Scoutmaster's Minute

Scoutmaster's Minute - February 2007

When I accepted the camp director position for Bear Paw, I was both excited and worried. Bear Paw had just celebrated its 60th anniversary and here I was stepping into this top position after an eleven-year hiatus from camp staff and Scouting. It was a humbling realization that I was going to be responsible for carrying on this proud tradition its success.

As I began to develop my philosophy for camp and staff, I realized how much Scouting has impacted my life. I started out in Tiger Cubs, continued into Cub Scouts, and then onto Boy Scouts. I earned my Eagle, two palms, and had the opportunity to work for two Scout Camps- one being the High Adventure National Sea Base in Florida. I gained a reinforcement of the values my parents taught me. I also developed character and leadership qualities that have helped me be a good son, husband and worker. It wasn’t surprising to me that I felt a pull back to Scouting. I received so much from my Scouting experiences that it was only natural to return and give back.

I attended a Bay-Lakes Council Camp Committee meeting for the first time and met more than fifty volunteers who had been involved in all aspects of Scouting for the Council. Their hard work and dedication resulted in the Bay-Lakes Council being rated as “Quality Council” for 2006 and this again humbled me. Volunteers are the backbone of Scouting and without their commitment we wouldn’t have all the quality Scout Camps with which we are currently blessed.

Camp staffers are the “rock stars” of Scouting. They are the visible representations of the Boy Scouts of America. For nine weeks, they get to spend a summer teaching merit badges, singing songs, and having fun, even though there is hard work involved in staff positions. I ask for all of us (myself included) to remember the Duty we have to Scouting. We owe it to the millions of Scouts, Leaders, and Volunteers who have strived to provide us with one of the worlds most recognized and respected youth organizations to continue to work hard and enrich the lives of the Scouts who look to us as the role-model of what it means to be a Scout and how to live by the Scout Oath and Law. These are the rewards of service as a staff member and the challenge of our Duty to Scouting.