Re: Helping a Scout w/Tradgedy
Michael F. Bowman (mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Fri, 17 Nov 1995 01:31:57 -0500
It is wonderful to see such an outpouring of caring helping hands for a
Scout in difficult circumstances.
For this young man it is so important that he be treated the same as
before and that nothing appear to have changed. Scouting may be his last
refuge against a hard life made more complicated by this act of violence.
As caring leaders helping the family learn about community resources that
can help is also important. You may want to check with your local
Government to find out what sort's of victim assistance programs are
available and whether any victim support groups are operating in your
area. These may be a valuable source of support in addition to the other
resources others have suggested.
While you should try to prevent Scout leadership from being the source of
information to fellow Scouts about this terrible crime, I suspect that
sooner than later some of this Scout's friends are going to hear about
what happened. Some less mature of these friends/Scouts may make an
inappropriate comment at some point. Should this happen, as leaders,
this is a time for personal coaching and counseling with the Scout whose
comments are not appropriate. Here I would suggest a questioning
discussion with the "mouth" about how he would feel if it were his own
mother, how does he think his comments made the other Scout feel, how
would he want to be treated, how does he think the other Scout would like
to be treated, etc. until the idea sinks in that he should not repeat the
offensive behavior.
While our prayers go out for this individual Scout, perhaps we should
broaden the circle to include all Scouts who are the victims or in the
families of victims of crimes of violence. And as we give this our
prayerful consideration, we perhaps should also pray for ourselves that
we may continue as leaders to provide a refuge, opportunity, and a star
of hope to these young people who struggle amid such adversity.
Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
DDC-Training, GW Dist. Nat Capital Area Council mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
