Make the Most of Right Now

The end of summer is a bittersweet time of year.

Hopefully you have adventures to look back on, a bank of memories of free time spent creatively. Perhaps our programs had a hand in taking you camping with friends and family or to summer camp to explore new landscapes and skills. I hope you fit in some outdoor adventures, but regardless of how you spent your time, I hope you made the most of it.

Summer is a lot like childhood. As a young person, it’s a fleeting opportunity to devote yourself to pursuits of your own choosing, to learn outside of the confines of curriculum and to revel in unburdened time. We often say in Scouting that there is a small window to make a meaningful impact on children and shape who they may become as adults. When opportunity is limited, it’s critical that we make the most of it right now.

In Scouting, we aim to use that window to provide young people with experiences they can’t get anywhere else that will help prepare them for life. By building a strong foundation of character, education and leadership skills, I believe we can set young people up for long-term success. Part of doing that is creating year-round opportunities for young people to self-direct their activities. That’s why we leave room for choosing merit badges to pursue, selecting career experiences to try or opting in to outdoor activities. It’s all a chance for young people to take their own lead, face new challenges and learn positive values in the process.

Whether you are a current Scout, an adult volunteer, a parent or someone curious to see what Scouting has to offer, I hope you approach the start of the school year as a time of opportunity. Invite your friends to try out Scouting with you or volunteer to take on a new role where you might step out of your comfort zone.

Like most things, you get out of Scouting what you put into it.

Let’s approach this new school year reinvigorated!

Yours in Scouting,

Mike