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I have come to the halfway point of my first year as a professional with the Boy Scouts of America and I must say, I am one lucky guy.
I am lucky to be the District Executive of the Douglas Fir District, (Douglas County) for this is absolutely the preeminent district within the Oregon Trail Council.
Since November 2005, I have seen boys begin to turn into commendable young men. I have been privileged to see once shy boys become heroes and save lives. I have conversed with World War II veterans who were once Boy Scouts and learned how their First Aid merit badge saved their own life and others on a battlefield so many years later.
I have seen, how through the disguise of having fun, Boy Scout activities building character, ethics and principles that silently affect the youth of our county in ways that they would not experience otherwise. These very experiences will carry with them for the rest of their lives and will store in the back of their minds until their scout experience is needed in their own life.
Scouting is so much more than a camping trip, singing songs and having skits around a campfire, or working on a new merit badge. Scouting is expanding the young mind through challenges, growth through caring for others and pride in doing a project through to completion. And it is the volunteers who provide this to the youth of Douglas County by making it fun.
With nearly a thousand youth members and almost 400 adult volunteers, our district is the envy of all within the Council. Our volunteers are what make it happen. It is the giving of their time and energy to be there for the youth of Douglas County that makes my job so rewarding.
It is a true honor to be surrounded by such people as Chris, Mike, Steve, Russ, Joanne, Dave, Lyn, Kent, Kelsey, Jim, Cheryl, Jay, Becky, Fred, Sharon and Dawn and the hundreds of others scattered from Glendale to Elkton and from Glide to Camas Valley. It is these scoutmasters, den leaders, advisors and commissioners who is making the difference in the life a young person today providing a more positive and fulfilled life ahead.
Years from now, that troubled boy you may have today will remember you and think "my scoutmaster/den leader sure made a difference in my life." Though you may never hear it, he may remember you for how you have touched him in some way today.
Our volunteers don't just want the Boy Scout movement in Douglas County to just be good or better, they want our district to be the best. The 2005-2006 year showed the efforts that they put forth by setting records in so many areas, and 2006-2007 appears to have all the signs to be another banner year.
I have also been welcomed by so many within the business community, schools, service organizations and agencies throughout the county. It is more than apparent that the Boy Scouts of America is an honored organization to be associated with in this county. I thank all of you for your acceptance and continued support. Douglas County certainly is Scout Country!
Where are the scouts of Douglas County? They are members of the County Search and Rescue Team; Explorer Posts in the Glide, Drain and Tri-City Fire Stations; the Skate Churches of Roseburg and Myrtle Creek as well as the 45 Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops meeting in schools, churches and homes throughout the county. They are all around you.
Scouting is only the county's biggest secret and we are just now coming out of our shell.
I look forward to hearing from a new Scout parent this fall who will ask me how they can help. I know they too will be just starting the most gratifying experience of their life as a freshman volunteer. Each school year brings in a new class of freshmen volunteers and soon they will be seasoned and enriched by the movement making the process perpetual.
I have come to one conclusion at this point of my first year as the District Executive; there are no bad boys, just missed opportunities. If provided, Scouting in Douglas County is one of the best opportunities a young person can experience. Credit goes to our treasure of capable and selfless volunteers.
Ed Gundy is district executive of Douglas Fir District, Oregon Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America in Roseburg. He has lived in Roseburg for nine years.
I am lucky to be the District Executive of the Douglas Fir District, (Douglas County) for this is absolutely the preeminent district within the Oregon Trail Council.
Since November 2005, I have seen boys begin to turn into commendable young men. I have been privileged to see once shy boys become heroes and save lives. I have conversed with World War II veterans who were once Boy Scouts and learned how their First Aid merit badge saved their own life and others on a battlefield so many years later.
I have seen, how through the disguise of having fun, Boy Scout activities building character, ethics and principles that silently affect the youth of our county in ways that they would not experience otherwise. These very experiences will carry with them for the rest of their lives and will store in the back of their minds until their scout experience is needed in their own life.
Scouting is so much more than a camping trip, singing songs and having skits around a campfire, or working on a new merit badge. Scouting is expanding the young mind through challenges, growth through caring for others and pride in doing a project through to completion. And it is the volunteers who provide this to the youth of Douglas County by making it fun.
With nearly a thousand youth members and almost 400 adult volunteers, our district is the envy of all within the Council. Our volunteers are what make it happen. It is the giving of their time and energy to be there for the youth of Douglas County that makes my job so rewarding.
It is a true honor to be surrounded by such people as Chris, Mike, Steve, Russ, Joanne, Dave, Lyn, Kent, Kelsey, Jim, Cheryl, Jay, Becky, Fred, Sharon and Dawn and the hundreds of others scattered from Glendale to Elkton and from Glide to Camas Valley. It is these scoutmasters, den leaders, advisors and commissioners who is making the difference in the life a young person today providing a more positive and fulfilled life ahead.
Years from now, that troubled boy you may have today will remember you and think "my scoutmaster/den leader sure made a difference in my life." Though you may never hear it, he may remember you for how you have touched him in some way today.
Our volunteers don't just want the Boy Scout movement in Douglas County to just be good or better, they want our district to be the best. The 2005-2006 year showed the efforts that they put forth by setting records in so many areas, and 2006-2007 appears to have all the signs to be another banner year.
I have also been welcomed by so many within the business community, schools, service organizations and agencies throughout the county. It is more than apparent that the Boy Scouts of America is an honored organization to be associated with in this county. I thank all of you for your acceptance and continued support. Douglas County certainly is Scout Country!
Where are the scouts of Douglas County? They are members of the County Search and Rescue Team; Explorer Posts in the Glide, Drain and Tri-City Fire Stations; the Skate Churches of Roseburg and Myrtle Creek as well as the 45 Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops meeting in schools, churches and homes throughout the county. They are all around you.
Scouting is only the county's biggest secret and we are just now coming out of our shell.
I look forward to hearing from a new Scout parent this fall who will ask me how they can help. I know they too will be just starting the most gratifying experience of their life as a freshman volunteer. Each school year brings in a new class of freshmen volunteers and soon they will be seasoned and enriched by the movement making the process perpetual.
I have come to one conclusion at this point of my first year as the District Executive; there are no bad boys, just missed opportunities. If provided, Scouting in Douglas County is one of the best opportunities a young person can experience. Credit goes to our treasure of capable and selfless volunteers.
Ed Gundy is district executive of Douglas Fir District, Oregon Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America in Roseburg. He has lived in Roseburg for nine years.
