Scoutmaster Minute — September 24, 2024

Walking into a room full of scouts one of the first things you'll notice are the vibes. There is a tremendous amount of positive energy in one place. There is joy, laughter, great conversation, and new friendships forming. It's an awesome place to be.

The reason it's such a great place to be is because everyone is welcome. Scouting welcomes everyone regardless of religion, gender, race, orientation, or nationality. Scouting is made better by the diversity each of us brings. We all have something valuable and worthy to offer scouting.

Mr. Rogers said, "As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has- or ever will have- something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression"

It's your duty as scouts to help people at all times. As you grow in your leadership it's imperative that your actions and words create an environment that is open and welcoming to everyone. The longer you are in the troop and higher rank you achieve others look to you as a leader. All of you are leaders in the troop.

As a leader you set the standard for language and behavior in the troop. You are responsible for creating an environment that is welcoming for everyone regardless of religion, gender, race, orientation, or nationality.

As a leader it is incumbent upon you to be brave to speak up and speak out when a Scout's words and actions are not inline with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

A scout is kind in their words, courteous in their actions, and brave to speak up.

Scoutmaster Minute— September 17, 2024

In early September 2024, a visitor accidentally dropped a bag of Cheetos inside Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, which sparked unexpected consequences for the cave's delicate ecosystem. The Cheetos, softened by the cave's humidity, created an ideal environment for microbial and fungal growth. This prompted a temporary food web involving cave crickets, mites, spiders, and flies, disrupting the cave's fragile balance.

Such disruptions are especially impactful because caves are sensitive environments where organisms have adapted to survive with minimal nutrients, and introducing foreign elements can cause significant ecological shifts. Park rangers spent 20 minutes meticulously removing the Cheetos and molds from the cave surfaces.

We are about to endeavor out to Elm Island for our Survivor Island Campout. We should endeavor to leave the island better than we found it while upholding the 7 principles of Leave No Trace

Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others

A scout is clean.

Scoutmaster Minute-- September 10 2024

Mr. Henry last week touched on mental health. Mental health is an important part of your physical health. Your brain is an important part of your physical body. It is responsible for involuntary functions like your heart pumping, your lungs inhaling and exhaling, sending messages to and from different organs. It's also where all your thoughts and feelings live too. Mental health is a big part of physical health.

I stand before you as someone who actively takes care of their mental health. I have a therapist I talk to weekly and a psychiatrist I check in with every few months. They are key people who help keep me mental healthy.

There have been many times where my mental health hasn't been good and my physical health was affected. I didn't take care of my self: I didn't exercise, I didn't sleep well, I didn't eat well, and I didn't feel great inside my own body.

When these things happen I know my mental health needs attention. That tells me I'm really stressed, anxious, depressed or a combination of all of the above. So I have to remember to check in with myself and take care of myself. There are times where I all I need to do is go outside and go for a walk with my dog to reset. There are other times where I need more help and need to check in with my therapist or psychiatrist.

If you're not taking care of yourself, you're not sleeping well, you're not eating well, and you don't feel great inside your body.

Talk to someone about your mental health. See out the healthcare resources you need. If you need help navigating and finding resources I will be there to help you 100%.

The bravest thing you can do is ask for help.

I will do my best to keep myself physically strong and mentally awake.

Scoutmaster Minute - 3 September 2024

September is Suicide Awareness Month. It is not something that many are comfortable talking about. Yet, it is necessary because if you have not been affected thus far, the chances are that in your lifetime someone near to you will consider, attempt or commit suicide. With the loss of a friend, loved one or colleague, it is normal to experience survivor's guilt – 'what could I have done to stop this?' Ultimately, one must accept that he or she is not responsible, though I believe that we can play pivotal roles in preventing suicide. This means being there for others when they need us most. Life is hard and no man or woman is an island – we need one another to lean upon. Chances are high that each one of us will experience the feeling of helplessness at some point in our lives. Do not hesitate to reach out – there are people who care for you and will drop everything to be there in your time of need. If you ever want to talk to me, I pledge to be there for you. Likewise, I would hope that everyone here can count on you as well. As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

A Scout is Loyal.