I am excited to see my resident chipmunk. 'Mini-bears' as we sometimes call them are scarce in the winter. Yet unlike bears and groundhogs, they do not hibernate. They go into a lighter dormancy called 'torpor.' In torpor, chipmunks drop their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature to conserve energy in the cold. Every few days they wake to eat, warm up, and relieve themselves of waste. This period of torpor lasts roughly from October to mid-March. Now that the weather is finally mostly nice, I can count on seeing my chipmunk running around the yard.
Like that chipmunk, it is time we transition from torpor. We need to leave the burrows of our home and run around outside, enjoying the sun's warmth and breathing fresh air. Yet some people live in a permanent state of torpor, rarely leaving the comfort of four walls and a roof. As such, they miss both the beauty and the benefits of the outdoors. This is very unhealthy; it leads to a shorter lifespan marked by missed opportunities. Don't let this be you. This is the season of rebirth – seize the day!
I will keep myself physically strong.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Scoutmaster Minute— 3.17.26
This year we have welcomed 31 new scouts across both troops. We now have a large number of scouts. All of you are leaders regardless of rank.
All of you serve as roll models and leaders to people outside this Troop. You also serve as a role models to Cub Scouts and younger siblings.
If you have earned the Scout Rank please take one step forward. You can help new scouts get orientated at a meeting. You can show them where the bathroom is. Make them feel welcome and let them know you are glad they are here.
If you have earned Tenderfoot please take one step forward. You have been camping with the troop. You can assist new scouts with what they need to do when they first get to the campsite. You can lend a hand if they get stuck putting up a tent.
If you have earned Second Class please take one step forward. You can assist if there is a first aid need that comes up. You have the ability and skills to demonstrate your knowledge.
If you have earned First Class please take one step forward. You are considered an older scout. You have the ability to sign off on requirements for scouts. You help scouts learn those basic Scout skills.
If you you have earned the rank of Star please take one step forward. You are honing your leadership skills. You may be serving in an elected leadership position. You are actively involved in teaching scouts skills and setting the example of what leadership looks like.
If you have earned the rank of Life please take one step forward. You have successfully served in a leadership role in the Troop for 6 months. You are continuing to serve as a leader in the Troop. You are a scout who younger scouts look up to.
If you have earned the rank of Eagle please take one step forward. You have lead your peers and adults through a service project. You have demonstrated you leadership ability. You are able to act as a peer mentor to the other Scouts in the troop.
Look at the scouts that lay before you and after you. You all are the troop. You are responsible and accountable to each other. Scouts who are father along on their journey you have the responsibility to help the scouts behind you. For those of you just starting on your journey, you have the responsibility to be your best advocate. Ask questions when you need help. Learn to lean on the resources and the people around you. Leadership can come from anywhere.
A scout is Helpful.
All of you serve as roll models and leaders to people outside this Troop. You also serve as a role models to Cub Scouts and younger siblings.
If you have earned the Scout Rank please take one step forward. You can help new scouts get orientated at a meeting. You can show them where the bathroom is. Make them feel welcome and let them know you are glad they are here.
If you have earned Tenderfoot please take one step forward. You have been camping with the troop. You can assist new scouts with what they need to do when they first get to the campsite. You can lend a hand if they get stuck putting up a tent.
If you have earned Second Class please take one step forward. You can assist if there is a first aid need that comes up. You have the ability and skills to demonstrate your knowledge.
If you have earned First Class please take one step forward. You are considered an older scout. You have the ability to sign off on requirements for scouts. You help scouts learn those basic Scout skills.
If you you have earned the rank of Star please take one step forward. You are honing your leadership skills. You may be serving in an elected leadership position. You are actively involved in teaching scouts skills and setting the example of what leadership looks like.
If you have earned the rank of Life please take one step forward. You have successfully served in a leadership role in the Troop for 6 months. You are continuing to serve as a leader in the Troop. You are a scout who younger scouts look up to.
If you have earned the rank of Eagle please take one step forward. You have lead your peers and adults through a service project. You have demonstrated you leadership ability. You are able to act as a peer mentor to the other Scouts in the troop.
Look at the scouts that lay before you and after you. You all are the troop. You are responsible and accountable to each other. Scouts who are father along on their journey you have the responsibility to help the scouts behind you. For those of you just starting on your journey, you have the responsibility to be your best advocate. Ask questions when you need help. Learn to lean on the resources and the people around you. Leadership can come from anywhere.
A scout is Helpful.
Monday, March 9, 2026
Scoutmaster Minute -- 10 March 2026
Sometimes analogies create lasting impressions. Twenty-five years ago I was sitting in an Officer Professional Development session in Kosovo hosted by our brigade commander. During the session, a fellow officer lamented about a recent Army decision that was unpopular. Our brigade commander delivered a response that has stuck with me to this day. He said that we were like ships moving on open water. We cannot change what is in front of us, yet our movement across the water creates a wake and that wake gets increasingly larger as it emanates outward. Like that ship moving, often we do not have the power to change what is in front of us, but we do have considerable influence on those who we train, coach, teach, mentor and lead. This is a true ripple effect and this is how we affect change.
Oftentimes when we talk of loyalty, we speak to loyalty to the powers that be – government, parents, schoolteachers, coaches, scoutmaster, senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, etc. We are reminded that loyalty is a two-way street and we should also be loyal to those we lead. This means presence and investment in training, counseling, feedback, and assurances, as well as providing the necessities for success.
It is important to be aware of events happening around you, but I submit that stressing about things one cannot control is not healthy. Instead, one should focus on what he or she can control and make positive change. When in a leadership position, this includes putting those who you lead above yourself and ensuring they are developed to make right and ethical decisions and become positive influences themselves. This is how the world becomes a better place.
A Scout is Loyal.
Oftentimes when we talk of loyalty, we speak to loyalty to the powers that be – government, parents, schoolteachers, coaches, scoutmaster, senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, etc. We are reminded that loyalty is a two-way street and we should also be loyal to those we lead. This means presence and investment in training, counseling, feedback, and assurances, as well as providing the necessities for success.
It is important to be aware of events happening around you, but I submit that stressing about things one cannot control is not healthy. Instead, one should focus on what he or she can control and make positive change. When in a leadership position, this includes putting those who you lead above yourself and ensuring they are developed to make right and ethical decisions and become positive influences themselves. This is how the world becomes a better place.
A Scout is Loyal.
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Scoutmaster Minute— 3.03.2026
I was at a Cub Scout meeting the other day. I was wearing my Den Leader uniform. A Tiger scout looked up at me and asked "Are you an Eagle Scout?" I looked back at them and said "No, I'm not an Eagle Scout. When I was your age girls weren't allowed to join." Internally I felt a familiar pang of sadness that I have felt many times over my Scouting career as an adult.
It is the same sadness that I feel when they ask anyone who has reached the rank of Eagle to come forward. It's a feeling of sadness that comes with being told you are less than because of qualities and characteristics beyond your control. It's the internalized feeling of being unworthy because you have been told you can't because "You're a girl".
My sister wrote a letter to The Boy Scouts of America petitioning for girls to be able to join in 1998. They responded to her letter with a polite no. My sister isn't the first person to petition for female participation in this Scouting program. In 2019 females were finally allowed to participate in the Scouting program and provided the opportunity to be able to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
In the fall of 2018 my oldest son, Nicholas, joined Cub Scouts as a Wolf. That fall I went camping in a tent for the first time in my life. I was 36 years old. As Nicholas learned outdoor skills I was there right beside him learning. We have been camping together more times than I have fingers and toes.
As Nicholas has progressed with is Scouting and so have I. Over the years I have become more and more involved as an Adult Scouter. I love all the things that I have learned in Scouting. I have learned how to tie a half hitch. I can confidently and easily start a fire. I can identify at least 10 plants when out hiking. I can identify animal tracks and signs of animals out in the wilderness. I spent 12 days backpacking through the New Mexico backcountry.
Today I stand before you as a Scoutmaster of a Girls BSA Troop, who does not have any daughters. I have two children, both are male.
The reason why I became a Scoutmaster is that I believe that Scouting America offers an amazing program. I'm here to provide the opportunity my sister and I weren't allowed to have. I'm here to support you in all of the adventures and opportunities that come your way. I'm here to encourage to you to grow in your confidence, encourage you to take up space and use your voice. I'm here to help as you to learn how to lead. I'm here so that you are supported, safe, and loved on this journey. Know that all of you belong here and are welcomed here however you show up.
I am here to make sure when you have a Cub Scout look up at you and ask "Were you in scouts when you were a kid?" You're able to respond back with a really big smile and say "Yes, I was! It was really fun!"
It is the same sadness that I feel when they ask anyone who has reached the rank of Eagle to come forward. It's a feeling of sadness that comes with being told you are less than because of qualities and characteristics beyond your control. It's the internalized feeling of being unworthy because you have been told you can't because "You're a girl".
My sister wrote a letter to The Boy Scouts of America petitioning for girls to be able to join in 1998. They responded to her letter with a polite no. My sister isn't the first person to petition for female participation in this Scouting program. In 2019 females were finally allowed to participate in the Scouting program and provided the opportunity to be able to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
In the fall of 2018 my oldest son, Nicholas, joined Cub Scouts as a Wolf. That fall I went camping in a tent for the first time in my life. I was 36 years old. As Nicholas learned outdoor skills I was there right beside him learning. We have been camping together more times than I have fingers and toes.
As Nicholas has progressed with is Scouting and so have I. Over the years I have become more and more involved as an Adult Scouter. I love all the things that I have learned in Scouting. I have learned how to tie a half hitch. I can confidently and easily start a fire. I can identify at least 10 plants when out hiking. I can identify animal tracks and signs of animals out in the wilderness. I spent 12 days backpacking through the New Mexico backcountry.
Today I stand before you as a Scoutmaster of a Girls BSA Troop, who does not have any daughters. I have two children, both are male.
The reason why I became a Scoutmaster is that I believe that Scouting America offers an amazing program. I'm here to provide the opportunity my sister and I weren't allowed to have. I'm here to support you in all of the adventures and opportunities that come your way. I'm here to encourage to you to grow in your confidence, encourage you to take up space and use your voice. I'm here to help as you to learn how to lead. I'm here so that you are supported, safe, and loved on this journey. Know that all of you belong here and are welcomed here however you show up.
I am here to make sure when you have a Cub Scout look up at you and ask "Were you in scouts when you were a kid?" You're able to respond back with a really big smile and say "Yes, I was! It was really fun!"
Monday, March 2, 2026
Scoutmaster Minute -- 23 February 2026
If you study Ancient Greek mythology or theater, you will encounter the term 'hubris.' Hubris has come to mean excessive confidence or pride, and arrogance. Hubris can cause a person to do foolish things.
I recently thought about this because I was listening to song that I recognized from the original Karate Kid soundtrack. The song is called "You're the Best" and the chorus states: "You're the best! Around! Nothing's gonna ever keep you down." I argue that this is a bad message, but a message that is too often repeated and it leads to overconfidence, and overconfidence leads to failure. This overconfidence is fed by input – moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, friends and fans telling us, "oh, you are the best." Unfortunately, statistically this is simply not true. If you play a sport, you discover quickly that there is always someone quicker, stronger, or more skilled. Likewise for scholastic competitions and mock trial teams – someone is smarter or quicker with an answer. It is humbling.
Back to Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (the Karate Kid) was not the best. Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai was bigger, stronger and more experienced, but he had hubris and Daniel trained harder and tried harder. This is the key to victory – not to be overconfident and believe you can, but to do the things to win. Do not get caught up in the hype that you are the best, rather do the things that cause you to be the best version of you. In Cub Scouts, we recited the motto of "Do Your Best" and across Scouting we pledge our honor to do our best when we say the Scout Oath. We do not say that we are the best. Scouting's founder Baden-Powell said, "We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it." Do your best, but stay humble.
On my honor, I will do my best.
I recently thought about this because I was listening to song that I recognized from the original Karate Kid soundtrack. The song is called "You're the Best" and the chorus states: "You're the best! Around! Nothing's gonna ever keep you down." I argue that this is a bad message, but a message that is too often repeated and it leads to overconfidence, and overconfidence leads to failure. This overconfidence is fed by input – moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, friends and fans telling us, "oh, you are the best." Unfortunately, statistically this is simply not true. If you play a sport, you discover quickly that there is always someone quicker, stronger, or more skilled. Likewise for scholastic competitions and mock trial teams – someone is smarter or quicker with an answer. It is humbling.
Back to Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso (the Karate Kid) was not the best. Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai was bigger, stronger and more experienced, but he had hubris and Daniel trained harder and tried harder. This is the key to victory – not to be overconfident and believe you can, but to do the things to win. Do not get caught up in the hype that you are the best, rather do the things that cause you to be the best version of you. In Cub Scouts, we recited the motto of "Do Your Best" and across Scouting we pledge our honor to do our best when we say the Scout Oath. We do not say that we are the best. Scouting's founder Baden-Powell said, "We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it." Do your best, but stay humble.
On my honor, I will do my best.
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