This past weekend I had the privilege of being the Chairman of our annual District Webelos Woods.
Webelos Woods is an opportunity for Webelos Scouts, their Adults leaders, and parents, to have an outdoors camping experience. It is a District ran event that demonstrates Scout skills and encourages the Webelos to Scout transition.
In years past we have asked Troops throughout the District to assist in hosting events; Knot tying, Fire building, First Aid, BB Gun range etc. The Webelos love to go around and learn new stuff in a fun outdoor environment.
This year we focused our program on the transition and asked that the Order of Arrow Scouts from our Chapter host all the events. Who better that the Scouts that pledge a life of Cheerful Service?
The Arrowmen came through with flying colors. They hosted a BB Gun range, they taught Fire building and First Aid, they had a station for playing fun games, they staffed a climbing wall, and they cooked cinnamon roles over open fire. All boy led to demonstrate that this is how Boy Scouting is. There were a great group of adults, all Arrowmen also that supervised and monitored the activity to ensure safety, but by and large the Scouts ran it all and did a fantastic job.
How do I know?
IMPACT! I was talking with the boys on Friday night about the impact that they could have on these Webelos Scouts and their parents. If they would act with discipline and demonstrate competence. If they would maintain a cheerful spirit throughout the day. If they would take just five minutes and touch the life of a Webelos Scout. They would have an impact.
How do you measure it? Simple. Watch and listen.
Saturday night the Order of the Arrow boys hosted a Campfire program. They sang song, poked a little fun at the adult advisers, did skits and left the Scouts with a message of encouragement to finish the Arrow of light and join us on the trail to Eagle. When the Chapter Chief spoke the words of encouragement, not a sound could be heard other than his voice. All eyes focused on the Chief. Parents nodded with acceptance.
I gave a Scoutmaster minute that asked the Scouts to “BE PREPARED” for the next step on their journey. That the Arrow of light does not mean the End… but the beginning of a new adventure.
After the campfire, I stood at the back and said good night to everyone as they left the lodge.
I asked if the Webelos had fun.. a resounding yes! Many of the youngsters expressed the fact that they could not wait to be in the OA so they could do the stuff they did all day.
One young man and his parents came to me and said, “I am so impressed with these boys, we have been hoping for an organization for our son that had values and make an impact on him. A place were we know he is safe and that the boys he hangs out with are good. Adults that care so much for the boys that they dedicate this time and energy.” They went on to talk about a boy that taught fire building. “Jason was marvelous! If we could take one thing from today it would be the twenty minutes that Jason spent with our boy.” When I heard this my heart began to warm and my smile grew even bigger. We made an impact. We touched a young man and he will forever be changed.
When I was a Scout, I remember a summer at Camp Freedom. There was a member of the staff named Chuck Parsons. He was an instructor at the water front were I spent my time at camp. I earned the rowing merit badge, the canoeing merit badge, the swimming merit badge and did the Mile Swim BSA. Anything that had to do with water.. I was there. And Chuck was the coolest guy in camp. There were a handful of us that followed Chuck like he was the second coming. We thought he was the best. He took time with us and made everything down at the water front fun. He helped a kid in my Troop named John learn how to swim and he let us make fires in the fire pit to get dry and warm. He always had a story to tell and was never shy to offer advise. Chuck ate with us in the dinning hall and would jump up on the table and lead the whole camp in a song while we cleaned up after meals.
He was the first guy you looked for in the morning at flag.. and always greeted the camp with a cheer and a smile.
One day, Chuck was not at morning flag. He had to go home, their family was moving and Chuck had to go help. We showed up at the water front and the guys said.. Don’t worry, we will do things just like Chuck! And they did.
Chuck made an impact on everyone. He touched our Scouting spirit and he affected the staff as well.
That was almost 30 years ago and I often think about Chuck and the great times at Camp Freedom.
I was moved this weekend when a new generation did exactly what Chuck did. They made an impact. Demonstrated everything that is great about Scouting!
30 years from now a man will remember Jason and tell the story!
Take five minutes! Make an impact on the life of someone!
Happy Scouting!
