“A Scout is thankful” — not officially part of the Scout Law, but certainly worth making it part of our lives this week. So much so that I’ll be publishing three consecutive posts leading up to Thanksgiving about the three things we at On Scouting are most thankful for.
Yesterday, we told you how thankful we are for our Scouting volunteers across all the Scout programs.
Today, we’re moving on to No. 2 …
Our amazing Scout parents!
When it comes to choosing how to spend time with their families, the parents of today’s youth seemingly have more options than ever before.
There are no “seasons” when it comes to sports — almost every sport nowadays is year-round.
Band, orchestra, choir and performing arts practice is often both before and after school.
Academic clubs can take up several hours every week.
And that doesn’t even account for studying and homework.
We are so thankful for the parents who choose to spend some of that time in Scouting.
At the Cub Scout level, it is the parents who help their child put on their uniform and get to meetings on time. It’s the parents who bring snacks to one meeting and craft supplies to another. It’s the parents who take their kids camping — sometimes for the first time! — and it’s the parents who help their kids build those super-fast Pinewood Derby cars.
Being a parent of an older Scout
The transition into the BSA’s programs for older kids can be just as tricky for parents as it is for the Scouts themselves. Used to sitting right next to their kids during meetings and sharing a tent during campouts, at Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts or Exploring events, parents are much more likely to take a back seat as Scouts rely on their buddies to be partners on campouts and get advice from older Scouts who have taken on the leadership roles within the unit.
But the guidance that parents provide to these Scouts is still invaluable.
It’s not unusual at all for an aspiring Eagle Scout to have moments when they aren’t sure they’re going to be able to make it. To those parents who encouraged their kids to stick with it, we say an extra-special thank you.
From parent to volunteer
Want to take your involvement as a parent of a Scout to the next level? Consider becoming a registered BSA volunteer.
There are volunteers who help Scouts directly on an ongoing basis, such as unit leaders and assistant leaders. There are volunteers who help with specific events, like a camping coordinator or Pinewood Derby coordinator.
And there are volunteers who do their work behind the scenes, like a committee chair or member, or a Youth Protection Training coordinator.
Inspire Leadership, Foster Values: Donate to Scouting
When you give to Scouting, you are making it possible for young people to have extraordinary opportunities that will allow them to embrace their true potential and become the remarkable individuals they are destined to be.
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