the bridge the prints and tracks get respectively larger. The final two steps, which are from Webelos show a small boy's foot prints and finally a young man's. These signify the growth of a boy towards being a man.

The four corner posts of the bridge represent the Four Winds of Conscious, the first part of the ceremony. The Arrow of light is routered into the side of the bridge, its seven Arrow of Light spikes representing the Seven Great Virtues of Cub Scouting.

Finally the posts of the bridge are joined with rope symbolizing the connection of Cub Scouts to Boys Scouts and Family to their scout.

The boys crossing the bridge will feel the warmth of the campfires that they will soon share. They will feel the texture of the rope that ties yesterday and tomorrow. Yes the boys will feel a "wow" moment.

It will be a moment of mystery, a day of symbolism that will still unfold its meaning for years to come.

May your boys walk in a true scout like manner.

Mike Baumann, Eagle Scout