Letters
Scouters are an INSPIRATION
Thank you so much for your profiles of Willy Coronado and Phil Phillips in the January-February issue. In my suburban pack, we work hard to give boys a great program to keep them involved in Scouting—and our boys have so many choices of ways to spend their time.
Reading about dedicated leaders like Willy and Phil is a true inspiration to me, and it reminds me what a huge difference Scouting makes in the lives of boys.
I can only look up to them and try to follow their lead.
Tomi Morris
Cubmaster, Pack 328
Wilmington, Del.
Medical Safety vs. Privacy
I disagree with many of the statements made in the recent article regarding the privacy of troop medical files [Front Line Stuff, January-February]. Every adult going on a camping trip should be aware of potential medical issues with the Scouts under their supervision.
If a child has a seizure or a diabetic hypoglycemia condition, etc., he can die because the troop decided that medical records privacy was more important than child safety. There is nothing wrong with other parents or Scouts being aware that a boy has asthma, diabetes, etc.
It would be a shame for a Scout to die from an asthma attack if the buddy hiking with him didn’t know the boy had an emergency inhaler inside his pack and could have retrieved it for him.
It is better to be aware of Scouts’ potential medical problems than for them to suffer or die in privacy.
Ray Sommer, M.D.
Bartonville, Tex.
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY
It was a thrill to open the January-February issue of Scouting and see The Way It Was article about my father [“Three Packages”]. I have heard him tell this story many times while growing up, but it was so special to read it in the pages of your magazine.
My dad’s story of having Christmas without a tree or many presents brings tears to my eyes, but I know he had a lot of love in his house, and this was so much more important than anything money could buy.
Debra Guazzo McCauley
Charlotte, N.C.
WHAT GOES AROUND...
Our Scout troop has performed many service projects for our community. We helped clean up a local park by removing garbage, tearing down an old bridge by the horse stable, and building a cedar bridge on one of the bridle paths. We’ve built a bridge and cleared hiking trails, along with constructing a Team Building Course at the Jefferson Memorial Forest. We’ve also cleared tree lines and built fences and steps at a couple of our local historical sites.
About two years ago, our Scouts learned that when you do a Good Turn for others, you receive a Good Turn in return. Our trailer, along with all of our camping gear and cookware, was stolen a couple of days before a big camping trip. People from all across the community stopped by the church and dropped off tents and cookware, and even offered the loan of a trailer to haul our gear to the campsite.
They didn’t want our young men to miss going camping.
This touched us all. A few weeks later we had a pancake breakfast to raise money, and many people came to share their Scouting stories and drop off donations.
Thanks to our chartered organization and the members of the community, we now have a new Scout trailer loaded with new gear.
Billy G. Newkirk Jr.
Louisville, Ky.
Leading with Character
I have seen a lot of boys in Scouting with ADHD and other behavior disorders, as well as learning disabilities. These boys can thrive in the Scouting program and grow into wonderful young men.
Unfortunately, I have also seen other boys become more defiant, bitter, and hard to work with. The differences are not the boys but rather the adults leading the boys.
Boys with behavior disorders need to have a sense of belonging, they need rewards and positive encouragement, and they respond best to their peers and good leadership.
Scouters must be aware of how their leadership affects the boys they are leading. Many grown Scouts say that one of the most important influences on their lives was their Scout leader. Remember that and treat it as an honor.
Lead the way you want to be remembered as a leader. Start every meeting with a clean slate. Be someone that your Scouts remember as a positive role model who never gave up on a Scout and who always encouraged them to do their best.
Think about the mark you leave on your Scouts and don’t just be a leader; make the extra effort to be a great leader. Lead with character, because character counts.
Rose Boehmer
Mason City, Iowa.
Wrong Revolutionary Quote
I enjoyed Douglas Byrne’s Family Fun Page in the January-February issue. Please let him know, though, that Patrick Henry (and not Nathan Hale) had the quote “Give me liberty or give me death.”.
Robert D. Smith
Northport, N.Y.
Many readers pointed out this error. Nathan Hale actually is quoted for “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
NONSLIP SLIDE SOLUTION
Here is a method I discovered that keeps a Scout slide from slipping off a neckerchief so frequently.
Slip one end of the neckerchief through the slide and wrap it once around the tabs on the back.
Then put the other end of the neckerchief through as normal and adjust both sides to even the ends.
This is also a handy way to keep from losing the slide when the Scout takes off the neckerchief, since it is left wrapped around the tabs..
Carl Harwell
Jackson, Ga.
A SALES TIP
Here’s a tip for Scouts selling popcorn or other items as a money-earning project. As part of a thank-you card to give to customers, also include the amount of purchase. This gives your customers a ready-made receipt.
Kathy Allen
Troop 748
Lakewood, Colo.