Observations©

By Donald S. Conkey

Date: February 28, 2008 - # 8809 - Title: Scouting Leadership in District Strong (812)

In mid January Phil Karski, a local district scout commissioner, called and suggested that I should attend the upcoming Cherokee/Pickens annual district scouting awards banquet. Then another commissioner, John Mitchell, called to make sure I would wear my old worn out 1960s scout uniform. Not sure why I was being invited Joan and I agreed to attend. This would be my first evening outing since my accident over a year ago.

            Phil, along with Pam, his wife and our daughter, picked us up and drove us to one of the county’s premier affairs. The banquet was hosted by St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Woodstock. Nearly 100 were in attendance, all in their scout uniforms. It was an impressive sight to behold. These are the tireless volunteers who make positive change in the lives of those thousands of boys they serve locally. There purpose: to strengthen the scouting program here in the Cherokee/Pickens Scouting District.  

            This annual banquet gives recognition to those unselfish adult leaders that give thousands of hours of service to the local scouting program. In addition to the awards for active adult involvement the national scouting office provides an award for those now less active but have contributed “years” of service to the scouting movement. It is the “Veterans Award,” and I was to receive this years Veteran’s Award for my 35 years of service to scouting.

            The morning after the banquet George Lingefelt of Hickory Flats called to congratulate me on receiving this award. George is 85 and slightly bent with age. But he is still involved in scouting, probably more so than me. Another commonality we have is that we were both graduates of the nation’s 4/H program, a program established for rural youth, George in Cherokee County, me in Michigan. And we both began our scouting service in the 60s, George in 1963, me in 1965. George’s first role was as scoutmaster as was mine.

Perhaps the hardest volunteer role to fill is that of a scoutmaster. To be a scoutmaster requires that something special that all boys crave in their leader – an unselfish love for them. And it’s hard and tough work. But the rewards are great, especially when you watch a boy, perhaps a son or a grandson, climb that Eagle ladder and see his mother pin that coveted Eagle pin on her son and then watch the son pin the mother’s Eagle pin on her. It will bring a tear, even to the most hard-hearted.

Following my visit with George my mind began to wander back over the years bringing to mind powerful memories, memories that can make an old man smile. Raised in Michigan where there are no chiggers I still remember the day over 40 years ago when I met my first chigger. It was at the Bert Adams Boy Scout camp near Eatonton. Anxious to show off my ‘Dutch-Oven’ cooking skills I went looking for black-berries in the woods. I found black-berries alright, but they came with chiggers.

I spent a miserable week trying many remedies to take away the swelling and itch. I stuck it out but I never made that mistake again.

Bruce Ellis was one of ‘my success scouts.’ Bruce has lived what he learned in scouting. Today he is my financial advisor along with many other local clients. Ironically he was one of only two boys I had to send home for misbehaving at camp. And today both of those boys are strong vibrant leaders in their chosen professions, their communities, and in their church and families. I reflect on this irony often, pleased I had the opportunity to serve as their scoutmaster and watching them grow into manhood and to witness their life- long commitment to their families, community and God.

In 2006 I watched six boys in my current troop, 637, attain the rank of Eagle. And three of these new Eagles either are now serving or plan to serve a two year church-service mission. Last year was a lean Eagle year for troop 637 but 2008 will be another good year for Eagle advancements. Daniel Vicznesky, son of Scott and Star, became an Eagle in January. His brother Chris is one merit-badge and project from his, with four other boys working towards their Eagle this year. Encouraging boys to attain this difficult goal in today’s world requires a strong organization and commitment by a lot of people, including their parents.  

Never in my wildest dreams in 1965, when chiggers and I first met, could I have foreseen the joy and pleasant memories I would have in my twilight years from serving a bunch of young boys and watching them successfully make that difficult transition from a gangling boy to true manhood.

And I think fellow Veteran Scouter George Lingefelt would, like me, do it all over again. Scouting provides life with both purpose and meaning.