WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM & WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER
Have you noticed things are a bit different lately? Increased traffic, businesses closed or operating limited hours, help wanted signs, an exploding housing market – all effects of COVID and a recovering economy.
We also feel the pinch of a busy summer – training programs, day camps, unit trips, and, of course, summer camp and adventure camp operations. It is easy to feel frustrated with so much Scouting and life happening all at once.
Over the past several weeks, I have noticed an alarming number of people acting more stressed than usual. I have received multiple complaints about the council/staff not caring or not responding quickly or to the degree that feels deserved. Let me offer a bit of insight from the staff side of things.
Do you honestly believe that the staff doesn’t care about you or the Scouting program? Does any good employee not care about the health and well-being of the company for which they work? Of course not! Like so many organizations, we are short-staffed. We ran 10 day camps this year when most councils only have to worry about one. We are maxed, on output and capacity.
Rest assured, however, that we care deeply about every volunteer and every Scout in our program. Our response time is just a bit longer than it has been in the past.
A Scout is kind. A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. They treat others as they want to be treated. Amid the chaos, we must be kind to each other, give the benefit of the doubt and know that we are all trying to do our best every day.
The world can be scary and intimidating. We are surrounded by opposing political views and loud voices, lewd comments, signs, stickers and symbols. Scouting combats all that and we need to remember to live the 12 points of the Scout Law.
We are all on the same team and it takes all of us to raise the next generation of children into better – compassionate and ethical – citizens.
On Sunday, my wife and I attended Kaylee King’s Eagle Scout court of honor. It was a great recognition held in the main hall at Grizzly Base Camp.
As I watched the program – I listened to Fred Flint, John Manz and Jim Atkinson, Carl Sobczak, Heidi Treschel and others – folks that were Scouting heroes when I was young. They are still here. I’m sure that there have been times when they were frustrated, but they pressed on, now impacting the next generation.
Together, we got this!
God Bless and enjoy the summer. Even in smoky weather, there are few places I’d rather be.
Yours in Scouting,
Jory Dellinger
Deputy Scout Executive
