Campfire smoke swirls, Capote’s howl echoes in the distance, and Scouts shiver in the soft autumn breeze. They look at each other with wide eyes — a mix of too many ghost stories and the unknown spooks lurking in the moonlight. Then, from behind, an older Scout sneaks up and lets out a scream like a banshee. Everyone jumps, shrieks, and laughs until their sides ache.
Scouting gives us that gift — the ability to dance between fear and fun, between the unknown and the adventure that waits just beyond it. It teaches us that not everything quiet or loud is bad or scary. A rustle in the bushes might be a raccoon, or it might just be the wind. Either way, we learn to stay calm, pay attention, and be prepared.
That little phrase — “Be Prepared” — isn’t just for knots and first aid kits. It’s for those moments when plans go sideways, weather turns wild, or a flashlight dies in the middle of the woods. It’s about knowing how to respond instead of react. To laugh when you can, adapt when you must, and always look out for one another.
The funny thing about fear is that it’s not always bad. Fear sharpens our awareness, makes us notice things we might otherwise ignore, and reminds us we’re alive. The trick is learning how to meet fear with curiosity instead of panic — a skill every Scout develops, whether they realize it or not. From that first night camping away from home to navigating life’s bigger unknowns, Scouting builds courage one small moment at a time.
So as the nights grow longer and the stories grow spookier, take a moment to appreciate those shared shivers and bursts of laughter. Every campfire scare, every creak in the woods, and every howl in the distance is a chance to practice calmness under pressure — a lesson that lasts long after the embers fade.
Here’s to a season of spooky fun, laughter, and steady nerves. Be prepared, stay calm, and maybe keep an extra marshmallow handy for when someone yells “BOO!” from the shadows.
Yours in Wacky Scouting,
Scott RobertsonChief Wacky Scouter