Boy Scout Troop 325 Scoutmaster Minute
Sep 4, 2010
Andy Duprey, Scoutmaster
A couple of weeks ago Dennis sent me an eamail and asked if I would do a scoutmaster minute for the court today. I reflected on how long I had known Dennis and how great of an impact he has had on the troop.
As you know scouting is about boys getting together with their friends to have fun. Scouting is about learning skills: first aid, woods tools, 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 oneself, and then persevering 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 lead as well as follow. Scouting is about learning to teach. Scouting is about values; the values represented in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Promise, the Scout Motto, and The Outdoor Code.
It is not always readily apparent, but Scouting is all of those things. Stop in and watch a Scout meeting in progress sometime. It often appears little more than contained chaos. Sometimes not 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.
Over the years I have been involved in the troop I have watched 10 and 11 -year-olds enter the troop, wide-eyed and awe-struck. Some will leave scouting after a year or two-moving onto other programs or caught up in the fumes-both car fumes and perfumes-Indeed Dennis was struck hard by the by marching band, but decided to stick out the program.
I also get to watch those that stay, some because their parents make them, some because their friends are here, some because their parent aren't, some because they truly love what is going on here...
Those that stay the full seven and one-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 (in the Navy, two full ranks)! Or they begin jobs and soon find that they are called upon more and more 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.
There have been a number of studies on the effects and influence of Scouting over the years.
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.
Dennis has completed his seven ranks. He was, as a younger scout, asst patrol leader, patrol leader (twice), Troop guide twice, Scribe, Bugler twice, Librarian, Asst Senior Patrol Leader and finally SPL, including filling in for Pat Boyden at Summer Camp three years ago as SPL. He has received training at our JLT, as well as wood badge and bristlecone. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow. He has earned the requisite number of merit badges, and I am sure, some more. He has taught others, and taught them well. He has taken on other challenges in Life auditioning and making it into both the Cadet and A-Corps of Santa Clara Vanguard. I have watched him. He has earned his place in the sun and he deserves to bask in it.
Dennis, you will carry with you an inner strength, a quiet confidence wherever you go, because you are an Eagle Scout, and that will never pass. After the badge has been pinned on your uniform, and your uniform taken off and hung away for the last time, you will continue to wear the badge of Eagle on your heart and in your soul.
Go out into the world and 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.