A Scoutmaster's Blog

My  last post about ten reasons to be a Scout leader has been a popular post to this blog. One of the replies I received about the post was from a member of the “Boy Scout/Cub Scout Adult Leaders” group on LinkedIn.

Rush Kester lives in the Washington D.C. area. He has been involved with Scouting for 23 years and has held several positions including cubmaster and assistant scoutmaster, so he has a little experience behind him. Here is what is wrote in regards to becoming a Scout Leader:

*Weekend campouts are a great change of pace from office work and a stress reliever from any occupation.
*Observing the other kids is a good reminder that the stuff your child does (that drive you nuts) is “normal.”
*Folks, both youth & adults, can disagree and still have fun together.
*It keeps you young and active
*Its a great way to bond with your children
*The “quality” time you spend with your children is multiplied by the many other youth who benefit from your leadership.
*Your children will turn out better for it.
*There are other’s to remind your children that “character counts” with an easy to remember 12 point program.
*It’s a great way to see & do things that you wouldn’t normally.
*It’s a lot cheaper than theme park vacations every year.
*It’s a good reminder that your community still cares about things that are important.

I especially like the “12 point program” reason. Thanks for the list Rush, and for giving me permission to reprint it here.

Four years ago I wrote a blog post that became one of the most read posts I have ever written. It was during the time when many packs and troops were conducting recruitment drives and school nights. The article listed some reasons on why a parent should get involved as a leader in Scouting.

Well, it is that time of year again, so here is that article for all the new readers to this blog, and to refresh the memories of those of you who have been with me for awhile.

Boys around the country will be joining Boy Scouting for the first time this month. And new parents will be asked to help their troop or pack by becoming an adult leader. There are many reasons not to be a leader, but let me give you ten reasons why you should become a Scouter. (These are not in any sort of order.)

1) Be a positive influence in a boy’s life. I think we can agree that there are many youth out there who can benefit from more of this in today’s world.
2) Learn new skills. You are never too old to learn a new skill. And to tell the truth, I don’t think a person can ever learn too many skills.
3) Teach boys new skills. There are few things in life that will make you feel more proud then when you watch a boy or young man using a skill that you have helped them to master.
4) Make new friends. Not only will you form friendships with the boys, but you will also form new friendships with other Scouters.
5) Help your community. You provide this service through your unit’s service projects and by helping boys grow up to be better adults.
6) Spend time in the Great Outdoors. You really do need to get out of that recycled-air, stressed-filled office environment at least once a month.
7) Have a good laugh. Working with Scout age boys can be fun and funny in many ways. Just remember to laugh with the boys, not at the boys.
8 ) Go traveling. There are thousands of places to go that provide a great Scout Outing. And do not forget the opportunities to go to a National Jamboree, Philmont, or the other high adventure bases.
9) Get some exercise. We could all use more exercise. Just try keeping up with a group of Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts.
10) Be a kid again! Scouting gives adults the chance to have just as much fun as the Scouts themselves. Make sure that you do!

Well, those are ten of my reasons for being an adult Scout Leader. I am sure that some of you reading this could add some more to the list. I invite you to leave a comment and add those reasons.

So, you are a Boy Scout, or a Boy Scout leader, who has an iPhone or an iPod Touch. Did you know that there are a few apps available just for you in the Apple iTunes App store? Yep, that’s right. There are now apps available for the Scouting geek in us. These apps range in price from $.99 to $9.99. Too bad they are not free.

The Boy Scout Handbook – $9.99 – Here is the complete version of the latest handbook for your favorite gadget. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-boy-scout-handbook/id327240445?mt=8

eBook, Boy Scout Handbook – $2.99 – Here is a copy of the first edition Boy Scout Handbook. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ebook-boy-scout-handbook/id338143841?mt=8

Merit Badges – $.99 – Would you like a copy of the requirements for each of the merit bdages available to you on your iPod? Here is your wish fulfilled. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/merit-badges/id358082137?mt=8

Guide To Safe Scouting – $2.99 – This one is for all the adult leaders out there that have an iPhone or Ipod Touch. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/guide-to-safe-scouting/id359071452?mt=8

ScoutTracker – $1.99 – Keep track of one Boy Scout’s requirements as he earns the various Boy Scout Ranks. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scouttracker/id347388213?mt=8

Unfortunately, I do not own am iPhone or iPod Touch, yet. I own an iPod Classic. I am waiting for the iPod Touch to come out with a camera. However, that has not stopped me from downloading some apps I wish to put on my iPod Touch. I already downloaded the Merit Badge app and will soon be downloading the Guide To Safe Scouting app. If you have already downloaded and used any of these apps leave a comment here about what you think about them.

The Century Of Values Tour comes to the Central Minnesota Council today. If you have not heard about this you really should check out their website at http://www.acenturyofvalues.org/

I have been waiting for months for the RV and mural to arrive in our council. The council is planning an open house this afternoon from 4:00-7:00, and I plan to go there once I get done with work. Various activities are planned and the Jamboree troops are holding a rib dinner fundraiser. It should be a good time.

I plan to bring my still and video cameras with me so keep out a look out in the near future for more information in the blog, and a podcast about the event.

The Northern Star Council has an interesting website called Scouting: Good For Life. In addition to some local videos and commercials it lists ten reasons that Scouting is good for you life and family. Here is their list:

1. Scouts are Leaders
   More than two thirds of Scouts say there have been real life situations were Scout experience has helped them be a better leader.
2. Scouts are Helpful
   Over two thirds of Scouts’ parents and Scouts themselves say their willingness to help other people since their involvement in Scouting has increased.
3. Scouts are Responsible
   Over two thirds of Scouts’ parents and Scouts themselves say their willingness to take on added responsibility has increased since their involvement in Scouting.
4. Scouts have Fun with a Purpose
   By enjoying the outdoors and gaining new experiences in the company of friends and mentors, Scouts build confidence and competence.
5. Scouts earn Better Grades
   Statistically; Scouts earn more “A’s” than their non-Scouting counterparts.
6. Scouts have Higher Levels of Education
   91% of men who were Scouts completed high school, compared with 87% of men who were never Scouts, and 35% versus 19% earned college degrees!
7. Scouts earn Higher Incomes
   Men who were Scouts five years or more earned average household incomes of $80,000, compared to $61,000 by men who have never been Scouts.
8. Scouts are Respectful
   80% of Scouts say that Scouting has taught them to treat others with respect.
9. Scouts Do Their Best
   78% of scouts say that Scouting has taught them to always give their best effort.
10. Scouts Live by the Principles of the Scout Oath and Law
    84% of scouts say the values they learned in Scouting continue to be very important to them today.

The site can be found at http://www.scoutinggoodforlife.org/

One of the joys of being a scoutmaster is watching the boys grow up and hopefully taking some of the things they learned in Scouting along with them on their life’s journey. It is great when former Boy Scouts stop by for a visit and we talk about the fun they had while they were a Scout, and how being a Scout has helped them in their adult life. Many of my former Scouts now have families of their own, are doing well with their careers, and a few have even found their way back to the Scouting program.

While a boy is in Scouting we try to instill in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. We try to get them to live by the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace guidelines when we are camping. We ask them, “What have you done for a good turn today?” “Are you prepared?”

As adult leaders we try to provide a program of learning, friendship, and fun. But a Boy Scout troop is only one influence on the young boy who is rapidly becoming a young man. His family and parents are the biggest influence on his life. Then add school, sports, and other extracurricular activities to the equation. Finally, add his friends. As we quickly realize, Scouting is one of many parts that help to shape his life.

I have noticed that with most boys some the values of Scouting stick with them. But not always. Once in a while I will hear of a former troop member who left the Scouting path and turned down the wrong trail. Some have fallen into alcohol or drug abuse. Some have gotten into trouble with the law through shoplifting, or worse. A few have become fathers before they were married and ready to settle down.

The public perception of Scouting sometimes seems to believe that once a boy becomes a Boy Scout he will be a near perfect young man who is always helping others through his kindness. As adult leaders of the program we understand that will not always be the case. We provide one influence in his life. Hopefully, that positive Scouting influence will be strong enough to overcome some of the negative influences a boy will happen across.

Do you have a story to share about how Scouting has helped your life or someone you know? Leave a comment and share it with us.

I remember very well when nine members of my Boy Scout troop participated in the 2001 National Jamboree. How could I not remember it? I was the Jamboree troop’s scoutmaster. One of my assistant scoutmasters was my Jamboree third assistant scoutmaster. One of my Boy Scouts was the Jamboree troop scribe. Another was a patrol leader. It was a great time, made greater by having many members of my home troop along to share it with.

After viewing the memorial I think I have the same question that many visitors to the statue have these days: Why is a nearly nude statue of a man part of the memorial? Of course, when the memorial was erected in 1964, the views of society were a lot different then they are these days. No matter, it is still a great memorial, and one I am sure will be visited by many of the Boy Scouts who will be attending the 2010 Jamboree.

Wow, I almost missed a couple of dates that I probably should not have forgotten. On May 18, 2006, I posted the first article to “A Scoutmaster’s Blog“. It is hard to believe that it has already been three years of sharing Scouting stories (430 posts) with you. There have been a lot of other Scouting related blogs that have come and gone during that time.

One April 4, 2007, I posted the first video to the “Melrose Scouting Productions Podcast“. That video introduced many Scouts, leaders, and families to a new character we know as Buttons, the radical Boy Scout. Sixty five videos have been posted to the podcast over the last two years.

I want to thank you all for reading this blog, watching the videos, and for listening to the new podcast, “Around The Scouting Campfire“. Your support, emails, and comments keep me fired up to continue these projects.

I would like to give special thanks to Cubmaster Chris of PTC Media for all the background help he has given me over the years, and to the Boy Scouts and family of Troop 68, both past and present, who have given me the material needed for these projects.