A Scouting Lesson

Lessons come in all shapes and sizes. I remember a lesson that happened towards the end of a campout once. We had a campout to teach our younger scouts about camping techniques, and about the games, we were going to be playing at an upcoming Camporee. The older scouts were there to help teach the younger scouts.

It was just an overnight camp out, and towards early morning, the cars, driven by adults, happened to get toilet papered. When this was seen in the morning, the scoutmaster did a little investigating. He spoke with scouts both individually and in groups.

Although nobody would confess, he could tell that the younger scouts really had nothing to do with the prank. He knew from talking to everyone that the older scouts did, although they would not say so. The scoutmaster put a little wisdom into the mix and came up with a great solution that taught a lesson.

Talking only to the younger scouts, he got them to volunteer to remove the paper from the adult’s cars, and as a good scout deed wash the cars for the adults. By the time the vehicles were cleaned, the scoutmaster had pizzas delivered from a favorite pizza parlor. The young scouts who had done their good deeds and hard work were reworded and got to eat the pizza while the older scouts could only be there and watch.

I probably would not have thought about this action as a resolution. Although, I couldn’t think of a much better lesson to teach both good deeds, and also admitting to your own pranks. I guess this is a good thing about having wise scoutmasters.

Just something for you to think about this weekend and maybe sometimes when you have to teach younger people a wise lesson.

Thank you for being with me today. I hope to be with you again soon.

Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. View all posts by Mike Balof