The latest in a series designed to help Scout families, Scouts and those new
The Thirteenth Scout Law – Or Maybe It Should BE! (cont.)
As we enter the holiday season, a time of celebration, family and friends, remembrance, gift giving and receiving, it seems appropriate to reflect on thankfulness. We have much to be thankful for in Scouting. After all, our venerable program continues to thrive and grow and evolve with the times, remaining true to our commitment to prepare youth for lives of service, leadership, community engagement and personal success. For over a century, Scouting has taught values, built relationships and lifelong friendships, helped youth to develop a strong sense of self, and equipped them with useful and meaningful skills and understanding.
First, I would suggest that we express our gratitude to those families who have invested their time, talent, support and resources in their young men and women and enrolled them into Scouting America. Without their trust and expression of support, Scouting would not be possible. We have welcomed many new Scouts and their families this fall and continue to do so, and many more remain a part of our organization. We are blessed that so many adults continue in their Scouting journey well into their senior years, sharing their experience, understanding and time to support our units and the Districts and Council at large. And we should thank our youth for sticking with Scouting, even as they get older and more and more opportunities clamor for their time – sports, clubs, jobs, etc. Our youth remain at the heart of Scouting and they are a constant reminder of who we are and why we do what we do.
It is also important to call out the leaders of our units, giving selflessly of their time and expertise to provide a meaningful Scouting experience day in and day out. We are also thankful for the professional staff who support our units and leaders going well above and beyond what is expected, often at odd times of day or days of the week. And of course we should be thankful for our Charter Organizations, willing to assume the responsibility and liability of hosting our units, providing support and making sure we have excellent leaders, safe places to meet, and the equipment necessary to deliver our program.
Finally, we can be thankful for our Council, our Scouting family spread across the region, offering troops, packs, crews, posts, and ships of all sorts, shapes and sizes, and for the volunteers who coordinate our efforts through our Board of Directors, District Boards, Commissioners, Merit Badge Counselors and so many more.
So how do we express our gratitude this season and throughout the year for our Scouting family, our Scouting experience? The first step is easy, join and engage in the work, renew our membership, pursue the training opportunities that strengthen our skills and ability to serve, obtain the trappings of Scouting such as uniforms, handbooks, outdoor gear and the like. Invest in Scouting through the Friends of Scouting annual giving campaign, attend summer camp in Council, shop at our award-winning Scout Shop. Take the time to give back to the communities that host us through community service. Participate in our product sales. If you know of a Scout in need of uniform essentials or camping equipment, consider shopping at the Bay Lakes Scout Shop or submitting the Scout and his or her needs to the Giving Tree at the shop. Wear your Scouting gear with pride in settings throughout the community and don’t be afraid to acknowledge that you are a Scouter. Giving, giving back, and giving in the name of Scouting are the best ways to express gratitude for all that we have.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to Scouting, for the faith and trust you place in your leaders and units every day throughout the year. Your investment in Scouting will pay many dividends through the years as your youth learn new skills, develop a stronger sense of self, discover new interests and most important, make life-long friends. You are likely to find family friends as well. Thank you for all you do and will continue to do to share and reinforce the value of Scouting and the value of each member’s participation. Happy Holidays and may you have a successful year ahead. I’m looking forward to seeing you down the trail.
Paul Shrode
psshrode@aol.com