The unsung heroes

I have written on this topic before, so forgive the indulgence. It is too important in our organization to not mention it.

Today, I began getting the store ready for summer camp. Beginning with Feast this Saturday, and rolling into Cub Camp, and finally Scouts BSA. Yes, I am a paid employee, unlike so many that I am getting ready to write on, without naming names. By paid, of course, I mean that I should have enough to cover gas, and some of the things I need to buy through the summer. And not much more. Truth be told, staff at Geiger get a fraction of what they could get at other camps. So why? First let me tell you what sparked this post.

I had come in, and was getting the trash cans set to put out on the porch. As I took them out, I noticed that the planters that surround the porch were still filled with last year's dead stalks. I know the person that takes the time to come out, and plant fresh flowers every year, and was surprised that it had not been done. Truthfully, my first thought was that maybe he had been sick, or had perhaps passed. Neither was the case, I think he may be one that is too ornery to die, just kidding. But later in the afternoon he appeared, with tools, extra dirt to enrich the planters, and the flowers to plant. This seems like a small thing, but it is not. It is truly a labor of love, to brighten someone's day. All I have to do is keep them alive during the summer. 

Don't you just feel better seeing them? I do.

Just one little thing to potentially make a difference for someone without even being there.

There are, though, many more. When I move into the store before Feast, usually, some pickup is required. It is because during the off season, members of the Inner Circle Trading Company, and a few volunteers, assemble kits, gather materials, package them, tag them, and get them ready for the camp season. Need a headband kit for Indian Lore Merit Badge? Covered. How about the youth that come to camp not fully appreciating the amount of work it takes to construct an outfit? And say they needed feather bustles? No sweat, in fact, they can buy it, and go to Swimming Rock lodge to put it together, usually with someone willing to assist.

To count the man hours (including women, of course) involved in setting up and preparing for Camp cannot be accurately judged. Most would also mention that I should just drop it, that they don't do it for recognition (they really don't even want it), but that they literally do it for the youth. They make these kits, and then put very reasonable prices on them, with the proceeds going to the Council and the Tribe. So they come in, the week of Memorial Day, to help clean up, finish up some kits, and leave the store ready to be opened. They talk, they have a good time, swapping stories, and concerns. And the hour meter just keeps ticking. A whole lot of time.

The staff is also, relatively speaking, unsung. Yes, many are unpaid volunteers, and for that, we should also be grateful. While the rest of us are paid very little. They don't seek out your adoration, or even some hero worship. They just want some external acknowledgement, every now and then. Good for the soul. 

In our Oath, we pledge to honor God, and country. We commit to the Scout Law. Then we commit to "help other people at all times". While I have only highlighted two personal observations, make no mistake, the youth of this council and beyond have excellent role models, and they don't even know the half of what is done to make this camp operational. For all of them. So, when you buy a kit, or maybe even a slushie, don't forget the dedicated hours to make those available for purchase.