Local Scout Camp Pride

This coming Saturday will be the first day of Staff Week for Camp Gorsuch and while I am looking forward to having the opportunity to serve on staff as the Cheechako Trail Director which is my councils First Year Camper Program with its focus on Tenderfoot to First Class Rank Requirements, I also have some reservations. My primary issue which from what I know seems pretty common is that we have NO Camp Spirit or Camp Pride, I realize Scout Camp for most is only a week long excursion but it shouldn't be this way. Camp Gorsuch belongs to me and all the other Scouts, Scouters, and Parents that are part of the Great Alaska Council but too many have seem to forgotten this fact and therefore it doesn't always match what Scouters and Scouts want from Camp Gorsuch. I have noticed that many complain about the facilities or programs or equipment but no one seems to want to do anything about it. Which means that changes won't happen because we are a volunteer organization and we desperately depend upon the service of both youth and adults to accomplish the work.

So why don't people that use Camp Gorsuch take responsibility and pitch in to get the work done? I don't think I could narrow it down to only reason or even list all the reasons people could come up with but anyway here is my attempt at identifying what I believe are the most common answers:

1) We don't have time: We are all busy and we all have lives. But is it really too much to ask for others to come and help one day to provide service for my camp?

2) We shouldn't have to do the manual labor: Hold on, a second, did you forget we are a VOLUNTEER organization? In case you did I will state it again...........we are a VOLUNTEER organization and it is the VOLUNTEERS that get things done. I don't see another reasonable option but if you could come up with one I would most certainly love to hear it.

3) Can't we just hire a contractor: Okay, so you want to hire a contractor, are you willing to pay for the contractor to do the work needed? I am pretty sure the answer is going to be a resounding NO! So unless you can make money just appear out of nowhere, I don't think that is an option.

Well for now those are the big three I can come up with! But if you have any reasons you would like to share please share them in the comments section below.

Ohh just one last thing, I hope to have a letter put together by the end of day that explains to members of my council why it would be a very good idea to STEP UP and do what is RIGHT!

Yours in Scouting Service

Mark West

ASM Troop 1316/0669

UC Denali and Eklutna Districts

Council Camping Committee Member