Scoutmaster Minute, 30 September 2025

In his inauguration address in 1932, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Many of you have heard this quote and are aware of FDR's daunting task at the time of bringing America out of the Great Depression. What is less quoted, but arguably as important is the definition of fear that he gives in that same speech, calling it "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Now fear is an interesting thing, as it creates a barrier to getting stuff done. Likewise, it is important to note, as FDR said, how often fear is irrational. I'll give you two examples of how this is so.

In a previous job, we were constructing a large building with a plexiglass wall that gave a view from the top layer all the way to the basement – six stories in all. Do you know that many people would not walk close to the glass wall because of the fear of heights and falling? We solved this problem by installing a waist-high decal stripe on the glass, giving the appearance of a rail, yet with no change to the structural integrity of the glass wall at all. Amazingly, more people would walk close to the wall because their minds perceived it differently, thinking it more solid. Now consider this past weekend and the irrational fear of sleeping in a lean-to instead of sleeping in a tent. A tent is a thin fabric barrier between you and the outdoors and some of you have over 100 nights sleeping in a tent. Yet when imaginations run wild about what creatures are out and about, that tent is a safe zone, just like that sticker on the plexiglass wall, when in fact, it is not much different than sleeping in an open shelter.

The key to overcoming fear is to employ rational thought and to train to build confidence. This is the foundation of bravery. Continue to challenge yourself. Think: "why am I afraid?" If it is a lack of a certain skill, do something about it. If it is illogical, do a gut check. Do not let fear paralyze you and keep you from being the best version of yourself.

A Scout is Brave

Scoutmaster Minute— September 23, 2025

I had a friend tell me is I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. I sat and I thought about and it didn't resonate with me.

Life has challenges and obstacles. In the past 3 years I can name lots of things that have been very difficult and challenging to deal with both personally and professionally. The degree of which varies greatly. Sometimes it has been a series of difficult obstacles which have been mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing.

It's all about the perspective you have and how you meet that moment.

Recognizing you're being challenged is good. Saying to yourself ok this is hard allows to to figure out your response. Meeting the moment with tenacity, a sense of unwillingness to give in and to be brave to accomplish the difficult task ahead is where good things happen.

You might gain some new knowledge you're able to pass on to someone. You end up with a great story about something really cool and hard you did. You discover the kindness of the people you surround yourself with.

The next time something is really difficult or challenging meet the moment with bravery to see the challenge all the way through.

A scout is Brave.

Scoutmaster Minute -- 16 September 2025

The old saying goes, 'a friend in need is a friend indeed.' What it means is that when you are facing hardship in life, the real friend is the one who is there, who answers the phone, who makes the trip to see you, and who checks on you. The opposite of this is the 'fair-weather friend,' who is arguably no friend at all. This is the person who will be your friend if you are paying for things, when you have tickets to a concert or amusement park, when you have pizza or ice cream, or something like that. It is a conditional relationship built on what that fake 'friend' can gain from you. A true friend is unconditional. This friend has seen you at your best and your worst and remains your friend regardless. I encourage you to be that friend to someone, or many people. Be the true friend that others can count on, rain or shine – thick or thin. Often when you are that friend to someone, you get the same in return.

A Scout is Friendly and a Scout is Loyal.

Scoutmaster Minute- August 26,2025

We find ourselves again in a season of change. A few leaves have started to change color and fall to the ground. A reminder that cooler weather and nights will be here sooner rather than later.

The yellow jackets and wasps busy themselves with eating bits of wood because their nests have reached peak population. You will also notice they are more aggressive and ornery then usual because food sources have begun to dwindle.

Monarch butterflies are beginning to emerge from their cocoons. They will soon begin their migration south for the winter. Traveling thousands of miles south to Mexico.

The man-made world reflects the changes occurring in the natural world around us. The changes we will undoubtedly notice in the coming months will be reflected out in nature and within out man-made structures.

Cooler air in the mornings and the evenings scattered at first then becoming more consistent. Followed by the green leaves giving way to red, orange, and yellow hues. Slowly you will see the regular flavors of your favorite foods slowly give way to the force only know as Pumpkin Spice.

Are there adults in your life who are a little more ornery than usual now that school is back in session. The hustle and bustle of schedules at max capacity has begun again as after school activities occupy calendar space that was blank just weeks before.

Do you have adults in your life that talk about spending their time in the winter months in warmer places?

This week I encourage you to go outside into nature to observe the changes occurring around you. Take a moment to notice plants beginning to go dormant. Squirrels scurrying from yard to yard to gather nuts. Feel the cool morning air on your skin. Breathe in the crisp coolness and hold it in your lungs allowing the cool air to fill your lungs completely.

Enter this season of change with a sense of wonder and excitement of what you might discover.

A Scout is Reverent.

Scoutmaster Minute, 2 September 2025

As a Scoutmaster, I draw energy from other Scoutmasters and Scouters.  For this week's Scoutmaster Minute, I found inspiration from a fellow Scoutmaster in Connecticut.  Tonight, I co-opt the theme of his message to deliver a minute to you. 

We are at a time when we are preparing for Survival Island.  Once on the island, we will practice starting a fire three different ways without using matches or a lighter.  Whether using flint and steel, a magnifying glass, a nine-volt battery and steel wool, rubbing two sticks together or some other method, we quickly learn that beyond the spark, we must be ready.  Our tinder must be at hand, along with kindling and other wood of various sizes.  To the spark we must introduce more air and more fuel, carefully nursing the initial combustion to create a fire that will sustain. 

Friendships are like fire.  We experience an initial spark when we meet someone who we share interests with, one that we find conversation and fellowship compelling.  Yet friendships involve maintenance, nurturing with further conversation -- being a friend not only in good times, but also in bad.  Like adding sticks to the fire, we also introduce our new friends to our existing friends.  This does not diminish our friendships; this only multiplies our circle of friends just like adding more wood to the fire increases the flame.  Just as one must tend to the fire, one must keep checking on his or her friends to maintain those friendships.  Like that fire, sometimes when a friend goes quiet is when he or she needs us most.

I encourage you to build and maintain the fires of friendship.  Just as the flames of the campfire create warmth and enrich our outdoor experience, our friendships sustain us and serve as the building blocks of a thriving community.

 A Scout is Friendly.