Highlights of my AmeriCorps Service

Heather Suess

            This year has been a great experience. I have learned a lot of things about people, family, culture, and the community. This paper is supposed to be about the highlights of the year, and the tangible evidence of success. If I were to tell you of my tangible data for the year, I would simply have numbers. Instead, I could highlight the feeling I got in my heart when I would help a scout learn a new skill, but that is not tangible. I could tell you of the many times that I felt the need to hug a scout, but that’s not very tangible either. In my line of work, what is the significance of tangible? You can hold a book that records the child’s accomplishments, but you can not hold the excitement smeared across the child’s face when he receives his award. In my line of work, it is not work at all. It is a blessing.

            Over the past year, my Cub Scout packs and I have been through a lot of educational opportunities and fun experiences together without having to drive to far off places. I brought the ‘adventures’ to them. These opportunities are called “Go See It’s”. We started off the year with National Dog Week. The Humane Society brought in a pet and explained the importance and responsibility in neutering and taking care of them. The kids learned as well as had fun with the puppy they brought along. After that “Go See It” it was Crime Prevention Month. The Police Departments and Fire Departments came into my Pack meetings and explained safety with my scouts. They got to see the cop cars, guns, and fire trucks. One pack even got to use the fire hose! We have had Blue & Gold Banquets to showcase their achievements, Kiwanis Clubs coming in to help build birdhouses, and the all time favorite- the Pinewood Derby.

            The Pinewood Derby was probably my biggest success. A Pinewood Derby is where a Cub Scout gets a block of wood, four tires, four axles, and stickers in a box. The scout is responsible in getting that block of wood and turning it into a racecar. I had over 25 volunteers from the Scouting Community help pre-cut the cars into four designs. The scouts were then able to pick out a design they liked and then had to sand it down. This event taught them a lot of things. They learned how to use sand paper, how to be patient and diligent at their work, and how to recognize good and bad sportsmanship. After the car was completely sanded down, they had the opportunity to paint their cars. A week later, when the cars were dry, the scouts added their axels and wheels and raced them down a 25 foot track. The track was donated for us by a local Cub Scout Pack. I really couldn’t have done this event without the help from the community. I had over 30 volunteers from the community come to the derbies to help with set-up and the running of the event. Over 185 Cub Scouts had the opportunity to race their cars against other scouts. I held four Pinewood Derbies, each with a 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners. All Cub Scouts won a prize for participating, because in Cub Scouts, all I ask of them is to “Do Your Best”. A great event that I’m sure they will never forget.

            Other big events I’ve held would have to be the campouts. We have had campouts at the Boy Scout Camp in Whitesburg, the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Grey, and at the Warriors Path State Park in Kingsport. The boys have enjoyed the outdoors and for some it was their very first time! All year long we have played games with purpose and have learned about each other and the world around us. Nature provides plenty of space and adventure for that to happen. So in the Boy Scouts of America, a good slogan is, “Keep the OUTING is SCOUTING”.

            Not tangible enough? How about having 128 out of my 225 registered Cub Scouts advance? Or having over 180 Cub Scouts attending regularly every week? I do believe that is tangible enough. Having 180 kids off the streets and in an environment that promotes citizenship, religion, and good character is an amazing way to prove a positive outcome. I do believe that this program is what our young people need. They need stability, and they need something that promotes Citizenship. Our world today is steering towards the opposite, and we need to create a better backbone for our future. Being the CubMaster for nine packs has taught me how to: be better at multitasking; be creative; be a better caretaker; and become a better role model. I have almost become the second mother in some of those kids’ lives. They might not have a stable home life, or mother. Every child’s life is different, and you have to know how to respond to different reactions that happen in different situations. This experience has taught me to open my eyes and my heart a little wider. I appreciate that opportunity, and I appreciate the hard work that all AmeriCorps members and directors do. Thank you for making me a better person and for allowing me to touch the lives of many underprivileged kids. I’m sure if they were around to say it, they would say one of their favorite Den Yells, “Yooooouuuuu’rrreeeee Grrrrreeeeeeaaaaaatttttt!” like Tony the Tiger. Thanks.