Trail Talk – 11/19/24

Scoutmaster Minute

I would like to take a moment for a scoutmaster minute. Please read this because it is important in multiple ways. First, I want to assure you that this troop is going to continue to be the best troop in Michigan. My dad was an amazing man and we recognize that 1 person can’t do everything he did but we also recognize that he started a program that needs to be continued. Right now, your Troop Leadership and the Board of Directors of the “Friends of Troop 244” are very busy identifying key needs for our troop. This includes identifying all the different moving pieces of the troop and then identifying people to take on those moving pieces. We want to make sure that everything my dad was able to do in his 40 – 60 hours per week of scouting is covered. We are looking at campouts, merit badges, advancement, equipment, fundraising, leadership(Scoutmaster for boy troop and more), summer camp, high adventures and your scouts! I want to assure you that we are doing that right now. I also want you all to know that I am dedicated to this troop. I went through this troop for 7 years as a scout and then I spent the next 28 years helping my dad to run this troop. I am fully aware of Troop 244 and the legacy that has been made and with everything that is in me we will continue that legacy. We have an absolutely AWESOME core group of adult leaders who are stepping up to make sure YOUR SCOUTS are taken care of! No Troop could ask for better leaders than 244!

I also want people to recognize that not everything is going to happen at once. We live in a society that is so used to “fast food” and “fast internet” and fast everything. We don’t take the time anymore to just slow down and trust that things will happen as they need to happen. We often don’t have our priorities in the right places because of this. We feel that if something doesn’t happen right now, it is not going to happen. I want to encourage everyone in the troop to take a step back, breathe and slow down a bit. Life is a precious thing, don’t take it for granted. The very first point of the Scout Law is “Trustworthy” for a reason. Trust that it will all work out in the end.

If you have questions about the troop right now, I would ask that you direct them to that survey above. However I know that isn’t always everyone’s thing. So, if you need to talk to someone, for the time being I am going to ask that you talk to Rich Walsh, Christy Szekely, Sherry Evans and Sean Harrigan. Give me a chance to put my dad to rest and get my head back in the game.

Let’s always remember “What Troop Does More!!” – 244

Yours in Scouting,

Brian Poppen