Confessions of a Scoutmaster

[wildhorse]

We stepped up to the plate when asked and we are proud of every boy we have gotten to know. But there were a few things we did not realize when we stepped into the Scoutmaster and Asst. Scoutmaster shoes.

We did not realize our interactions and time spent with our own sons would be so much less than with the other boys. We did not realize that to make sure my sons did not face what many Scoutmaster's sons deal with (whispers of favoritism) We would insist they performed faster, better and more proficent than any other scout to earned every rank, every award, every merit badge. We did not realize that watching us help others would make our sons do the same. We didn't realize that each time they had to figure it out, practise a skill on their own plus be very good at what ever they were doing, it would teach them to go after the things they want. We spent a great deal of time feeling guilty about the time we did not spend with our boys.

It wasn't until their ECOH, we understood their views are so much different ours. They told us:

You taught us to strive to be the best at everything we do.

You taught us that we could achieve anything with hard work and practise. You taught failing is part of learning and not the end.

You taught us to take care of others and help them on their trail -- it will help us also.

You showed us you believed in our skills and did not need to hover.

We KNOW we have earned every rank, merit badge and award even if we were a Scoutmaster and Ast. scoutmasters' sons.

You taught us what the Eagle Challange really means and to not take it lightly.

You taught us that even if others are proud of you -- you must be proud of yourself.

You taught us Eagle is a beginning. You taught us to soar. We knew you would be there if we fell. But boy it felt good Dad that we could pick ourselves up and go on. Thanks Mom and Dad foreverything and more. We've got it from here.

[OneHour]

Very true ... very nice! Thanks! With your permission, I would like to use this for the Troop's scoutermaster's son's ECoH.

 

YIS,

 

1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

[gwd-scouter]

Wonderful post! Thank you for posting your thoughts that so many of us share.

[hotdesk]

Nicely written, and couldn't agree more!

 

I am 21. When I was 15 my dad joined the troop as Scoutmaster. While we didn't spend a lot of time scouting together, we spent a lot of time scouting. I was pushed to excel and I will admit I felt a lot of pressure.

 

HOWEVER, it was the best experience I have had. Two months after my ECOH my dad died expectly. Having time to reflect on what the scouting experience taught me I have learned

 

1) Putting others above self

2) Teaching is Learning

 

and that I had many experiences with my dad (sunrises, sunsets, canoeing, etc.) that I wouldn't have had with him if scouting hadn't been part of our lives.

 

 

[SctDad]

Great Post

 

I sat down with my son one evening after one of our den meetings. Actually they are just like Pack Meetings, just with different activities. And this was also right after we came back from a campout.

 

I told him that his behavior was good that evening (he has some behavior issues, but he is getting better) and that I was proud of him that night.

 

I also told him that we would try to spend more time together. I told him that I was sorry that i wasn't able to spend more time with him in scout meetings. But there were other boys that also needed my help. I also told him that although not fair to him, the boys tend to look to him for guidance, because he is the Cubmasters son. And that, that is actually a big responsibility. I guess I need to spend more time with him this year, working on his achievements and electives.

 

As Cubmaster and den leader, I have a responsibility to the otehr boys just as much as I do to him. But I sit back reading this post, and think about my time with my son, and that I really need to work with him a little more. I guess that these are things that I need to look over again in my life as a Cubmaster.

 

But that aside, I was looking at his uniform after our last pack meeting, looking at the patches that he earned and trying to figure out where they could all go (He just got the recruiters stripe, and it will have to go below his jr. Shooting Sports team Patch, and that is a big one). I told my wife, "look at all these patches. that and once he gets his wolf badge, he will have 1 Gold and 2 Silver arrow points to start. But we still have at least 8 Achievements to go with the WOlf Badge.

 

Here's to scouting and all the leaders who give so much for other boys, but raise a coffee cup to our own.

[wildhorse]

To all those who asked: you are welcome to use the post. Please use the source as Scoutmaster Mull's Sons