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Last night, I was humbled and deeply honored to be presented with Boy Scouting’s District Award of Merit, given for “outstanding service to youth.” In the Boy Scouts, I work with some of the most incredible people I have ever known, all of them models of exceptional character, dedication, and generosity. To be recognized by peers such as those is a truly affirming experience. Normally, I’m not one to crow about my own laurels, but I was so surprised at this honor that I wanted to share the good feelings before they wore off.

At one point, I was being congratulated by Harold, a long-time Scouter who served as a mentor and friend in my early years as a Cub Den Leader. I wryly grinned and told him, “I guess that people do notice when you wear your Scout Leader uniform three times a week!” He leaned over to me, winked conspiratorially, and said, “Actually, they’re trying to inspire you to push for four.” I laughed until I realized he wasn’t really joking. Gulp.

I was also very proud to see one of the Cub Scouts in my pack, Josh, receive the “Cub Scout of the Year” award. Josh has earned every single rank advancement that Cub Scouting offers, including the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, all twenty Webelos Activity Badges (a rare feat) and the Arrow of Light. He has also worked countless service hours for the community and his Pack. It is awesome to see a young man succeed so well, knowing that you had some small part in his development.

Not to be outdone, my wife was the recipient of the Cub Scouter Recognition award for her work as our Cub Pack’s Committee Chair for two years. Committee Chair is a tough job that seldom goes recognized because all of the work is done “behind the scenes.” Figureheads like Cubmaster and Den Leader usually get all the attention; they are the ones that everyone associates with “Pack Leadership.” But it is the Committee Chair that “leads the leaders,” making them into a cohesive whole. Our Cub Pack was enriched by her service, and I am proud to have her as a wife and fellow Scout Leader.

In case you haven’t noticed, I love the Scouting movement and the opportunity it gives me to help boys become men of character and integrity. It also gives me another meaningful way to relate to my wife and son as we work together to do our respective parts. I would willingly give this my time and energy even if I didn’t get the occasional plaque or pin. However, it’s nice to know that when you give something your all, sometimes it gives back.

Four nights a week? I’m gonna need another uniform.