The Road Not Taken
One of my favorite poets, Robert Frost penned the lines “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference” in his poem The Road Not Taken. I have often thought about the many decisions we face in life and how often we are torn between two options. It is after all natural that we want the advantages of both options and struggle with which option to take. Scouting provides so many opportunities and at many moments a Scout has to make a choice. It is incumbent upon all of us, parents, leaders, fellow Scouts to help our younger Scouts to make good decisions.
Joining Scouting is itself a choice, and can have life changing consequences. Parents appropriately guide that choice for Cub Scouts, encouraging their involvement and supporting their participation. Parents can help the families of their Scout’s friends also consider Scouting. Leaders select the program elements for each Den and Pack meeting, making sure that the Scout advances within the guidelines for each rank. As the Scout grows with the program, he or she increasingly makes his or her own choices. What kind of derby car do I want to build? Am I ready for an outing in a tent? Do I want to continue in Scouting and cross over to a troop? Which troop is right for me? Do I continue with my friends or go to a different troop? Parents can help guide their youth in the process of making this decision, but I would certainly encourage a Scout to stick with Scouting at least for a time. Cub Scouting prepares a person for the troop experience, but the two experiences are vastly different.
The troop experience, and I might add the sea Scout experience opens opportunities for growth, skill building, and ultimately independence of thought. Scouting is not a seasonal activity like other extra-curricular activities, but continues year ‘round and becomes both a challenging and rewarding experience. In a way, the values, life lessons, leadership skills and experiences available through Scouting become a part of the person engaged in Scouting for life. Life-long friendships form, self confidence builds, independence of thought and action develop, and respect for others, community, the outdoors, and the importance of being a part of community can all result from Scouting. Strength of character also forms, particularly as a Scout learns to be proud of the decision to continue in Scouting in the midst of friends and classmates who not only did not pursue the opportunity but who may question why a Scout continues with the program. It is interesting that this dynamic does not seem to occur when a youth pursues a sport or art form or other extra-curricular activity through school years, or may decide to drop out. Perhaps it is because Scouting issues a higher calling to integrity, fair play, respect for all and that increasingly rare sense of patriotism. Perhaps the best part of Scouting is that it leaves the experience to the Scout’s own choosing. We are here and will be here for the Scout on his or her terms. Being active in sports or theatre or robotics or whatever is possible, but when time permits, the pack and troop will be waiting, ready to welcome and include the Scout.
When I was young, my parents thought of visiting a park and enjoying nature as a drive through the woods observing trees and plants and animals through the car windows. I chose to join Scouting to get out of the car and into nature. It led me to a group of friends, adult role models and mentors, a keen interest in nature that informed my decision to pursue a degree in Biology in college, a life of volunteer service and a rich life as a member of a community. That was one of those roads less taken for me. In this season of opportunity, I strongly encourage every family to consider encouraging Arrow of Light Scouts to cross over to a troop. I encourage all leadership to provide an enriching program of activities, adventures and community building at all levels of Scouting. Most of all, I hope that the Scout finds new friends, builds self-confidence, learns to share the skills mastered with younger Scouts, and takes full advantage of what Scouting has to offer. The unit experience is rich and full, but Scouting also offers high adventure bases that include hiking, backpacking, sailing, canoeing, climbing and so much more. Camporees and jamborees bring together Scouts from greater areas, opportunities to learn from others and see the world more broadly.
Although I am loathe to use the term “old,” as a seasoned Scout I am in a position to look back on the path I have chosen in life. Scouting has enriched me in so many ways. It deepened my relationship with my parents, my father especially with whom I shared many outings. It influenced the formation of close and enduring friendships. It provided my wife and me with an opportunity to share so much more with our son. It continues to provide opportunities to give back, to work with young people and to share the work of Scouting with close adult friends. As I look back, I know that the road I chose has indeed made all of the difference. I hope you can say the same in your own life, and that as you help your Scout confront decisions and learn to make each one with confidence, that they will in turn do so as well.
Once again, thank you for your commitment to Scouting, for the faith and trust you place in your leaders and units every day throughout the year. I’m looking forward to seeing you down that “less traveled” trail as together we build and grow Scouting to serve the youth throughout the Bay Lakes Council.
Paul Shrode