Hello parents, scouts, Scouters,
My name is Evan Ellwanger. I have been involved in Troop 95 for 15 years. Last year I discussed with the assistant scout masters that I wanted to give back, and what better way to do that than share the knowledge that I have learned in the role of scout master. I have worked at Camp Horseshoe for 9 summers, worked on staff for almost all training that the council has to offer. I have lived and breathed scouting for most of my life. I see the troop now, and have high hopes for where the scouts can take it. I will not be pushing a huge agenda or goals but instead will be a core advisor in the troop. I will allow the boys to lead the troop because Boy Scouts is a boy run organization.
My theory is that we need to get back to the basics, and will be focusing on the scouting movement and what it originally was founded on. There will some changes, which have already taken place. You may hear about the scout doing physical activities such as push ups, sit ups, and the like. This is in conjecture with the Journey to Excellence that the Boy Scouts of America had started in 2012. Other items include scouts and Scouters during the normal meeting hours and having guests come to spice up the meetings. There are other changes taking place and I encourage every parent and committee member to come to the Parent/Committee meetings.
The last few months have pushed the scouts to “be prepared”, but the trips will be life experiences the likes of which the scouts will never forget. They include camping outside in a lean-to shelter in March and whitewater-rafting in April. The scouts want adventure and fun. With scouting, this is possible. I was once told that scouting is fun with a purpose. It’s up to the scouts to incorporate the fun, with the scout masters incorporating the purpose.
Evan Ellwanger
