Commissioner's Corner

Scouting, the "Brain Child" of Baden Powell (BP), a British Cavalry Officer, began almost 100 years ago.  BP was a man with a simple idea - To Educate Youth.  He conceived a hands on program which emphasized adventure and the outdoors.  It was his hope that, with the sure and certain knowledge that today's youth (children like yours and mine) would be making tomorrow's decisions, a practical and fun program of adventure, discovery, fellowship and leadership, would truly help our kids make better ones.

The future of this enterprise is, however, in no way secured.  In spite of Scouting's global reach, it is truly a local affair for the youth and volunteers who participate in groups like ours here in Meadowvale.  Groups like ours can (and should) only exist with the support of the communities in which they operate.  Scouting will only continue in Meadowvale if the community wants it to.

The desire to have this program in our community is demonstrated and affirmed by volunteers who are willing to step up and help make it happen.

We will always have room for more volunteers.  When it comes right down to it, you must ask yourself one simple question.

"Is it important to have this program in MY community and available to MY child?"

If you answered yes, than I would really appreciate your help.  Give volunteering some thought.  Scouting in Meadowvale can only continue with the support of people like you.  BP wanted local communities to embrace Scouting as a means to better their citizens, with particular emphasis on the younger ones (our kids).

Our children's identities, their values, their ethics, the citizens we would ultimately like them to become rests with us.  Scouting can help our children get there as it has for so many others over the past almost 100 years.  Scouting can help our children become the kind of people we hope they will be, but for Scouting to help our kids, we must help Scouting.

BP put it best near the end of his life when he said, "The one part that I can claim as mine toward promoting the movement is that I have been lucky enough to find you men and women to form a group of the right stamp who can be relied upon to carry it on to its goal.  You will do well to keep your eyes open, in your turn, for worthy successors to whom you can, with confidence, pass the torch.  Don't let it become a salaried organization.  keep it a voluntary movement of service".

We need those volunteers, those worthy successors.  I hope you will give volunteering for a few hours a month your serious consideration.  If you are interested I encourage to call or write to me.  I know the kids in our community will be glad you did.