This past weekend I went home so I could be there when my former scoutmaster, Rick Dean, received a national award from Boy Scouts of America.

It was important to me to be there, because Rick was one of the most influential people in my life growing up. He took the reins as scoutmaster in my second year as a Boy Scout. Since then, he has given countless hours to provide a good program for the boys in Washington. Rick has continued to lead the scouts even after his sons lost interest.

He spends time every week with the scouts, helping them earn badges and learn skills. Every year that he can, Rick even takes off a week to take scouts to summer camp. Beyond the time he works directly with scouts, Rick spends time doing paperwork and making camping arrangements.

There are leaders like that here, too. They are involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, youth sports, church youth groups, and virtually every other organization for children and young adults.

In any case, these volunteers can’t be expected to do it all alone. Parents’ involvement is important, and it starts with taking an interest in their children’s activities.

— Adam Stewart