It must be the Van Dyke family show-cast at our church. After my oldest Leighton was asked to give a talk on Father's Day last week, my second oldest son was asked to give a talk this week. Coleman shared his experience at Boy Scout camp. Though he's been on week long campouts with his troop in the past, this was his first official BSA sponsored scout camp. And though he's 5 requirements away from his First Class rank, he's an gym rat like me, working out with the football over the summer, and has moaned about scouting in the past.
Having been a scoutmaster in Virginia (Richmond) before moving back to Atlanta, I was anxious to see if he would have a good time. Well, when I went to him Friday night at the scout show, he asked to stay until morning - which is what I hoped for (having brought my sleeping bag just in case.) However, I was sure that he wanted to stay in order to hang with his friends one more night - which I was more than OK with. After hearing him speak on Sunday, apparently there were more reasons.
While Coleman did mentioned being grateful for the opportunity to get to know his church peers and feeling more like a part of the group after moving here, I was pleased to hear about how the experience helped him to grow spiritually. One particular experience that touched him was listening to a 97 year old scouter speak at the scout show. He was very frail, very gray, and was barely able to stand with his walking stick (much less walk); but when he spoke, he sounded like a roaring lion and more than conveyed his love for this country and for the scouting movement in America. Coleman was reflective as he spoke about that old scouter. He sad he was grateful for his experience, and that it grew his testimony. It was from the heart; I know because he was able to share all of this without any notes. Quite impressive for an almost 14 year old.
Here are my takeaways from my son's talk. First of all, never give up encouraging your son to get involved with Scouting. When done correctly, it is proven to mold boys into men that you can be proud of. Secondly, there's a wide range of experiences that can increase one's testimony; and it's rare that they'll gain their testimony the same way as you. The important thing is to provide the youth you're responsible for (particularly your children) with as many opportunities to have a positive experience as you can. They don't always have to be church related; and since "all things are spiritual" anyway, anything positive can turn into a huge spiritual revelation.
I am happy for Coleman's experience at scout camp, and am hopeful that there will be many more like it for him. Two Sundays ... two great talks from my sons. My life is a blessing. Thank you, Heavenly Father.