The Scouting Trail: A Parent's Reflection

3 minutes

Dear Scout Parent,

Let me take you on a journey back to 2007 when my son Alex and I had just arrived in Bucharest, leaving behind the familiarity of a smaller city in Romania. We were newcomers to this big new city, with me still trying to familiarise myself with the new environment and Alex with only a handful of new friends.

And then, like a whisper of opportunity, came an invitation to join our local neighbourhood scout centre. Honestly, I didn't know what Scouting was all about back then. I faithfully took Alex to activities every Saturday, but the inner workings of the Scouting world remained a mystery to me.

Two children wearing scout scarves.

I was blown away from my vantage point in the kitchen or during precious breaks when I'd dash to see what was happening in the camp. I witnessed scout leaders, grown-ups by all definitions, joyfully playing alongside children and young people in fantastical adventures and orchestrating activities that my son, Alex, and all the other scouts were super excited about. 

Soon, it dawned on me that this play was education cleverly disguised. Every child's progress was carefully monitored, and all these incredible leaders did it voluntarily, without expecting anything material in return. It was all about love, shared values, and a desire to leave the world a little better than they found it.

As the years rolled on, I watched Alex grow in harmony. His teamwork and patrol skills blossomed, he learned how to enjoy life's little moments, and he became mindful of nature, economy, respectful and resourceful – life skills that came straight from his scouting adventures.

Anca takes a selfie with her son.

Then, a few years later, a meeting with parents and an invitation to consider becoming scout leaders. It was a challenge, especially with my weekends filled with bicycle competitions. But after all those years of seeing my son benefit from countless extraordinary moments and experiences, I felt it was time to give something back. They assured me it would be "only two hours a week." Two hours? I could manage that. Little did I know, you can give anywhere from 2 to 40 hours a week or even more. But you know what? It's been a journey I wouldn't trade for the world.

I found myself immersed in an extraordinary world filled with incredible people. I watched my son and myself learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves. My son, who entered scouting as a curious cub at 7, is now 23 years old, a scout leader, and a board member at our local scout centre. And I can say with absolute certainty that it was in Scouting that he developed his leadership, organisational, and teamwork skills more than in any other formal educational setting.

So, dear parent, if you're still pondering whether to enrol your child in Scouting, I implore you to stop thinking and start doing! Scouting will change their life, just as it did for my son. You'll create unforgettable memories and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.

Yours in Scouting,

 

Anca, Scout Leader and mom of a Scout Leader