It's Popcorn Time!!

Ahhh, fall! The turning of leaves, the cooling temperatures and the knock on the door followed by the sound of "It's popcorn time!"

For those new initiates into this challenging world of popcorn flavor choices, as well as the decision of to by the unpopped or pre-popped variations, let me give you a little insight.

While the skeptical consumer might think, "Bleh, another opportunity for some conglomerate to use children to peddle their wares."  Scouts and scouting keep a very large percentage of the profits from the sale of the popcorn. The money goes for everything from buying the badges, loops and patches they wear, to funding camping trips, banquets, educational field trips and even some uniforms for the less financial able members. It pays for the cost of administering such a large operation, currently there are an estimated 2.7 million young men in scouting in the United States alone.

Scouting does more than just generate income though. It teaches a lesson to the boys and young men involved; a lesson about earning what they want in life, about work ethic and putting in effort to see something to fruition. It generates a sense of independence, of self-worth; these boys aren't asking for a handout, they're not expecting anyone to just give them money, they are selling a great product, investing their time and energy into those sales and working for a return.

It builds up their confidence in dealing with other people, creating a sense of maturity and growth. It teaches them respect for people who work for a living and have to invest themselves into their occupation.

Popcorn, it's such a small thing and yet; it is capable of turning a boy into a young man, a young man into a leader and a solid parent and ensuring that the next generation is better prepared for whatever may come it's way.

It's Popcorn Time!!

Compass Points

For a while now, Scouting has been the focus of a great deal of attention. Changes within the BSA with regard to the orientation of our unique society have come under scrutiny, not just from within; but from both news and social media. So an examination of these changes is essential toward understanding.

Why now you may ask, after the dust has settled a bit and the decision has been reached? Recently, a local church in my area withdrew their support and sponsorship of a Troop, citing "changes in membership policy". Ignoring it won't make it better, so let's talk a little about who and what Scouts are.

Scouts are young men, teens and young boys finding themselves in the world around them. They are intelligent, caring and community-minded individuals who are learning to interact in an ever changing society. They are our future and, in a way, our past.

So, how has the decision to allow openly homosexual scouts changed the stage? What does it (the decision) bring to the forefront of our society and what should we as Scouts and parents do in response to the effect of these changes?

First, are the ideals and moral values of Scouting negatively impacted by the inclusion of these young men? It is difficult to see this as a negative. If, as I would hope all do, these young men take the Scout Oath as a conscious commitment to the values ascribed their sexual orientation should have little impact upon Scouting as a whole and should have a great deal of guidance on each individually.

Second, what about the impact on heterosexual scouts? There should be little if any. Again, if we are adhering to the Scout Oath, are conducting our service to the community and our faith in a serious and reverent manner, Scouting should continue on as it always has.

I admit, during my life-time, I have been polarized by the question of "alternate lifestyle" people and communities. I have harbored prejudice and bigotry toward anyone not like me in that regard. As I have grown older, however; I have begun to understand that they are like me. They want to live, laugh, grow and learn to be a better person. They seek to enrich their lives in much the same way I seek to enrich mine.

The can, and often are, spiritual and religious people who are simply trying to understand their place in this world and in the realm of their Creator. They attend services, go to school, work, live and die in the same community we do. They deserve to serve. Scouting is as much a necessity for them as it is for any boy or young man. It allows that sense of completeness.

There are many who would argue that it is religiously oppositional to allow homosexual scouts. I disagree. Depending on your specific faith, almost all faiths acknowledge the need for growth and for fault. Perfection is not something one could obtain regardless of your definition of it; so how can we allow the sin or deficiency in our own life and not allow it in another. Let each of us agree to treat each other as brothers and allow the Creator to deal with us as He sees fit.

If you read this, and you have or hear of churches, clubs or schools pulling their support of Scout Troops in your area, address the problem rationally, compassionately and kindly. Remind them, we are all students in this life and each of us must find their own way in their own time.

Happy Scouting!

As A Boy Grows

                                       

There is something wonderful, something magically compelling in watching a young boy grow. It is a miraculous ascent into the adult world that happens in spurts; a captivating and endearing course of steps, both small and large, that propels him into the atmosphere of competency and understanding.

I came into Nicholas’ life when he was three. A strong and independent, intelligent boy with wide eyes and a ready smile that won my heart. He was so audacious in his quest for knowledge and understanding. His mother and I married later that year and since then I have watched him grow like an oak into the man he will one day become.

Kind, caring, strong and proud, stubborn and yet, fragile; the complexities of who he is are always startling to me. I have four other sons, all great men now who share in equal parts my failures and my victories in this life; and now, here is yet another who possesses so much potential and who inspires me so deeply.

Nick is becoming a Scout. Last week he attended his first function, a bike rodeo. His face at first hesitant, soon beamed that smile that draws people to him and he made friends rapidly. His mother and I watched as his confidence in himself blossomed. He hasn’t had a great deal of opportunity to ride, we live on a steep hill and he gets little chance to stretch his wings so to speak.

But that day, he flew. His desire to keep up with the others, to match them in their bravado and daring swelled my heart with pride. He was part of the pack, a Bobcat in the making with one desire… to fit in. He shined so brightly on that hot August morning, the sweat pouring from his brow as he peddled desperately trying to manage the obstacles and not fall behind.

Perhaps though, the moment when I saw the man he would one day become came when, presenting the colors, he stood so proud and tall, solemnly saluting the flag; my heart nearly burst with admiration for his chronologically uncharacteristic sense of decorum and patriotism.

As I watched him, my thoughts raced back to my youth, to my experience with Scouting. I could remember my first foray into that almost arcane world of anachronism. Words like patriotism, honor, duty, pride, civic duty and tradition seemed lost in the world then, now they are nearly forgotten; that is except for Scouting.

Anyone who has advanced beyond the first few years as a scout remembers with fondness the friendships, the joy at the awards ceremonies, the spectacle of the Blue and Gold and all the frills and trappings that accompany it. Some of us carry the kernel of that within us, buried deeply, sometimes hidden; but yet, it remains. You know who you are. The sound of taps, the playing of the National Anthem, the look on a boy’s face when he receives his first merit badge or puts on his first silver or gold arrow. Yeah, you know.

For all the years that have passed, for all the changes that the world, and Scouting, has undergone, we still stand a little straighter, a little more proudly when we see them. The nostalgia is almost palpable.

So here I am, over fifty with a six year old permanently implanted in my life and I feel that giddiness, that excitement again… it’s almost popcorn time… soon, camp-outs and s’mores and woodcarving and archery and all of the splendid things that will be reborn in my old and weary soul.

I can’t wait for the next adventure.