Hiking along the Appalachian Trail, one crosses the paths of many people and groups of people. A recent weekend at the James River Face Wilderness Area was just such a scenario. As we hiked into the Matt’s Creek Area across the James River Foot Bridge, we let each step take us farther away from the noise of the road, the hum of the train tracks and the bustle of families picnicking along the river front. We passed small run-off waterfalls and downed tree limbs that reminded us of the cold and snowy winter we endured; and we delighted in the budding branches, bright green mosses and early blossoms of native wildflowers. Following the switchbacks and slight grade changes of the trail along the James River and along Matt’s Creek; we descended to the muffled sounds of talk and activity. We arrived at the Matt’s Creek Shelter to find our group completely engaged in their activities.
At first, one might describe the scene as chaotic… but one would soon define it as “organized” chaos; small groups of two or three working together on some task. This is the best of the best that Boy Scouting offers to our youth in it’s 100th year of being. An older Boy Scout working with two younger scouts on knot tying; a patient scoutmaster aside with another young man talking intently about recent achievements (a scoutmaster conference); a junior assistant scoutmaster attentively demonstrating the proper way to use a water purifying filter; other adult assistant scoutmasters helping the boys to learn the ways of the scout and the ways of the woods. A weekend away, doing the ordinary in an extraordinary place…learning teamwork, skills and self-reliance that will follow them the rest of their lives…each and every day.
The “un-apparent” structure of the Boy Scouting Program allows the boys to progress and develop age appropriate skills; in an informal, un-institutional setting. The boys only see the fun and adventure involved in each outing and planning meeting they attend in this “boy lead” troop. The patrol method, which groups the scouts in small teams, teaches elusive concepts like teamwork and leadership skills, but also serves to teach basic cooking, first aid and other necessary task-oriented lessons. Patrols are the building blocks of a Boy Scout troop; working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility for the patrol’s success. They gain confidence by serving in positions of patrol leadership, and members enjoy the friendship, sense of belonging, and achievements of the patrol and of each of its members.
Several “thru-hikers” slowed down to take in the scene as they passed our encampment of 22 boys and a dozen adults. Two spent the night just downstream, and reminisced with us about the ten or more years they spent in the Boy Scouting Program with their now grown sons.
At the end of the day, after dinner dishes were scraped and the “bear bag” was hung; the camp fire was stoked and the boys gathered together to share skits and songs and stories. Toasting marshmallows amid wide yawns in the fading fire light . . . these boys now know what Boy Scouting is really all about.
–Donna Haley, Troop 211
