The Singing Scoutmaster: Positive Role Model

Scouts, I want you to think about someone you look up to. It could be a parent, a teacher, an older Scout, an athlete, or anyone who makes you think, 'I want to be like that person.' Now ask yourself: why do you look up to them? It's probably not because of what they said - it's because of what they did. How they treated people. How they handled tough situations. How they showed up every day.

Here's something that might surprise you: someone is looking at you exactly the same way. Maybe it's a younger sibling, a newer Scout in the pack, or a kid at school. They're watching how you act, how you talk, and how you treat people - and they're learning from it, whether you realize it or not.

Being a role model doesn't mean being perfect. It means being honest, being kind, and trying your best - even when it's hard. It means that when you mess up, you own it and try to do better. The Scouts watching you don't need to see someone who never makes mistakes. They need to see someone who handles mistakes with character.

Your actions are like footprints in wet cement. They leave an impression that lasts long after you've walked away. Every time you hold a door open, help someone who's struggling, or choose to do the right thing when nobody's watching, you're showing someone else what's possible.

You don't need a title or a badge to be a role model. You just need to be the kind of person you'd want to follow. Tonight, ask yourself: if a younger Scout followed me around for a whole day and copied everything I did, would I be proud of what they learned? That's the standard. And Scouts, I believe you can meet it.