A Word on Leadership from your Scoutmaster

I spent the weekend offering some of the best training for adult volunteers that the BSA has – a course called Wood Badge. At one point during one of the classes, I wondered how many Scouts, Scouters and parents have looked at the mission statement of the Scouts BSA. It reads as follows:

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

That’s it. No mention of Eagle Scout. Nothing about camping or merit badges. And not one word about high adventure – or even popcorn!

Somehow, adult leaders are supposed to find ways to help our youth make good decisions regarding their behaviors and actions. Yes, we can do this via advancement or teaching them about conservation and leave no trace. We can also teach them about good decision making by having them take on various leadership roles in the troop. Scouts in these roles start learning analytical and interpretive skills which are used to plan and implement their ideas. They learn how to prioritize tasks and navigate risks based on the principles outlined in the Scout oath and law, so that their fellow Scouts are safe, well-trained and have a lot of fun.

So with elections on Monday, I encourage all of our youth who are qualified to run for whatever roles they can. I would also hope their parents inspire them to run as well. That way, we can all play a part in helping the BSA make their vision a reality.