Once a Scout meets the requirements for First Class the focus changes from basic skills development to discovering all that Scouting has to offer, service, and leadership.
The Scout will discover Scouting through the merit badge program, high adventure bases, Jamboree’s and being an active member of his Troop. Often times his participation in high adventure increases once he has developed the skills and is a little more mature and taking on greater responsibilities in the unit.
But it is in leadership that the Scout starts to separate himself from the pack. When a Scout sits with me for his First Class and Star conferences I explain to him that it is important to begin that separation from the crowd. I am not suggesting that they leave, I am encouraging them to stand out.
Only 4 percent of all Scouts that stay in our program will earn the Eagle award. Only 4%. So it is important for a Scout that wants to earn his Eagle award to stand out from the other 96%. There is a difference in those young men. Not everyone is supposed to get their Eagle. It takes dedication and effort and a willingness to serve and lead. The Scout that does not separate will not stand out in leadership and service. They need not go above and beyond.. they only need to meet the standard, but the standard [when kept] is high… by design.
While I want all of my Scouts to achieve the rank of Eagle, I find it more important that they have a well rounded Scouting experience. I want to them to demonstrate sound leadership and develop the heart of a servant. In the world in which we find ourselves.. that is a stand out person. We can teach the value of merit and working for what you get. We can reverse the cycle of “participation trophies” and meaningless activity. The Scout that learns about the value of setting goals, working hard, and making a choice to be better than average is a young man that is separating himself from his peers to be a better man.
Creating separation is an important part of achieving goals and being a better man. It is easy to go with the flow and maintain mediocrity. It is another thing to actually do your very best and make a choice to make a difference.
Encourage your Scouts to stand out.. separate from the pack.. be better.
Thanks for hanging out on the blog.. let me know what you think.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Filed under: Advancement, blog, Character, High Adventure, Jamboree, Leadership, Scout Law, Scouting, Scoutmaster conference, Scoutmaster minute, Scouts, Service, Skills, Values
