My First Scout Master

They say you never forget your first Scout Master. That they challenge you, teach you and help you grow. Your Scout Master is always there for you even if you don’t see him. The Scout Master helps keep the whole troop Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

Three years ago, at 36 years old, I met my first Scout Master and I went home from the first meeting thinking we were walking into a hot mess. I spent over an hour telling my husband how much chaos there was at that meeting. That the adults all sat in the back talking and no one was in charge of anything.

Orion's First Meeting Aug 20, 2012

The next meeting I expressed my concerns to this official looking man and he gave me this silly chuckle. As he explained how Boy Scouts worked I cried. How were they supposed to learn anything if no one was leading…. This was my second meeting. My first Scout Master not only had this new Scout on his hands he had me.

Luckily Orion jumped in with both feet and loved it even though he didn’t really understand what was happening or how things worked for the first few weeks. He started asking questions and caught on quickly… the way it’s supposed to happen. I started reading everything I could get my hands on and took all the training online that was offered. Every meeting after flags if my Scout Master was not busy with a Scout I had a question or two for the first few months. My Scout Master always had questions instead of answers or he had great examples by telling me a story but I always left with answers.

About 3 months in I got the Oath and Law correct during flag and was so excited I shouted “Yes I did it!” Everyone stared because we were not done with flags. My Scout Master gave me a high five.

Boy Scouts is boy lead, adult mentored. I started seeing this after a few meetings. They really were not a hot mess. Yes there was some chaos but they were boys running things their way not an adults way. You could see the adults in the back of the room occasionally walk over and say something to a Patrol Leader or the SPL when things needed to move along.  I learned quickly to not answer the Scouts when they came to me with a question. Coming from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts that was one of the hardest things for me. I wanted to just give the answer now I answer with a question. “Where is your patrol leader?” or “Who should you be asking?”

I went to my first summer camp because my Scout Master asked me to go, it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. If you ever have to opportunity to attend Scout Summer Camp GO!!! You will watch all of the Scouts grow before your very eyes. The bonds get stronger between the Scouts and adults on the trip. It was amazing I will NEVER forget it.

I have been on some of the best camping trips, training weekends and watched my son becoming his own person. All great changes are preceded by chaos. I am thankful for my Scout Master.

Thank you Dean for all that you have done, continue to do and will do in the future for me, my family and all of the families that I got to talk to the last few weeks. You put your heart and soul into these Scouts and it shows in them.

I will never forget my first Scout Master and I am thankful that you helped me become a better person, a better Scouter and a better parent by getting me involved in the Troop.