Scoutmaster Minute
Happy New Year!
2013 is nearly just a memory. What a year we had! Back to Emerald Bay for summer camp, another Sierra Trek for both the younger and older scouts, snow camping, day hikes and overnights in abundance. We had 7 scouts age-out (six eagles and one life) and while we have lost some scouts, we’ve also added new younger faces to the troop.
And now 2014 is coming on, packed with another round of adventures for Troop 26; Death Valley, Canoeing on the Colorado, biking from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, summer camp and back to the Sierras. Wow, it sounds like a lot of challenges and a lot for fun.
The New Year brings changes, from a new Scout Master – yours truly – to new scouts and new places. But while some things change, some things stay the same.
Troop 26 is a fantastic troop with a history of excellence and a bright future fostered by a deep reserve of experienced adult leaders (nine including our east coast affiliate Dr. Stewart!), which provides a backbone that supports all of our undertakings. Our adult leaders include 4 District Award of Merit recipients, three silver Beaver Award recipients and one BSA 2010 Centennial Hall of Leadership Inductee. I’m not sure many other troops have that going for them.
Of course, I myself have the least experience in scouting – that is my challenge. What is your challenge for 2014? I hope you have at least one, and that you rise to the occasion.
Paul Johnson
Scout Master Troop 26
