I was talking to a couple parents of Scouts in my Troop the other night when the discussion led to when they would see the results of Scouting in their sons?
It made me think a little about just when Scouting manifests itself in our boys, or the boys that pass through our Troops.
The answer is not a simple one because it is dependant on the young man and the situations that he finds himself as he negotiates life.
I shared with the parents that Scouting did not manifest itself in me until I was in my 20′s and away from home. I realized what Scouting had taught me, skills like map and compass, first aid, and cooking. I took Scouting’s values with me when I entered the Army and developed a better understanding of loyalty and obedience. As I became an adult I understood those values and demonstrated them more frequently. I could see that between the up bringing of my family and the things I learned in Scouting, I was becoming the man that my Scoutmaster had hoped we all would become.
And now I am a Scoutmaster and I have that same hope for the boys in my Troop. I see development of skills every time we go camping. I see a strong sense of citizenship when we retire flags and participate in civic events as a troop. As these boys grow physically I see them getting stronger and in better shape. I can see how they do better each time we hike and that what was hard last year is no longer a daunting task.
So when does Scouting manifest in our boys? I don’t know.. but I do know that it does.. some day.. some time.. it will.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
