I was asked to give a speech at the 2008 Montana Council Dinner. This is a copy of the speech.
“I became a Tiger Cub in 1990. For the next 13 years my mother, father, and countless volunteers guided me through the Scouting program. Along the way I learned citizenship, outdoor skills, and leadership. In 2003 I received my Eagle. For most youth today Eagle means the end of the road. Not for me. I attained the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow in 2004 and in 2005 I went to Philmont Scout Ranch for Philbreak. This a spring break program for college aged youth where they pay $100 and do trail work all week. The work was rewarding and I returned to the ranch that summer to be a Ranger. After Philmont I was determined to become more active in scouting as an adult leader. I completed Woodbadge in 2006, Powderhorn in 2007 and I’m on staff for the fall Woodbadge course this year.
So why is it that I’m so active when most youth leave the program the day after their 18th birthday? Certainly he must not hear us when we tell him “getting your Eagle is the beginning of a long journey, not the end.” I think differently, he hears us but we do not follow through. Countless times we tell the youth there is still more to do, yet give him no responsibilities when he turns 18. Take this for an example.
When I returned from Philmont I was given the title “Assistant Scoutmaster.” At the second committee meeting I attended, the other adults were talking about their “big trip” for the year. Many wanted to raft the Missouri, but they had done that last year. One leader wanted to take a trip to Glacier NP, but most thought the boys probably have already been there. I spoke up and said Philmont would be a great choice. The scoutmaster at the time said “Isn’t there a two year waiting list”. I told him, yes there is a waiting list, but everyone has a chance to call in and get on the real list. Another adult asked about transportation. I mentioned a bus or even a van. After countless concerns and my quick responses for them all, do you think they enabled me to take on this task? No, they decided the big trip for the year was going to be car camping in Olympia NP.
Here were a dozen adults who did not want to give me responsibilities. They taught me countless lessons as a youth but yet failed to follow through. I had been to Philmont three times, driven there myself twice, and lived there for a whole summer. I felt confident I had the skills and experience to succeed. To them I was still a juvenile 21 year old.
After this experience, I left the troop and took leadership positions at the district level. For me this has been very rewarding. I have been given responsibilities and have met mentors who continue to guide and teach me. One such mentor encouraged me to apply for an international scouting trip. Last fall I was accepted to go to Kandersteg Switzerland for the first World Winter Scout Games. Never before has someone my age been selected as a leader for one of these trips. In February, I went to Switzerland and had a blast with 12 youth and another adult. This was no trip to Philmont, but I think I could handle that now too.
Youth today want to do things. This is evident in the amount of activities they take on. Baden Powell once said, “The more responsibility the Scoutmaster gives his patrol leaders, the more they will respond.” My message to you today is let these young adults do things, anything! Give them a chance to use the leadership skills you taught them. Mentor them, guide them, and great things will happen.”