Letters about Scouting Pride

I always enjoy hearing from our units when they share how proud they are of their Scouting activities. It sends a message that no matter how large or small the unit, they are committed to teaching Scouting’s values and great things happen that benefit their communities.

Case in point is Troop 348 in Cocoa Beach, Florida in the Central Florida Council. They have a small troop with 15 Scouts, but that doesn’t stop them from having a positive, wide-reaching impact on their community.

Stephan Zawadzski, Scoutmaster of Troop 348, reached out to me, describing how proud he was of his small troop for a “door drop” project in partnership with their local Lions Club.  Their canvass was designed to collect used eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries as well as used cell phones.  As a result, they collected over 100 pair of used eyeglasses, 10 cell phones, four hearing aids and a supply of batteries for the Cocoa Beach Seaside Lions Club.

The Lions were so grateful that they included photos in their multi-district newsletter, including a cover photo of Troop 348 donating what they collected.

 This was a great community project that taught valuable lessons to Troop 348 as well as spread goodwill about Scouting among hundreds of Lions Clubs members who read their story. Their Scoutmaster finished his e-mail to me with more encouraging words: “We are a young, thriving troop and plan on continuing our growth and service as envisioned by the BSA to the communities we live in.”  Terrific job!

From the sound of things, Troop 348 has a great future and I want to commend their Scoutmaster, Stephan Zawadski, and his volunteers, as well as Scout Executive Ron Oats with the Central Florida Council for having such a great group of boys in their program.

Do you often find that some of the greatest stories of what you are trying to accomplish in your organizations start small and help build great futures?  I’d be interested in any similar experiences you’d like to share. And keep the great Scouting letters and photos coming!

More later!

Wayne