And so it begins

 Here we are at Feast.

The annual tribal event that heralds the new camping season, gives opportunity for members to meet together, to honor those that have passed during the last year, and to elevate a new Chieftain. It is a time of brotherhood, as well as training for the various paint stations as Camp begins. 

The various paint station retreats, as they are known, initially started as simply the Runner's Retreat, to include Tom-Tom Beaters, as they potentially may be made Runners during the course of the season. This training is done to teach these youth basic youth protection, including youth on youth protection, as well as other aspects necessary to be an excellent Runner.  Scouting BSA is serious on these kinds of safety issues, having learned lessons through the courts about how past practices weren't enough, which, sadly, has a commonality through all organizations that deal with youth. 

The Boy Scouts of America has led the way for volunteer groups in advancing protection of youth, and its model has spun off to most others. As an example, a few years ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, of which I am a member, instituted a youth protection program based on the old BSA training. While the new training in BSA is much more robust, the old was an excellent starting point, and is required training for all adults that interact with youth, regardless of whether it is simply teaching on Sundays, tending the nursery, or involved in youth activities outside of the church building setting. This training has had an excellent record in reducing incidents of abuse or harassment in the BSA program, as most of the lawsuits that have been frequently in the news date back to before the Youth Protection training was instituted.

The whole purpose of the program is to teach youth to always look towards being one of those that have been helped by many, and in turn help those that are younger to have the same or better experience than they had. The ideal of servant leadership is taught at the earliest level while the youth are still being led in many things on their trail to adulthood. They are taught to be an example to younger scouts, as well as in their schools, churches and families. They are taught to lead within the boundaries defined by their respective groups. 

They are also taught the values that are the foundation of the Scout Oath and Law, and their application in real life. Those values of Duty to God, Duty to Country, Duty to Other People, as well as Duty to Self are necessary for any youth maturing to adulthood, to be good parents, parishioners, and citizens. At a time in our history where the culture is murky, where absolutes are anything but, how critical is it for youth to be taught right from wrong, that a belief in a higher power is paramount, but not defining what that higher power is? To think of others, and how they can be assisted in their progression through life? "To do a good turn daily" is not just some catchy slogan, it is a goal for each and every scout and scout leader. 

So as we prepare for the feast, and starting tomorrow, the staff begins their final stretch for Scout Camp to start, we take a moment to recognize the timeless values that Scouting has to offer, not just to the youth participating or their families, not just to the adult leaders, but indeed, to the world.

Happy Scouting