Scoutmaster Message
“No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way.”
— Robert Baden-Powell (founder of Scouts)
One constant in life is change and sometimes that change can take you by surprise, be fun and inspiring. I think of my grandmother who saw all kinds of change in her 97 years – dirt roads into massive highway systems, entirely new technologies (e.g., mainframes, personal computers, cell phones), and social movements not to mention sending man into space. Learning to “roll with change” and managing yourself through change is a life-long needed skill that is learned and cultivated and this is where Scouting comes into play.
Never in a million years did I think I would be a scout leader much less with a group of girls but this is how Scouting works. Your child joins the Cub Scout Pack or Scout Troop and they need a few volunteers for an activity. Next thing you know your having fun and see what a difference the program is making in your child’s life. That’s it, you’re hooked!
My husband, Michael, and I have been involved with scouts for six years starting out in Cub Scouts where we served as Den leaders and Michael was the Assistant Cubmaster. Our son joined Boy Scout Troop 1776 so here we are starting up a Scout troop for girls so our daughter can have the same outdoor fun and challenges as well.
Developing leaders, teaching “soft skills”, and quietly coaching people is something I am incredibly passionate about in my professional career and personal life. This fits in so nicely with one of the main guiding principles in Scouts – the scouts plan and run the show. Scouting provides a structure to guide the scouts but the flexibility to plan and decide activities based on their interests.
Both Michael and I want the scout troop to be a welcoming place where the scouts feel safe to try new things, know they are cared for, are free from judgement, and learn the leadership & life skills they need. Every scout is treated with the same dignity, respect, and care – it’s the Scout way. Life is busy, we know that – join us any time. If you have to take a break due to competing priorities – we will welcome you back with open arms.
The most important thing to Michael and I is the scouts have a chance to grow into the best version of themselves, do a good turn daily, and have fun!
Yours in Scouting – Corey Pitts & Michael Pitts
