The Last Phoenix

When Tom had covered the new uniform shirts he said to those present, "Spread the word, All Scouts and Cub Scouts are to wear their uniforms to dinner.  Let the Phoenix boys know to wear a T-shirt, but don't tell them why.  The older boys too, since we got their shirts done too.  I need to go call Oliver and let him know we'll need the bus tonight."

Everyone went off to fulfill their assignment.  Oliver was really excited about the boys joining Scouts.  He had been in Scouts himself, for a couple years and had been very upset when his father moved and he couldn't get back in a Troop.  He told Tom that he would be there in plenty of time.

When Andy entered in his 'Class A' Uniform, complete with his Merit Badge Sash, a hush fell over the room.  The Phoenix boys stared at him in amazement.  Then Todd, Adam, Monty, Neal, Brian and Jimmy came in together.  They all had their uniforms and sashes on too, except they only had six merit badges each, on their sashes where as Andy had twenty seven.  Next were Mitch, Travis and Moe.  Their uniforms had the dark blue loops on their epaulets (shoulder loops) on the shoulders for WEBELOS whereas the older boys' had the red, for Boy Scouts.  David was the last, in his dark blue Cub Scout shirt.

The Scouts split up amongst the Squads.  Andy had talked to the Squad leaders so they knew there would be extra boys at their tables, but he hadn't told them why.  After everyone was seated, Andy went up to the microphone that was still set up from the night before.  "Hi guys, as you have probably already noticed, you have a guest or two at your table.  We want to discuss Scouting with you, and then after dinner, Mr. Richards has something he wants to discuss.  All of us in uniform are Scouts and we will be telling you what we do and what kind of fun we have.  So enjoy the meal and listen to what the guys have to say.  Thanks."  Andy turned off the mic and joined Squad Two.

As the boys ate their dinner, the Scouts told them all about the things they got to do.  Most of the boys were pretty excited and were asking how they could join.  At Squad Two's table, Jason, Glenn and Aaron sat with sad expressions, as Andy told them about the troop and camping.  When he noticed their expressions, he asked, "Okay, I can see that there is a problem, come on, Talk to me. I'm always willing to listen and I'll help if I can."

Aaron said quietly, "I wish I could do that stuff."

"Yeah, me too," Glenn said.

Andy looked surprised, "Why can't you?"

Aaron said, "Duh!  I got AIDS."

Andy came right back with, "So?  I only have one foot, and Adam is blind, then there's Neal ... He thought Patty was a boy."

Glenn then said, "But we had to do gay stuff.  Aren't the Scouts anti-gay?"

Andy sighed, "Look, I don't understand all the political stuff, but the sex stuff just doesn't belong in Scouts, gay or straight, you don't do sex stuff at scouts.  As long as you aren't trying to do stuff at meetings or campouts and aren't trying jump some guy's bone, nobody cares, at least in our Troop.  I think it all comes down to the keeping yourself morally straight.  As long as you do that, there isn't a problem."

Jason smiled, "This is like so KEWL!"

"We want all you guys to join us and have fun and learn all this neat stuff.  Okay, give us a try and see what you think.  Later this month, we are doing a lock-in at the church and having a movie marathon and video game competition.  You can stay up all night, if you want.  We just have to have everything cleaned up and ready for Church by 8:00." Andy smiled at them.

Dinner was done and the waiters were clearing off the tables.  Tom Richards stood up and asked for everyone's attention.  When everyone was quiet he began, "Boys,  I asked the Scouts to come to dinner tonight in uniform, because I have a surprise for you.  There is a Cub Scout Pack meeting tonight and All the boys between age six and ten are invited.  Is anybody interested?"

There was a loud shout of "YES!"

"Good.  Now, the guys younger than six we have something special planned for you tonight, while the others are at Scouts, and you older boys can work here with the remaining scouts on some of the basic stuff you need to know to join.  Now if you will come forward when your names are called, I have a little present for you."

Andy and the other Boy Scouts came up front to help Tom.  They called the boys' names and as they came up, Andy gave the each of the boys their shirt, when that was put on, Neal put the neckerchief around his neck, and the slide on it.  The others showed each one the Cub Scout Sign, Salute and Handshake and finally, Tom met them, gave them a handshake and presented them with their Scout book.

As is always the case, the first time a boy puts on his very own Scout Uniform, he stands a bit taller and seems to grow, right before your eyes and he has a huge proud grin that just won't go away.  It is a very special moment in a boy's life and one he will probably always remember.  Tom had tried to make this special for each of the boys, and judging by the grinning faces he had managed it pretty well.

Finally, the last boy had his uniform.  Tom had them gather and pose for a group picture.  'Philip' did the honors, and then the Cubs were ready to head off to the meeting.  As promised, Oliver Jones was there waiting in the bus.  Tom watched the grinning Howie joining the group getting their coats on to go out to the bus.  He walked over to Eddie, "You'd better go with him.  He needs his Dad tonight, and so do the rest of these guys.  You are going to be Dad to all these guys, you know.  Are you MAN enough for the job?"

Eddie looked at Tom, he wiped a tear from his eye, "You know, Tiger, If you weren't right, I'd whup yer arse for questioning my manhood."

Tom grinned and couldn't resist, "I was asking you, not that little thing."  He jumped back out of reach and laughed.  Then he went and got his and Eddie's coats.  "It is going to be fun having my old Uncle around." Tom handed Eddie his coat, then gave him a big hug.  "Welcome Home.  I love you, you know."

Soon all the boys that were going were on the bus and the adults, Lee, Tom and Eddie, sat in front. The adults were all so very proud of their boys. 

Eddie asked, "Did you get to be a Scout growing up, Tiger."

"Just for a couple years, then Dad moved and then they never seemed to have the time.  Mom and Dad were always real busy, so I just did stuff with guys in the neighborhood.  I hated it when they all went off to camp and were having fun, while I was stuck at home," Tom explained, wistfully.

Lee added, "I was a Cub Scout, then a Boy Scout for a year or so.  Then my grandfather had his stroke and I dropped out so I could help more at home.  I'm glad I helped, but I did miss the Scouts.  I'm really glad my boys are in the program and we have a really good Troop and Pack."

Eddie grinned, "I think I'm as excited as the boys.  Howie looked so proud in his uniform. I wish I had, had a camera, he was so cute."

Tom grinned, "Don't worry, Eddie, 'Philip' will have some printed out for you."

"Now that's something we really need to talk about.  Uncle Philip is now somehow in the computer system at Haven?  That's kind of hard to get a handle on." Eddie said.

"Yeah, I was pretty shocked when I found out.  He didn't say anything to anybody until I inadvertently asked a question out loud as I was sitting at the terminal, and he just answered.  Seems he had set it up that way so unauthorized people couldn't get access to him.  Silly man, he's better at defending himself than a division of Marines.  No insult intended, but he is quite amazing.  He had the AI technology set up and then he incorporated his memories and personality on it.  He claims he is nicer than the original, but I can't say because I hardly ever got to see him.  I can only remember seeing him at my grandparents' funeral and I was real little then."

Before Eddie could respond, the bus pulled into the church parking lot.  Andy got off first, and had the boys follow him.  Once inside the Church Hall, the Den leaders were there to meet them.  When they saw the number of boys, they were glad Tom had called and given them the warning.  Soon the boys were sorted as to what Den they were in, and off they went.  The Tiger Cub Leader came over to the other adults.

"Hi, I'm Annie Schmidt, the Tiger leader.  We may have a problem.  You see the whole program for the Tigers depends on the boy and a parent..."

Tom thought, and then replied, "I'm sorry Annie, I know this might be a bit strange, but how about if we get older boys to act as their 'parent' and work with them?"

"You know, I think that might work.  Do you think Council will allow it?"

"It's easier to ask for and receive forgiveness, than permission." Mrs. Alexander the Cubmaster said, as she came up to them.  "Hi, Tom.  If any of the little guys have older brothers that would be best.  The program is very family orientated."

"Hi Donna.  Yeah, I think we can match them up pretty well."  Tom replied.  That settled, the adults drifted off and Tom went with Donna to give her the stack of application forms and also to write her a check.

Eddie went in search of Howie.  He found him with a bunch of other Cub Scouts with light blue neckerchiefs.  There seemed to be way too many boys for the two adults who were in the room.  He introduced himself simply as Howie's Dad, and before he knew it he was helping with the activity that was planed for the meeting.  After forty five minutes, all the boys pitched in and cleaned up the areas they were using and they all returned to the big meeting hall.

The boys got out some folding chairs and sat by patrols.  When everyone was seated, the Cubmaster asked everyone to rise.  Two boys walked forward from the back of the room, carrying the American flag and the blue and yellow Cub Scout flag.  They carefully placed then in holders in front of the room.  Eddie noticed that they had them on the wrong sides, but they were pretty young.  Then the boy who had carried the American Flag asked everyone join him in the Pledge of Allegiance, then the other boy asked for the Cub Scouts to recite the Cub Scout Oath then the Law Of The Pack (these are in the Author's notes at the end).  The two boys sighed grinned and took their seats.

Mrs. Alexander then stood and faced the crowd.  "Well, tonight we had a night like never before.  We sure saw the Pack Grow!"  All the boys cheered.  "We have a few points of business; First, don't forget we have Scout Sunday the second Sunday in February.  Also, the WEBELOS2 boys have a lock in with the Scouts the night before, Let your parents know, so one of them can stay over with you.  New guys, we will make arrangements.  Third, we will be having our Blue and Gold dinner at the end of March, so work hard on getting your rank earned so you can show off for everybody.  Next week, we have our monthly awards meeting so Leaders, be sure to get everything to me by Tuesday night, because I'm going to HQ first thing Wednesday morning.  I will ask the den leaders to come about twenty minutes early, I think we will have some boys ready to earn their Bobcat."  The Phoenix boys all cheered.  "Now, I believe the WEBELOS1 have a skit for us tonight."

The boys Came forward and did their skit.  It got a 'Watermelon Cheer' and everyone was laughing.  Then all the chairs were neatly put back in the carts.  When everything was neat again, the boys formed a big circle.  The 'old' Cubs showed the new guys what to do.  All the adults were told to join too.  Mrs. Alexander said, "Good meeting tonight, Boys.  Remember, next week is an awards night, so remember to bring some cookies or drink, I'll provide paper plates, napkins and cups."  She paused and bowed her head and said the Scout benediction, "May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with you 'til we meet again."  The circle dissolved and boys were headed for the doors.

Mrs. Alexander signaled to Tom and Eddie to come talk.  "That is one huge bunch of boys you brought tonight.  We are going to really need those older boys to help.  I'm going to ask Mike Little and see if we can get some more Den Chiefs, and I think a couple of the Dens are going to have to split.  Eddie, I saw you working with those boys, and I would like for you to seriously consider being a Den Leader for the new Bears.  They have so much to catch up on, and you look like just the man to do the job."

Eddie was taken by surprise.  "Well, ah..."

Donna cut him off, "Just work with your son and the others some this week, and let me know.  Delores, the other Den Leader was the only one to gripe about more boys, so of course she got the most.  I have to split that Den and I think just making all the new guys one Den makes the most sense.  We'll talk next week.  Tom, I know you are more active with the Troop and I was wondering if maybe you could hang in there with the second Year WEBELOS and help get them ready to bridge at the Blue and Gold.  They will really need to hustle to get it done."

Tom Grinned and patted Eddie on the back, "Sure thing, Donna, I'll give it a try.  Welcome to Scouting, Eddie."

When Andy had herded everybody back onto the bus, and they started the trip home, Eddie said to Tom, "I don't remember agreeing to be a leader."

Lee patted him on the back, "It's okay, you didn't say 'NO!' quick enough.  Besides, it's just one hour a week."

Tom and Lee laughed hysterically at that, and Eddie just smiled to humor them.

* Back to when the boys were leaving for Cub Scouts *

Martha called for the little guys to come with her.  They went down to the Library.  Linda was already there with Lou in his wheelchair.  There were seven places at the table and a set of crayons at each.  For the next hour and a half, the boys drew and talked and had a wonderful time.  Linda watched in amazement as Lou got to know the other boys.  His language skills were developing at an amazing speed.  He was four and he was talking like a two year old.  Most of his words were becoming pretty understandable and he was saying all six of the other boys names clearly by the time the Cub Scouts returned. 

Martha helped them put their crayons back in the box.  The boys looked kind of sad to give them back.  Martha smiled at them, "Those are yours and so are the Drawing Pads.  Just please don't draw on the walls."  Seven Grinning faces worshiped her, and then disappeared.

Linda got Lou's things together and that was when she saw what he had been working on.  It was a portrait of Mitch, Travis, Max and Ginger.  She was amazed, it was almost like a photo, or as close to that as you could get with the 24 box of crayons on newsprint.  The boys were smiling and petting the dogs.  Linda could even tell which boy was which without seeing which dog he was with.  As she looked, she realized that behind Travis and Max there was a white horse, and large hawk behind Mitch and Ginger.  She wondered if Mitch and Travis had been telling Lou any of the Mercedes Lackey stories.

The older boys came to greet the returning Cubs.  Tom asked to talk with the Boy Scouts.  "Boys, the Cubs need to work on their Bobcat Requirements.  I kind of volunteered you for the job this week."

Eddie stepped in, "It looks like I'm going to be an adult leader, so when the guys are ready, have them bring their books to me and I'll do the sign off for them.  It will also give me a chance to get to know the little guys better."

Neal grinned and said, "Great!  Next thing you know, we will all be Den Chiefs."

Tom laughed and said, "I think Mr. Little said you had to be a First Class for that.  Maybe by summer."

All the boys laughed and punched Neal playfully.  He just grinned at his Dad.

When bedtime approached, Tom said to Eddie, "I have had a suite set up for you and the boys."

"Thanks, Tiger.  I think we're good for tonight, but we will move in this weekend.  I think they need the closeness for a night or two more.  I know I sure do."

"Yeah, I remember each of mine needing that contact and security right at first.  So many adults don't understand just how important that contact is for kids.  Well, Good night then, see you at breakfast."

Eddie gave Tom a hug and they each headed to their rooms.  Howie and Arty were in their room when Eddie got there.  "Daddy!" they exclaimed and gave him a big hug. 

Howie was busy telling Arty what they did at the meeting and that he already had something signed off in his book.  Eddie was amazed at how excited Howie was.  He had a lot to learn about being a good Dad.  He was almost glad the Corps had screwed him over because now he had a chance to really be with his boys.  Well tomorrow, he was meeting with Fred and deciding on the plan of action.  Suddenly, something clicked in his mind.  Fred said Philip was checking the Marine records.  He thought it was a person but... "Boys, how do I get to talk to 'Philip'?"

Arty giggled, "He's everywhere here, so just talk to him."

Eddie looked around, and feeling very weird, said, "Ah, 'Philip'?"

'Yes Edward?' came from the desktop computer on the boys' desk and the old curmudgeon's face filled the screen.

"Have you been checking the Corps' records?" Eddie asked.

'Yes, Eddie, as a matter of fact, and I must say you have had quite a career.  I remember how proud I was when you were top in you division at boot camp.' the face on the screen smiled.

"You knew?  You never told them?"

'I knew that you were much better off where you were. If I had told them, they might have screwed things up for you.  I followed you faithfully until the accident and the boys disappeared, then the records in the Corps were being tampered with.  Imagine what I thought when Tom came home with the very boys I had been searching for.  Then you suddenly reappeared in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, using your real name,' 'Philip' scowled.

Howie pulled on Eddie's hand, "C'mon, Daddy, You can talk to Old 'Philip' all day tomorrow, it's bed time.  Night 'Philip'!"

'Good night little one.  Sleep well with your Daddy.'  The screen went dark.

Eddie went into the bathroom and got ready for bed; he came out and put his neatly folded clothes on a chair and climbed into bed.  Howie climbed over Arty and Eddie so it was a Daddy sandwich.  "I love you two, so much." Eddie said.

"Love you, too," both boys said.

Howie was soon sound asleep.  Eddie was lying there enjoying the closeness with his sons.  He thought Arty had drifted off also, until a soft voice asked, "Is our name White or Richards?"

Eddie sighed, "Your birth certificate says White.  Now we have some legal stuff coming up, and that is a question you are going to have to answer.  Which do you want?"

"I want to be just like my Dad." Arty whispered.

Eddie tightened his arm around his oldest son.  "Thank you son, but it's my hope that you can be better."

Arty whispered back, "But you're a HERO."

"No son, I'm a Marine.  I'm beginning to see that I made some of the same mistakes my old man made.  Well, from now on, you and your brother are my main focus and you two boys mean more to me than anything else in the world.  I'm not going away anymore."

* Back once again to when the Cub Scouts left.  *

As the Bus left, the older boys headed up to their rooms.  They all looked at the shirts they were given.  In small groups, they talked about what they thought Scouts would be like.  Glenn and Aaron were worried and went looking for Andy in the other section.  They found Adam and Todd sitting together talking and holding hands.

Glenn said, "Hi guys, Do you know where Andy is?"

Todd replied, "Yeah, he's a Den chief, so he's at the Cub Scout meeting with the younger boys."

"Oh, we had some Scout questions we wanted to ask him."

Adam sat up straighter and brushed his white hair to the side. "No problem, we're both Scouts, maybe we can answer your questions. If not, we can all ask Andy when he gets back."

Glenn began, "Well, we don't even know how everybody feels about us, around here, and then more new guys, and if they find out ... well I've seen the stories, about the Scouts hating, us."

Todd got up and gave Glenn a big hug.  "Has anybody here said anything  mean or bad to you?  Any of the guys on your floor, or any of the rest of us?  Anybody at school?  I know there was a lot of talk today about STD's and HIV, but I never heard anybody say anything bad about you; just the opposite."

Adam said, "Yeah, I heard more than once how brave different guys thought you were, both of you, for getting up and telling what happened to you.  I think Juan is the only one who's really freaked."

"Juan?  He's in our squad.  What is going on with him?" Aaron wanted to know.

Todd gave Adam a fake slap, "Now look what a fine mess you got us into.�"  Todd and Adam sat back down and offered seats for Glenn and Aaron.  "Juan, was there for several years.  Those older bullies did it all to him too.  He is really scared that he has HIV.  I heard Daddy Doc call Aunt Lisa and ask her to come over and talk to him.  She hasn't come by yet."

"Who is your Aunt Lisa?" Glenn asked.

"Oh, she's a head doctor, real good too, and she can help you see things the right way.  She helped me deal with the bully thing, and being gay." Adam explained.

"Whoa!  I knew you two were good friends, and Todd helps you get around, but GAY!!" Glenn responded.

"Kewl!" Aaron said.

"I get around just fine by myself.  Especially now that I have the contact lenses Dr. Deforest got me.  Todd isn't leading me, silly, we're holding hands.  We're Boyfriends." Adam clarified.

Glenn was speechless, his mouth was moving but nothing came out.

Aaron asked, "Do you do that like even at Scouts?"

Todd smiled, "No, that would be inappropriate.  Just like it would be for Aunt Linda and Uncle Lee to hold hands and kiss at a meeting.  That kind of thing just doesn't belong at Scouts.  Dad tells us no PDA's, that's Public Displays of Affection."

"I thought you couldn't be a Scout if you were Gay, but Andy said we could.  We're kind of confused," Aaron said.

Todd said, "Just go to three or four meetings and see what it's like.  I think you will really enjoy the camping.  We have a whole bunch of fun."

"Okay, we'll give it a try," Glenn said.  "I think we need to go find Juan, now."

Glenn and Aaron returned to their Squad area.  Juan's door was closed and they could hear him sobbing.  They knocked and got no response.  Glenn tried the door and it opened.  Slowly they entered and Juan was curled into a tight ball on his bed and crying.  Glenn sat on the bed and gently put his hand on Juan's shoulder.

Without looking, Juan said, "Get the fuck away from me!  I probably got AIDS and you could die touching me!"

Glenn and Aaron exchanged looks.  "Juan?  It's me, Glenn.  I'm safe, okay?  You don't have AIDS, you're not sick.  If you have HIV, like me, it isn't the end of the world.  Yeah, we got to be careful, and the doc says the drugs will make me feel bad for awhile, but I should be able to be pretty normal as long as my body responds to the drugs."

Juan had listened but didn't unwind from his ball.  "They did things to me, horrible things that really hurt.  I couldn't stop them.  I am weak and I should die."

"STOP!" Aaron exploded.  "You do not deserve to die.  You couldn't stop them?  Duh, of course you couldn't stop them, six of them, all bigger and stronger, no one on earth could have stopped them!  They were the evil ones, if anybody should die, it's them, not you!"

Glenn was looking at Aaron wide eyed and mouth open in shock.  He had never seen his friend so mad.

Juan had turned to face Aaron; he was still in a defensive position but not as tight as before.  "But, they did things, ... I liked."

Aaron rolled his eyes, "Sure they did.  They play with your dick and it gets hard.  That's how dicks work.  You have no control over that, and if they play with it long enough, you shoot.  That is just how things work and it feels good.  You didn't want it, they forced you and that is rape.  You didn't watch them do that to poor Glenn, they literally picked him up and stuck it in my butt.  It hurt both of us, but he couldn't help it."  Now Aaron was crying.

It was at this point that a tall lady stepped into the room.  "Hi there guys.  I'm Doctor Lisa Billings, most of the guys here call me Aunt Lisa, or Dr. Lisa.  Dr. Turnman asked me to come over and talk to you."  She looked down at Juan, "You want me to come back or for them to leave?"

Juan shook his head no and grabbed Glenn's hand. 

"Okay, Juan, I want you to know that I can not tell anyone anything you say to me, unless you say it's okay.  Do you understand?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

Dr. Lisa clutched at her heart and rolled her eyes, "Oh, jeez, he ma'ammed me."

That got a giggle from all three boys.  For the next hour, the three talked about what had happened and what could happen, and they decided to have a group session next week with all the older boys and individual sessions for the three of them and maybe others that felt the need.

After Dr. Lisa left, the three boys just talked about nothing in particular.  When Aaron yawned, Glenn was going to say they had to go, but something in Juan's expression stopped him.  "Hey Juan, Why don't you leave a note for Texas and come to our room for a sleepover."

"You guys wouldn't mind?" Juan asked.

"Not unless you got gas.  We have a double bed in our room." Aaron replied.

"Okay, no farts, got it."

The three boys went next door and were soon snuggled in the bed.  Juan was spooned behind Glenn and Aaron was behind him.  Juan felt safe and loved for the first time in years; the terrors didn't come that night as he drifted into sleep.

Author's notes:

The Cub Scout Oath (or Promise) for those who don't know is:

"I, ___(The boy states his own name)___, promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack."

The Law of the Pack is:

"The Cub Scout follows Akela.  The Cub Scout helps the pack go.  The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.  The Cub Scout gives goodwill."

Akela is the wise wolf leader from Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' and the lore of Cub Scouting is based on this story

Now look what a fine mess you got us into.� Laurel and Hardy

Wow, parts of this chapter were pretty hard to write and others were just fun.  I hope you enjoyed reading it.  Tomorrow, Eddie goes to see Fred and maybe Fred, too.  The USMC has quite a problem, and it will be interesting to see just how it gets handled.  I wonder if 'Philip' is going to get involved, no I don't, he's way too nosy to NOT get involved. 

Poor Juan.  He's just plain old scared.  He's having to face something no one should have to, especially a child.  I hope he gets lots of hugs from the boys tonight and is better in the morning.  Sleep well guys.

          Str8mayb

Editor's notes: Well, once again, it seems we have a really powerful chapter here. I am glad that Dr. Lisa was able to help the boys. I think that Aaron was pretty upset at those bullies. It's probably a good thing that he was able to let off a little steam over it. He has been holding all that frustration inside for a long time, and it has been eating away at him. Maybe it is at least part of the reason that he hasn't been able to fight off the virus any better than he has.  Let's hope that he will start to heal his mind and maybe start feeling better about himself. I think he was actually feeling somewhat the way that Juan was feeling about himself, and once he saw how Juan was feeling and acting, it might have given him a wake up call to realize that none of that was his fault either. 

Remember If you are actively having unprotected sex with someone, you are, in fact, having sex with whomever that person had sex with. Of course the only completely safe thing to do; is do it yourself, but there are some things that are safer than others. Always use a condom if you are having sex with someone that you are not one hundred percent sure is clean. That is probably not possible, but hey you can try. Just play it as safe as you can, because we want you to be around for a long time. 
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Fort Chief Editor's Notes:
Thank you again Str8mayb for such a wonderful and heartwarming story. You shoot straight from the hip and don't pull your punches in getting vital information out to those who need it most. But above all there is love and everyone involved makes sure that those who need it get it.

Getting all of the boys involved in scouting will be a big help in their adjustment to their new living conditions. Not only will they be learning skills that will help them later in life; they will also learn some social skills and meet new people in a structured and protective environment.

TSL