One day, many years ago, a parent asked what Cub Scouts was like. I thought for a few moments and proceeded to try to tell the inquisitive parent all the different things we were doing at our den meetings, pack meetings, and campouts. Despite my enthusiasm, I wasn’t being clear in what their child could learn in scouting. But then, it struck me. I wasn’t selling a car or trying to make a business presentation. I was making it much more difficult than it needed to be. I stopped talking, paused, and it came to me. Very simply, I continued, “Let me try this again. Cub Scouts is Life Enhanced. Our kids go with us to the grocery store all the time. Cub Scouts teaches them to become engaged in the experience and to participate instead of watching.”
At that time, I, as a parent and leader, hadn’t experienced Boy Scouts or Venturing yet. I had no idea just how far those two words would carry through my sons’, and other boys’, scouting career. Fast forward 5 or 6 years when I sat on the first and only Eagle Board of Review I had the Honor to participate in before moving from the troop’s committee to become an assistant scout master. I had assisted with the advancement of many boys before this night, but it was different; this wasn’t just any rank, it was Eagle. Everyone in the room was brimming with emotion, and I can only speak for myself when I say I truly had goosebumps through the majority of it.
During the review, I told the young man how proud I was of him, and that I had a question. I asked him what he was doing when Hurricane Rita was bearing down on the Gulf Coast, severely threatening the Houston area. He looked a little puzzled before answering that he was helping his family get ready. I then asked what his non-scout friends were doing. He shrugged, and answered that he guessed they were hanging out, playing video games, etc while their parents packed or prepared to weather the storm. Reflecting on the philosophy that some watch life go by, others react to life, and others see opportunity to participate and make life better, I asked him where he felt, as a scout, he fit in. He smiled broadly and replied that he definitely was a participant and went on to talk a bit about other ways scouting had enhanced his life.
His reaction was so strong that I’ve since asked it of a few other scouts who have mentioned that they weren’t sure if they wanted to stay the course. The reaction on all three was an instant sense of pride as the boy told me how they stepped up to do what was needed to protect their family and home. None of the three I’ve talked to since that day at the Eagle Board of Review chose to leave scouts. Granted, I think in the future I’ll update the question to include hurricane Ike instead of Rita, but the message is the same.
Scouting, at all levels, is Life Enhanced. Embrace it, live it, and engage in your own experiences.
Very nicely said. I am going to pass this on to my parents and leaders in my Pack and Troop.