As we close out this 2025 holiday season, let's talk about presents. One of the best presents you can give is presence. Spend time with mom and dad. Spend time with siblings. Be there for your friends. Unplug from the screens and plug into your relationships. Our time with one another is fleeting so let's make the most of what we have.
A Scout is Loyal. A Scout is Kind.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute — December 16, 2025
There are a couple of things that I have come across or happened in the past couple of days that have really made an imprint on me in the last couple of days that I would like to share with you.
The first is the story of a retired police office who converted an old hotel shuttle into a mobile laundry facility.After retiring as a canine officer he wanted to continue to serve his community. He drives around Frederick, MD to where unhoused folks live to wash, dry and fold their laundry. Providing the service of clean laundry to the unhoused people within his community allows them to feel better about them selves and be comfortable in the clothes they are wearing.
The second came as a total surprise this afternoon. My youngest son has been sick and we don't know why, which is frustrating. This afternoon a folder of cards from his classmates was delivered to our house. Card after card telling him how much he was missed, how the D&D campaigns was going, about Stranger Things, and how school has been boring without him. Sitting there watching him open and read the cards I saw some brightness come back.
What may seem to be a small act can have a huge impact on the people. As we enter into the darker parts of the year with less day light each day, be the light in someone's day with an act of kindness. One small act can have a huge impact.
A scout is kind.
The first is the story of a retired police office who converted an old hotel shuttle into a mobile laundry facility.After retiring as a canine officer he wanted to continue to serve his community. He drives around Frederick, MD to where unhoused folks live to wash, dry and fold their laundry. Providing the service of clean laundry to the unhoused people within his community allows them to feel better about them selves and be comfortable in the clothes they are wearing.
The second came as a total surprise this afternoon. My youngest son has been sick and we don't know why, which is frustrating. This afternoon a folder of cards from his classmates was delivered to our house. Card after card telling him how much he was missed, how the D&D campaigns was going, about Stranger Things, and how school has been boring without him. Sitting there watching him open and read the cards I saw some brightness come back.
What may seem to be a small act can have a huge impact on the people. As we enter into the darker parts of the year with less day light each day, be the light in someone's day with an act of kindness. One small act can have a huge impact.
A scout is kind.
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute -- 9 December 2025
When I was a young man, a much older gentleman told me that he learned something new each day. He stated, "when I cease to learn, I will lose the reason to live." This sentiment stuck to me, and I endeavored to be a life-long learner. This meant self-paced learning from books and later software or on-line sources and taking advantage of courses and classes offered to me. This later paid off in a big way as two of the courses I took when I was in my early twenties provided the necessary qualifications and edge to secure key jobs in my forties.
Flash forward to now. This past weekend I had to take a Scout leader class on how to be a better trainer as it is a prerequisite for me to serve on the staff of an upcoming Wood Badge Course. I was not looking forward to this class because it was scheduled to be all day on Saturday and I wanted some time off. Yet, as I got into the course, I again found joy in learning. I was reminded of the sage wisdom of this gentleman from so long ago and reminded myself of the privilege that I had to be privy this information needed to better hone my skills in instructing.
We live in a time where knowledge is accessible on an unparalleled basis. In many cases, ignorance boils down to personal choice. All one needs is the judgement to discern what is coming from a verifiable source as truth and that what is fiction, a misinterpretation, or an outright lie. I challenge you to continue to better yourself and seek out opportunities to expand your horizons. Remember the two stars on the Scout badge – Truth and Knowledge.
On my honor, I will do my best.
Flash forward to now. This past weekend I had to take a Scout leader class on how to be a better trainer as it is a prerequisite for me to serve on the staff of an upcoming Wood Badge Course. I was not looking forward to this class because it was scheduled to be all day on Saturday and I wanted some time off. Yet, as I got into the course, I again found joy in learning. I was reminded of the sage wisdom of this gentleman from so long ago and reminded myself of the privilege that I had to be privy this information needed to better hone my skills in instructing.
We live in a time where knowledge is accessible on an unparalleled basis. In many cases, ignorance boils down to personal choice. All one needs is the judgement to discern what is coming from a verifiable source as truth and that what is fiction, a misinterpretation, or an outright lie. I challenge you to continue to better yourself and seek out opportunities to expand your horizons. Remember the two stars on the Scout badge – Truth and Knowledge.
On my honor, I will do my best.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute-- December 2, 2025
We all have different roles and responsibilities, depending on what part of our day we are in. You all have roles and responsibilities with school and your schoolwork. When you are at home, you have different roles and responsibilities as a member of your family doing chores, taking care of animals, helping out with younger siblings, helping out with older siblings, etc. Myself as an adult I have different roles and responsibilities here I'm a scoutmaster, at home I'm a parent, and at work I'm the owner of a small business. Each of the roles we have throughout our day comes with different responsibilities and expectations as we go through our day.
In the performance of our duties in these various roles, it's easy to fall into the pattern of getting things done and everything being similar day today. While we go about fulfilling our duties we may no think much of it.
Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you told a teacher that you appreciate them? When was the last time you told your parent you appreciated them cooking dinner, giving you a ride? Showing appreciation for the people you interact with is important. Telling people I appreciate you means that you see the work and effort they put in and it's valued.
As you move through your week this next upcoming week, let the people around you know that you appreciate them and the work that they are doing. As you move through life and take on leadership roles. I want you to remember to appreciate and recognize the work of the people around you.
A Scout is Courteous.
In the performance of our duties in these various roles, it's easy to fall into the pattern of getting things done and everything being similar day today. While we go about fulfilling our duties we may no think much of it.
Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you told a teacher that you appreciate them? When was the last time you told your parent you appreciated them cooking dinner, giving you a ride? Showing appreciation for the people you interact with is important. Telling people I appreciate you means that you see the work and effort they put in and it's valued.
As you move through your week this next upcoming week, let the people around you know that you appreciate them and the work that they are doing. As you move through life and take on leadership roles. I want you to remember to appreciate and recognize the work of the people around you.
A Scout is Courteous.
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