So the season begins and with much anticipation

 A new blog? Yupp.

I wanted to have a new one to focus on thing surrounding Camp Geiger, the Pony Express Council, and, yes, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

To begin, I wanted to attach a link to a blog I had written two years ago, as it explained many things regarding the Tribe, and the purpose it has served and continues to serve.

https://snakeriverlibertarian.blogspot.com/2019/06/in-defense-of-tribe.html 

As we go forward, I state emphatically, that this is my opinion only. I do not speak for anyone else.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The disclaimer above is also valid for that perspective as well. Why do I mention it?

Because context is very important to me. And because it is important (everything) when it comes to my writing, you will just have to bear with me a moment while I add that context.

Several years ago, a Broadway play was introduced to the world. A play scripted by the writers of South Park. It was, and is entitled "The Book of Mormon". This play was written specifically to make a mockery of the aforementioned church, and everything it stands for. 

In the case of the musical, The Book of Mormon, one might ask, "If it was so offensive,  how was it allowed to play? Celebrities and politicians alike (and it was a big hit everywhere) publicly boasted of attending the show. The question I would ask is: "How did The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints handle the publicity of this mockery"?

It was simple, really, as the musical toured, the restored Church of Jesus Christ used the publicity of it to introduce people to the actual Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In other words, they did not play the victim, they took advantage. As a result, missionaries received thousands of references from people that wanted to know more. 

If you haven't understood where this is going, it is simple. In the last year you could turn on your TV, check social media, and find all sorts of negative things about the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Lawsuits for sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, etc. were commonplace. The BSA as a national organization is trying to go through a process where a fund is established to pay those claims, and to move beyond them.

And well they should. In the plan to move forward, the BSA is acknowledging the size and scope of the problem, in fact, they developed a plan to help prevent such abuse that is the model for youth organizations nationally. They began in 1987 by introducing its first Youth Protection training, that highlights two deep leadership, and that an adult and youth must never meet alone out of sight of others. The vast majority of the lawsuits are pre-1987, perhaps as high as 90% or more, which speaks to how serious the organization took the problem.

What people don't want to acknowledge is the good that BSA, and in particular the Pony Express and Heart of America Councils do in the community. I could write several pages listing those, but a few here will suffice.

One of the greatest aspects of BSA is that it teaches youth, both young men and young women, to value one's self, yet to look to serve others as well. Countless hours of service to local community and non-profit organizations are done each year, always to improve the neighborhood, the church, or other group. This is done without cost to the recipient, and involves the community in bringing that service to fruition.

Many youth come from homes with few if any positive role models. Youth need someone to look up to. and BSA provides it. Not only the leaders of the unit the youth is involved in, but interactions with other units through activities such as camporees, summer scout camp, and service help youth to see that there are options, and the importance of making good choices. Seeing adults and older youth willingly serve the community provides a great example.

The Pony Express Council, based in St. Joseph, MO, and the Heart of America Council, based in Kansas City, MO, have some of the highest percentages of Eagle Scouts per member in the country. Period. One of the reasons why is the aforementioned Tribe of Mic-O-Say. While this particular post is not going to dive into the particulars there, it is mentioned because it inspires higher than average retention rates of youth. In other words, they stay active in Scouting much longer, usually into adulthood, where it is their turn to be the role model that they once had. Which leads back to me.

I am not an Eagle Scout, unlike the overwhelming majority of the Staff at Camp Geiger in St. Joseph. I am very conscious of that every waking moment that I am here. I no longer let it bother me, as I have been accepted and perhaps proven myself in spite of that, to be someone that can have a positive influence on others. I may even have an advantage as that beacon of warning. No matter. It was the Camp Geiger Staff of my youth, and as an adult leader bringing boys to camp, that was the role model for me. They exemplified the Scout Oath and Law, and set the standard for any camp staff in the nation. Right here in St. Joseph, MO.

So here we are, with Scout Camp all set to begin in just a little over a week. We are largely past COVID, though many safeguards are still in place. It is not the normal that most of us are used to, but it is better than last year. Numbers are up, third year of girls as Scouts in camp, it has nearly become just a note in passing, as they have adapted well, as have we. BSA provides the opportunity for all to come and learn, to be outdoors, which would be worth a blog in and of itself how important being in the outdoors is, especially for youth that are at risk.

It is time to go to work, and to enjoy working and being at camp. Hope to see you there!