Scouting: Ready, Set, Grow!!

​September started up just as August ended - full of Scouting. We started out the month by hosting the annual James J Hill Coaster Cart derby, running a 'Find out about Scouting' booth with floating archery targets and Marching in the Parade - all in 1 weekend! Then it was off to Wayzata beach for our next 2 Troop meetings - Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) & Canoe races. In-between our 2 meetings, we camped out between the storms and had a great canoeing and exploration weekend at Camp Sacajawea. The next weekend found us helping out the American Legion dispose of flags that were worn beyond repair. Then we started our annual fund raisers of selling popcorn and wreaths closing with a our monthly Troop Leader Meeting (TLM) where we worked on our leadership roles and planned out our October Troop meetings and events.
 
Feeling tired yet? Well, if so, I hope you take this weekend to rest and reflect because our year is truly just getting underway. I was asked this month why do we do so much? Partly we do Scouting a lot because the Scouts want to get out and have fun. Partly we do Scouting a lot because getting out and doing is what boys need and want to do. But I think mostly we get out and do Scouting a lot because we are asked and called to do so.
 
Take for example part of our Mission in the Boy Scouts - to teach and embody citizenship. I,for one, had never been part of an official flag disposal ceremony - how sad given I've been a US Citizen for over 44 years and son of a retired Army Officer (as well as an Eagle Scout.) Take leadership - how many of our Scouts at school or in sports get to plan, set-up and run a 2-night program for over 40 peers? So, why would we not get out and do more Scouting? Take self-development - where else can a boy go to plan, execute and reflect on a project where he led 10+ peers in community service?
 
If a person is not growing in some way, likely he is shrinking. So too does it go with Scouting. What are you doing to hone your Scout skills? How are you becoming a better leader? Who are you bringing into our Scouting family? Let's see how we can all grow in October to continue to do a lot of Scouting. Although the weather and trees tell us fall is here, Scouting continues to Spring forth with new growth and opportunity at every corner
 
I look forward to seeing each of you at a our Troop meeting, our Roundtable, our camp-out and our University of Scouting!
 
Yours in Scouting,
Scoutmaster Smith