Not conscripted, volunteer

 Tomorrow, Cub Camp at Camp Geiger ends, and the staff prepares for the first session of the Scouts BSA adventure on Sunday.

While it is true that many on the Camp Staff are paid, including yours truly, it is equally true that most are lucky to break even for the season. Many of these staff members are true volunteers, meaning that they are working simply for room and board, and for those that don't live in camp during the summer, just the food. Many are retired or have jobs that allow them the summers to serve. Some are teachers, many others are college students, bypassing jobs that earn far more, so that they too can serve. So why do they do this?

For the kids, of course. They have participated in the Scouting program for many years, perhaps since they were young boys. That was me. But many also joined Scouting as adults, as their youth were registered. They served as Den Leaders, Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Members of Committee, and so on. They are the rides that take not only their kids, but others to and from events. They are the fundraisers. They register for training so that they can continue serving. After all, if you've had enough, but can't bring yourself to tell someone that, the expiration of your Youth Protection Training is enough to get you "fired", meaning you cannot participate, without it. Happily, that doesn't happen often.

You see, while there are professional Scouters, and they are essential to meeting the goals of Scouting on the Council and District level. They provide the support needed for the basic level, the unit, to succeed. But it is the volunteers that staff positions in the Districts, as well as the Unit levels. Packs, Troops, Crews, and Ships would not exist, were it not for those volunteer  adults. Again, many are parents, or started as parents supporting their youth, but not all, and many get hooked on what Scouting does, and stay long past when their children have moved on. Are you one of those? Anyone? Anyone?

Those leaders at the very basic level put in HOURS and HOURS of service to help the youth be successful. I have mentioned that many on the Camp Staff are UNPAID! Scout camp could not be, were it not for these unpaid, and even those that receive financial compensation, grossly UNDERPAID staff members. But that is incorrect. They are paid, and paid very well, but not financially. I say they, but I really mean WE.

Our joy comes from seeing those youth grow into men and women that we are proud to say we know. We are humbled and deflect any kind of praise, or gratitude, whenever one of them credits us for the person that they have become. We just point out that we show up, and we try, sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, to be an example. Not of someone that has wild success in their careers, or lives necessarily, but someone that is known for their compassion towards others. For their patience in dealing with difficult circumstances, their ability to mentor others. 

I think it was Charles Barkley, the NBA superstar that said he "wasn't a role model". With all due respect, Sir Charles, we are role models, whether we want to be or not. Those that are famous cannot hide from it, the rest of us put ourselves in that role when we interact with others. The question isn't whether you are a role model, it is, what kind of role model are you, or do you aspire to be? Scouts BSA is a youth led program, and as boys and girls mature, they take on greater roles in helping those younger than themselves to progress. Adults provide the logistics, and the guidance to help youth succeed.

I guess that the paid staff are technically professionals, and by writing what I have I certainly do not want to belittle the professional staff at the Council office. They are critical, and provide the resources needed for volunteers on every level to be successful. I could not do my job as Trading Post manager without the professional staff assisting in all facets of the job. I cannot thank them enough.

We do it for them. And for the personal satisfaction. Recognition is an important part of Scouting, and keeping youth engaged. Truthfully, who doesn't love to hear that they have done well? But is that why we do it? For awards? For accolades? That is not why I am here, and I think that many if not most of my peers on staff would agree.

It is time!