Parents who are looking for a rewarding opportunity for their children to achieve goals and reach their full potential might want to consider a time-tested option — participation in the Boy Scouts.
Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has enhanced the lives of more than 110 million young men who grew up to become some of the nation’s top leaders in fields as diverse as government, law enforcement, business and medicine.
In addition, men who grew up as Boy Scouts are often recognized as upstanding individuals. This view is in no doubt fostered by the numerous social values that Scouts learn such as honesty, loyalty, kindness, compassion, courage and courtesy, among others.
Health care executive Sam Odle understands how much of a difference being a Boy Scout can make in the life of a child. Currently, he is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Clarian Health Partners, which oversees Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children.
Odle, however, grew up in a neighborhood where neither success nor safety were guaranteed, and some of the people he knew from childhood ended up dropping out of school, or being incarcerated or killed as adults.
“I noticed that everyone in our scouting troop, on the other hand, grew up to be productive, contributing citizens in the community,” said Odle. “I think it’s because we got that values based experience, positive adult mentoring and the opportunity to develop leadership skills that scouting provided. The grace of God, a caring family and scouting got me where I’m at today.”
Odle is one of many people who can claim personal benefits from experience as a Boy Scout, and would like to see today’s children enjoy those same benefits. Clarian Health is now one of several community partners that are working to help get more kids enrolled in the Crossroads of America Council, which oversees Boy Scouts programs in Indiana.
Currently more than 35,000 children are involved in the Crossroads of America Council as members of Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops. Still, that number represents only 14 percent of available boys.
Scott Clabaugh, the council’s Scout executive, said local organizations and the general public are strongly encouraged to take a more active role in recruiting young men for scouting programs.
“We want the organizations because we need them to help us organize more scouting units, and we want the public because we need them to be looking for those units and to get their kids in scouting,” said Clabaugh.
Boy Scouts offers a series of engaging and fun programs for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership under the counsel of adult Scoutmasters.
Students begin the process in first grade as Cub Scouts then remain active as Boy Scouts from the fifth grade through their high school years.
Boy Scouts learn self-confidence by overcoming a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout himself plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. He is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. Ultimately, the steps in the advancement system also help him grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others with positive attributes that last a lifetime.
Scouts in Central Indiana can enjoy opportunities to participate in outdoor adventures and activities at three interactive camps, including Belzer Day Camp on the Northeastside of Indianapolis, Ransburg Scout Camp on Lake Monroe, one of the state’s largest lakes; and Camp Krietenstein in Terre Haute.
Scouts can also become eligible to participate in the Boys Scouts’ three national high adventure bases, including Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base and Northern Tier Canoe Base.
During their last year in high school and into college Scouts can participate in a program called Explore, which offers an opportunity for students to explore career options through internship programs at places such as law firms, medical facilities, corporations and other venues.
Fortunately several businesses, organizations and churches have already stepped up to the plate to sponsor new Boy Scout troops throughout the community.
One of the most recent examples include the Indianapolis branch of Buffalo Soldiers Ltd., a group that promotes the family sport of drag racing among African-Americans. Members of the group recently teamed up to present a cash donation to a fundraiser for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts at Unit 123, located at Greater Sanders Temple Church of God in Christ.
“As you can see one of our aims is to give back to the community we serve,” said Joe Bell of the Buffalo Soldiers. “We thought this would be a great effort on our part to not only let the community know we care but to help the Scouts.”
Gwen Bell, Willie Sanders and Nathan Williams, Cub and Scout Masters at Unit 123, were thankful for a $140 donation, which was made possible when individual Buffalo Soldiers members gave $20 during a presentation before 20 Scouts.
“We were pleased that this organization took the time to support our annual fundraiser,” said Bell. “We have had outdoor meetings in the past and we thought this would be a good way to show the community that there are groups that still are about Scouting.”
Thanks to sponsors such as Buffalo Soldiers and Lilly Endowment, Clabaugh noted, families with limited resources don’t have to let their financial situation discourage them from enrolling their child in Boys Scouts.
“They don’t have to worry if they can’t afford the fees or uniforms,” said Clabaugh. “We work in partnership with others. We don’t do anything alone. The idea of working with a local business or church or fraternal organization is a foundational building block for us.”
Whether an individual is called to work at one of several Scout camps, volunteer as a Scoutmaster or give as a sponsor, exciting opportunities are now available to help the children of today become the strong leaders of tomorrow.
For more information about the Boy Scouts and to find a troop near you, call (317) 925-1900 or log on to www.crossroadsbsa.org.
Note: This is the first in a series of upcoming articles highlighting the Boys Scouts’ contributions to the community.
