It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. That is the philosophy of Troop 85 and is where the real lessons are learned. At face value, perhaps, the boys see an event as described on paper. But a trip to the top of Whiteface Mountain, for example, is not just a hike in the Adirondacks. It’s a chance to push them to do something remarkable through teamwork and determination. Sure, when they return home, they may only talk excitedly about the view from the top or complain about how tired they were, but what they may not ever mention are the things that I saw. I saw an older scout extending his hand to a younger Scout and helping him up and over a particularly tough obstacle. I saw Scouts encouraging each other on the final ascent - providing advice as to which rocks to step on and how to best use the ropes. I don’t believe that the boys are blind to these things; they just may not be as aware of how much progress they have made both as individuals and as a team when they do those things. So many of our events carry with them a sort of ulterior motive or “moral to the story” that allows them to really grow and mature over time. They learn by doing, by experiencing these tasks hands-on. When we canoe down the river, it’s not a canoe trip. It’s rather a challenge to put to use all the things they have learned about safe travel on the water and communication skills. A caving trip (and I don’t mean a tour cave, like Howe Caverns, but real spelunking) helps with decision making and trusting the person in front of them. Even the trip into Toronto to see the Hockey Hall of Fame and Royal Ontario Museum was more useful as a lesson in urban planning and mass transit; most Scouts had never been on a real subway before. They were able to both see the effectiveness of reliable public transportation as well as relinquish some fears of being in a big city. Everything has a lesson and, in the end, they are stronger for it.
Think about these things the next time Scouts go camping. Think about what they are learning and how it might impact them outside of Scouting. Yes, they and we want it to be fun. Yes, they choose all their own events based on what interests them. But it’s those pearls of wisdom that accompany all of our trips are the icing on the cake. We need to be sensitive to that and allow them their space to really develop the characteristics of teamwork, independence, creative problem solving, patrol unity, and citizenship. Remember, your boys are not only six or seven years away from kindergarten, they are also six or seven years away from college. Many others will be in college in just two to three years. The more experiences they have and the more freedom they are given to do so will prepare them for the next chapters of their lives and the adulthood that grows closer every day.
The journey continues….
- Steve Dubois
Eagle Scout Steve Dubois is now entering his 33rd year with Troop 85 and his 19th as Scoutmaster. Mr. Dubois is commonly known to everyone - including the youth - as just “Steve.” He is an exhibiting painter, professional graphic artist, and an amateur astronomer who frequently gives presentations at the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at Buffalo State College. He currently resides in Williamsville, New York.
Steve is Wood Badge trained (the only vigorous, uniform adult leader training internationally) and has been awarded the Scouter's Award, Training Award, Scouter's Key, District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver. He has also served on two Wood Badge staffs and is a James E. West Fellow. In 2011, Stephen was named one of the Top 50 Scoutmasters in the nation and attended the National Conference of the BSA in San Diego. Regarded by the Greater Niagara Frontier Council as a valuable asset to the Scouting organization, Troop 85 is thankful and honored to have him as the Scoutmaster.