Boy Scout Troop 325 Scoutmaster Minute
November 17, 2009
Andy Duprey, Scoutmaster
Scouting is about boys getting together with their friends to have fun.
Scouting is about learning skills: first aid, putting up a tent, building a fire, knots and lashings, orienteering.
Scouting is about nature; learning the principles of conservation and wilderness stewardship.
Scouting is about learning to set goals for yourself and then doing what it takes to achieve them.
Scouting is about learning to work as a functioning member of a team working to accomplish shared goals.
Scouting is about learning to teach, follow and lead
Scouting is about values; the values represented in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Promise, the Scout Motto, and The Outdoor Code.
While it is not always readily apparent, Scouting is all of these things.
When you stop by a troop meeting it often appears little more than contained chaos that is sometimes not all that well contained!
A group of older Scouts at the front of the room appear to be attempting to organize the group, most of whom seem determined to keep that from occurring.
And yet, we watch 10-year-olds enter the troop, initially wide-eyed and awe-struck.
And over the course of the next few years, we watch many of them drop out of scouting, as other interests and duties: homework, sports, bands, church, family, girls, cars and computer games compete for their time and attention.
But we also get to watch those that stick with it. Some stick with it because their parents make them, some because their friends are here, some because their parent aren't, and some because they truly love what is going on here.
Those that stay the full seven and a half years come out the other side changed.
They have grown in ways they can't appreciate; not until they go off to college and discover their roommates have no idea how even to cook, let alone live on their own.
Or they go into the military and discover some of the world's most demanding task-masters who seemingly respect no one and no thing, least of all the new recruits they are charged with training, suddenly soften as they call out those who are Eagle scouts on the first day of boot camp and honor them in front of all the others for their achievements and then promote them a full rank!
Or they begin jobs and soon find that they are called upon by their superiors to take on more responsibilities and positions of leadership.
They have a quiet confidence their fellow students, soldiers, and workers often do not have.
They are not afraid to take on a new task, to express an opinion, to lead a project, to speak up before a group.
Scouting's lessons are subtle; they show best against those who have not experienced them.
Unlike other youth organizations, the most important lesson learned in Scouting, is to never be afraid of trying... and to never be afraid of failing.
Patrick and Dennis have completed their seven ranks. They have held positions of leadership, both were SPL. They have earned the requisite number of merit badges, plus a couple more. They have completed their service projects.
They have attended camporees, and summer camp, backpacking and camping trips.
They have attended leadership training
We have watched both of these young me. They have earned their place in the sun and they deserve to bask in it.
Patrick and Dennis you will carry with you an inner strength, a quiet confidence wherever you go, because you are Eagle Scouts, and that will never pass.
After the badge has been pinned on your uniform, and your uniform taken off and hung away or folded up in a drawer for the last time, you will continue to wear the badge of Eagle on your heart and in your soul.
Continue to live by the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law, Be Prepared, and Do a Good Turn Daily, and the world will be a better place because you are in it.
Congratulations on becoming an Eagle. Conduct yourself accordingly. And God be with you. Good Night Scouts