LOOKING SIDEWAYS

MARK LUETKE
I believe most Sylvania residents have their individual ways to appreciate the quality of life our community provides. For me, that includes enjoying a neighborhood that overlooks Olander Park. There, I can sit on my back deck any time and view the peaceful scene: the trees and lake, walkers and fishermen.
But from time to time my serenity is broken by a bustle of activity over the fence –usually a dozen or so young men measuring, sawing, pounding and building. Most recently the activity was generated by the Boy Scouts of Troop 87 from St. Joseph’s church; they were contributing their time to construct a wooden “hammock stand”—a structure where visitors can simply hook and unhook their hammock and enjoy the serenity of the park.
It was just one of a number of Scout projects that have benefitted the Outdoor Sylvania parks in recent years, according to Dan Marsalek, project manager for the park system and an adult volunteer and registered merit badge counselor for Troop 154. The unit is chartered by the Joseph W. Diehn Post 468 of the American Legion, and it meets at Sylvania United Methodist Church. Membership generally numbers around 50 young men between the ages of 11 to 18.
Dan told me that Scouts have completed approximately 10 projects in his seven years with the system: this includes creating roll-up boardwalks to improve accessibility to the Olander Park swim beach and boat area, clearing space and building bird houses at Sylvan Prairie Park, and installing a bike rack near the play area at Olander.
I caught up with two members of Troop 154 at a recent Tuesday evening Summer Market at Olander Park. Both are seniors at Northview and have been in scouting for a little more than 10 years. Gavin Ballard has achieved his Eagle Scout rank, and Logan Dane is a Life Scout who is finishing up his requirements for Eagle. They were selling pastries for a school project called “Cookies for Better” to raise funds for civic causes like the Cancer Society and the Humane Society.
Listening to Dan and the Scouts recount their construction projects and community service, it seems pretty clear that Scouting has changed far beyond the organization I experienced growing up more than 60 years ago—which focused on camping, hiking, and knot-tying.
“Today Scouting is such a great opportunity to make connections to help you with your life,” Gavin told me. “It’s allowed me to mature and be a better person overall. I’ve been able to learn about people and work with others.”
Added Logan, “In Sylvania, there seems to be a common misconception that Scouting isn’t as popular as in the past, but I would say that Scouting is more popular here than ever. We had close to 65 people go to summer camp this year—both scouts and adults. This includes five or six camp sites, including Camp Miakonda.”
Yet the organization Scouts and leaders talk about goes beyond traditional experiences of the past. “Earlier this year Boy Scouts of America changed its name to Scouting America,” according to Nelson Shaffer, Director of Development for the Erie Shores Council which covers northwest Ohio. “This was changed to reflect the inclusion of girls at all levels of the program.”
Shaffer suggests the continued value of Scouting America is the approach it takes to working with young people. “There are a large number of organizations with a good heart that offer programs for youth, but we believe Scouting takes the most wholistic approach,” he told me.
“We are one of the few youth-oriented organizations with a mission that includes physical activities, confidence building, character development, community service and preparation for a career and adult life. This is all accomplished while still having fun. It’s good for the community and good for kids.”
Parent Julie Hostettler totally supports this point. Her son Zander, who will be a senior at Southview this year, started as a Cub Scout in first grade and achieved the Eagle rank a year ago. His father was an Eagle Scout too, and Julie told me that Scouting’s influence has helped Zander evolve as a young adult.
“He’s always been a shy kid, and Scouting has made him a more confident person,” she said. “Working on his Eagle badge especially has taught him leadership, how to manage conflict, and how to adapt in order to get an end result.”
Scouts, Gavin and Logan, seem to agree. “Scouting has become a big part of my life,” offered Gavin. “It helped me develop my leadership skills, connect with other people, and helped me become an overall better person.
Added Logan, “Scouting has been the cornerstone of my personal growth for the past decade. I’ve learned how to be prepared for all scenarios and really enjoyed being able to help out so many causes in this community through our service projects.”
That said, it is apparent that Scouting America has both broadened and sharpened its focus beyond my own scouting days. As Dan Marsalek points out, “Scouts today get confidence without arrogance…skills without screens to get young men and women ready for the times their parents won’t be there to help.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This column is the first of a two-part series on the current status of Scouting. Participation by young women in the Girl Scouts of the USA organization plus Scouting America will be the subject of a column early next year.)
Longtime Sylvania resident Mark Luetke has served on city council, the board of education, and numerous foundation and community boards.