Friends, and I truly mean "Friends,"
We all know that relationships are complicated, especially when personalities clash and feelings are hurt. Many like me are close to a phenomenon called “scouting” because we see the benefit of its teaching of and living according to certain core beliefs and values. To me, the principles of scouting is one of the closest things to an owners manual for raising children, and we all know somebody or family struggling to raise children in whatever circumstances that may exist. You know what they say: "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence", but what we seldom see is the amount of sweat, blood and sometimes tears that go into making the grass green. It is truly a wonder to witness a scout unit begin to blossom with committed leadership and youth who grow up within the framework of the scout oath and law. It is a program that is practically unparalleled in the modern world today.
Parents, leaders and volunteers largely set the example for how to get along with one another, learn and go about living with purpose. If we give up and walk away whenever there is conflict, then what do we teach our children? If we put up an unflinching front whenever there is doubt about what direction we should go and we cannot find common ground, what do we say about ourselves as parents and leaders? I am at the point in my life where passing on the legacy of scouting to future volunteers and leaders has become a mission.
In the beginning of my odyssey as a scout leader, I was not prepared to step up and let the cards fall where may because my youngest son’s den leader moved away. It meant that I had to seek the means to lead by answering a call to serve. Believe me; I suffered my share of growing pains that were caused by the pettiness of adults who dwelt on being stubborn and or controlling and my own sense of unease of becoming a leader. My intention at the outset was to lay as firm a foundation as possible for the boys in my den so that one day they would fly on their own and leave the nest prepared for bigger and better challenges and adventures.
Now that my sons have moved on to the Boy Scout program, I remain a source of reference and support for the Cub Scout pack in which they were a part of for over five years. I have learned through numerous training courses offered through scouting that feedback is the greatest leadership gift and that trust is an essential element in any organization. My advice now is to take this gift and run with it or ignore it and let the future perish. Believe me, negativity is contagious and spreads like a disease and is ripe in society today. This is why I write to you today; to encourage, support and defend a way of life our forefathers knew was the key to freedom and prosperity. We need only learn to live by the principles and values that scouting provides millions of youth, adults and communities every day.
