Its easy to lose faith in society, in our youth and in our future, just by watching the news. Often we accentuate the negative, rather than noticing the positive. So here’s a rather stunning Lawrence-area statistic for you: 33,697 youth in central Indiana were served last year by the Crossroads of America Boy Scout Council, headquartered at Fall Creek Parkway and Shadeland. 409 of those scouts worked for 100-500 hours on projects that earned them their Eagle Scout ranking. Just 6% of all Boy Scouts ever reach that impressive rank.
“Scouting is about well-rounded kids,” pointed out Crossroads Scout Executive (and father to three sons) Patrick Sterritt. “The more activities you do, the better educated you are and better prepared for life.”
BSA notes that there are many paths to follow in life and with the invaluable guidance of its adult leaders, scouts are better prepared to enjoy their lifelong journey to personal success.
Here in Lawrence, Crossroads BSA has 43 packs of scouts, ranging from first to fifth graders in Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts in grades six to twelve for a total of 1500 Scouts. They work with the community schools, often doing service work, and also with fire and medical units and with churches, depending on the particular pack.
“Boy Scouts remain very relevant, teaching character and civility in our society,” explained Sterritt. “We definitely address issues of health, fitness, drugs, tobacco, bullying and more. We are another arm to help parents raise their children.”
Today’s scouting must continue to change to keep up with society, Sterritt went on to explain. “It’s not your father’s campfire anymore,” he said. There is more technology available to scouts; around the campfire, they can point their smart phones at the sky and identify constellations!
And if your scout likes the outdoors, or perhaps hasn’t yet been introduced to the outdoors, Camp Belzer is right here, offering camps and other programs. In fact, rooms can even be rented out for area businesses, etc.
“Boy Scouts has always been a fantastic activity for our boys,” enthused Lawrence resident and BMO Harris Asst. Branch Manager Elizabeth Mercho Khamis. “The friends they have made, the skills they have learned and dedication to their community will stay with them for the rest of their lives.” Khamis has one son who has achieved his Eagle Scout ranking and twins at LNHS who are on track to do so.
Your son can join scouting any time of the year. Visit www.crossroadsbsa.org for full information on packs in your neighborhood, at your school, or at your church. Buy popcorn or donate through the same site.
