Crossing Life’s Bridges

My life was greatly enriched this week, having spent time with my son and some of the other boys in our Webelos Patrol, at Scoutland Adventure Camp.

How often do we read about young people aimlessly moving through life, without a sense of direction – much to the detriment of our future?  Far too many times we hear that morals are not as strong as they once were, and times are not what they used to be.

The Scouts I met this week had plenty of drive, determination and enthusiasm.  They served as role models and teachers.  Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and adult leaders took the time, as they do all summer and throughout the year, to invest time in the lives of young people. 

I was proud to be in their presence, sharing their mission and vision.

The young people will grow older and in turn, invest in the lives of future generations.

We all understand the importance.

This week, the Webelos learned how to tie various knots, and then walked across a rope bridge, constructed by using all of the types of knots they had just learned about. 

Learning to tie the knots was much easier than crossing the bridge.  It often is.

I won’t soon forget the expressions of sheer concentration, determination and accomplishment that took place in rapid succession.  The expressions and the order in which they appeared, were exactly the same with each scout.

Some scouts’ trips were easier than others.   All trips were accomplished.

Our children have a much better chance of growing into productive and happy adults when they reach toward goals, hear our encouragement, sweat a little, and experience the feeling of achievement.   

This week the obstacles consisted of a rope bridge, or a BSA Swim Test. 

In the future, the obstacles will be much more complicated. 

When younger generations know we are behind them, they will be much more likely to overcome each challenge.

We owe it to ourselves, as well as our children, to carve out some time.    

Being there enriches all of our lives.