21 year old scout leader
Stoddard, Thomas C. (stoddatc@WESTINGHOUSE.COM)
Thu, 15 May 1997 09:48:11 -0400
to: James E Lade and any others considering the question of the 21 year
old Cub Scout leader....
Go for it!!
You've got some very good counsel from previous responses to this list.
My spin goes like this. I was recruited to be a scoutmaster right out of
college. Young, single, Eagle Scout, able to spend the time (one hour a
week, *big grin*). The troop didn't know me well, but time cured that.
Well, I dug in, got trained and completed Wood Badge, was recruited to a
District Committee and became District Training Chairman, was recognized
(humbled, really) to receive the District Award of Merit and Silver
Beaver and then was called upon to lead our Council's Philmont
contingent. All before I reached the age of 28....all while single. Good
people will soon be observed and respected regardless of status.
Since being married, I encountered a unique wrinkle in dealing with a
step-son. And I needed to take a time during his "scouting years" to
take a back seat away from the troop and go help the district
exclusively, so that he could hopefully hear the counsel and see the
role model of other scout leaders while working out some of his personal
problems. It mattered that such messages of values and ethics were not
coming from "Dad", but from other adults. Now, more recently, son out of
the program, I'm back at a similar level of involvement in the troop as
before.
So, I say, there's no guarantee for the future. Even with the promise of
children, it may not be what you'd like it to be. Enjoy any and all the
good years while you got 'em.....
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |