For this busy military family, Scouting maximizes that most precious of resources: time

In a lot of ways, the Blackmore family is like any Scouting family. They have too much to do and too little time.

The dad, Brian, is an active-duty sergeant working long hours in the U.S. Army. His son, Jacob, is busy, too, with school, homework, church and chores.

When Brian and Jacob’s precious few hours of free time overlap, they better make it count.

That’s why they joined Pack 810 of Vass, N.C. As Brian helps Jacob through his Webelos requirements, the two spend quality time together.

“Brian has told me that he was bonding and getting closer to his son while accomplishing Webelos adventures together,” says Mike Quintana Jr., Pack 810 assistant Cubmaster.

Mike sent me the Blackmores’ story, which was too good to keep to myself.

A family together

Families like the Blackmores know that as schedules get busier, family time won’t just happen naturally. You have to schedule it. You must put on the calendar.

“Scouting is a good, wholesome program that can facilitate this,” Mike says.

What about sports? I’m a fan, but they don’t offer the same opportunity for parent-son bonding as Scouting. A father watching his son play second base won’t have the same kind of experience as a father helping his son build his first fire, set up a tent or create a model of the solar system.

“It is evident how Scouting can enhance someone’s family unit and truly enrich their lives,” Mike says. “Brian and Jacob Blackmore can be the models of how Cub Scouting is supposed to be. Both always do their best, love the Lord, and serve their community and country.”

Liz Blackmore and twin girls Emily and Natalie are in Mike’s Girl Scout troop, so he’s seen that Scouting doesn’t just benefit fathers and sons.

That’s true in Mike’s pack as well. When fathers in Pack 810 leave on military deployments, the moms “become closer to their sons while the dads are gone.”

The Blackmores are just another example of how Scouting helps families turn together time into lasting memories.

What’s your story? I’d love to read about it in the comments.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.