Scoutmaster's Minute

First of all, I have to apologize for not posting a new Scoutmaster's Minute for such a long time. This past spring was a busy time indeed, with its own trials and tribulations.

Second, along those lines, it seems like lots of folks I've talked to have had a challenging off-season. For many of us, it began with the tragic death of Andy Johnson (Scoutcraft '97) this past December. The Bear Paw community becomes a second family, and it's never easy to lose one of our own. Our thoughts and prayers have been with the Johnson family these past few months. Andy will be missed...

Third, every staff member I've talked to (and that'd be all of them) is pumped about this coming summer. As are the Scouts and Adult Leaders. But with that "pumpitude" come a couple of reservations. As I've said in this space before, camp is changing in a number of different ways. This summer will find us in the middle of major transitions, and it's understandable that people will be anxious about what will happen next. Physical changes, program changes, staffing changes, etc. etc.

The only thing I can really offer is yet another literary quote (whaddya expect? I'm an English major, after all). This one's from T.S. Eliot:

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the very first time.

You can apply this any way you want to and it is still a wonderful embodiment of what Camp (and for that matter all of Scouting) is really about.

Webster's Dictionary offers the following for "explore": to seek, to search, to examine. At camp, this can take some very obvious and familiar forms: a first-year Scout seeking his "A" block merit badge session, a third- or fourth-year Scout searching for some old friends, a Scoutmaster examining the insides of his eyelids in the late afternoon.

Or you can apply it in broader, more philosophical terms: a brand-new Scout seeking fun and adventure. An older Scout searching for a sense of identity and acceptance. A Scoutmaster examining the progress and success of his Scouts.

But the ultimate application of this quote to Scouting is in the most personal terms: all of us, regardless of age, seek the challenge of Scouting. All of us are searching for something that forces us to reach outside of ourselves. And all of us constantly examine our own inner resources to reassure ourselves that we are once again up to the task.

And what's the end result of all of this effort? We seek, we search, we examine, and what do we find?

Ourselves. For the very first time. Ourselves, in a manner we never knew we had in us. Our very best selves, in ways we never thought possible. Ourselves, as we shine through the prism of Scouting.

This summer will bring many new experiences and challenges to all of us. It is my greatest hope that every one of us will be open to the experience and will rise to the challenge. It is my greatest hope that every Scout, every Leader, every Staff member will dig within himself, seek, search, examine, and ultimately find a better, stronger Self than he knew existed. If that happens just once -- just one time -- then all of our effort will have been worth it. Because that one will spread and grow...

Andy Johnson only worked for one summer on the Bear Paw Staff. His death was a tragedy. But his life -- in which he showed over 1000 Scouts how to seek, search, examine, and know -- was very well spent indeed. The seeds he planted within those Scouts will spread and grow -- as will yours.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: in Scouting, our only real measure of success is the future.

_______________________

...And in the news:

CONGRATULATIONS TO:--
(in no particular order) Tom, Bryan, Derek, Dustin, and Grady, who have all completed their work for Eagle Scout (sorry if I missed anyone, but there's a lot of you these days)! And... um... there are a couple more I could be putting in this section...--

Doug, for getting into Cornell Unversity!--

Volunteer Commissioners and long-standing friends of camp Bill Bennett, Charlie Erickson, and Alan Gemer on receiving the Silver Beaver!--

Tim Buchen on his promotion to Council Program Director (we promise to go easy on you this summer :-)--

Pat Scherer on his new position as Developmet Director with the Cascade Area Council in Oregon!--

A big collective "Awwww!" goes out to Keegan Trester, USMC, who's serving his tour of duty at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (we'll think of you in December, ya twerp).--

Pats on the back to the Webmasters, who continue in their efforts to improve this site. It's looking great, guys, and keep up the good work!--

Many thanks to all of those folks (too numerous to mention here) who have given their time and effort in the off-season to keep camp running. Without you guys, the whole thing would fall apart tomorrow.--

And to those who've moved on from camp but still stop by this space every so often, thank you -- your words of encouragement mean a lot!--