updated
04-10-07
I can remember only a few important events in my life
that have not included scouting. Since I became a Wolf Cub, scouting has become
my very essence and I hold all that it implies dear to me. My school life and
my scouting life were always intermingled whether obvious or not. The friends I
made were the same kind of friends I made in scouting. I used the Scout Law,
Motto, Oath and Slogan to determine my lifestyle. I did not realize it at the
time, but when I look back now it is obvious what a benefit scouting was for me,
and those that I know who stuck with it.
Now that I have lived my childhood as a scout, I see other young men my age and wonder how far they could have gone by now if scouting had been given the chance to influence them. I recently met up with a friend who was in Pack 286 with me many years ago. He has not yet advanced to anything more than being 18 years old. From within him I see that he has no real plans for his life, he seems content to just laze around and encourage counter-productiveness. This person and many other fellows I know are the people that make me feel good about staying in Scouting. Talking to another long-time friend, I can tell that he wishes his parents would have let him stay in Scouting. We frequently talk and I tell him the tales of my adventures and pastimes with my troop. Each time I relate a story he wishes that he could have been there.
I plan on going to college and becoming a top professional in the health career of massage therapy. I will use my diligence, patience and commitment achieved through scouting to ensure that I become successful and am able to serve the community and not become a parasite of it (A future I fear will befall my before-mentioned associate). Eventually in about 15 years or so, my plan is to go back to college and earn a teaching credential to teach the art of massage therapy. Then I will be able to really put to use the leadership and motivational skills that I have gained. Once I finish college I plan on getting back to scouting while I develop my career and continue my personal life. Whether married or not, children or not (boys or girls they may be), I will return the favor given to me by my current leaders. I will introduce scouting to someone else and make it happen for them.
Someday I will be a Scoutmaster, Venture Leader or perhaps even a District Commissioner. I will be pleased to do any part, so long as I can show young kids the way of the world through the standards, beliefs, morals and attitudes of the Scouting Program.
Steven Mortenson,
Prunedale, California
August 30, 2000