Why keep a boy in Scouts?
Ever been asked by friends, family, and/or co-workers why you have your
son in scouts? Ever ponder that question yourself? I know that I've
been asked that question. I've even asked it of myself; and I'm a leader
in this Troop! Let's face it, sometimes it's tough to remember why
this is so important. We all know it is; but have a hard time putting
our finger on it.
In one of my myriad traversals across the 'net in the past several
months, whilst doing research to create this web site, I came across the
quote below. It's from WoodBadge Scoutmaster, Mike Castleberg of
SC-394. What's a WoodBadge Scoutmaster? Let's just say he's a seasoned
paraprofesional. In his closing letter to WoodBadge trainees, Mr.
Castleberg wrote the following:
Someone once said, "Boys will be boys."
He forgot to add, "Boys will be men."
And so they will. They will, most certainly,
shape the world of the future to meet their
own desires. They will dictate a morality
that matches their moral codes. They will
dispense justice according to their ideas of
right and wrong. They will wield power to
achieve their own ends. And we will be able
to do nothing to prevent them, not then.
But today we have it in our power to define
the world of the future. By molding their
desires, by helping them set their moral
values. By guiding them as they try to
decide what is right and what is wrong. By
teaching them that the use of power carries
with it a responsibility to others.
It is much easier to build a child than it
is to repair a man.
That is our obligation; as parents, as
citizens and above all as Scouters."
Well, I don't know about you; but that pretty much does it for me.
Thanks for taking time to read this.
YIS,
Pack/Troop 209 Staff