Be the Spark

Jim's journey with volunteering started like many volunteers before him-- with a moment. A spark. An undeniable feeling of good that comes when you share your inspiration, leadership, and compassion with another human being. From there, his involvement would grow tenfold. 

"I remember sending a selfie to my wife from Camp Strake during a BALOO training, with everyone behind me. Her immediate response? "You have found your people." This profound realization is precisely why I continue to volunteer. I have indeed found my people: individuals who are passionate, caring, and driven, truly the kind of people who ignite sparks in every life they touch."  

It was through this realization that Jim discovered how powerful the involvement of adult leadership can be the Scouting America. "This involvement has provided me with an outlet and a purpose greater than myself, presenting an opportunity to contribute to the community and hopefully cultivate in the youth desires that will foster their engagement not only in scouting but also enrich their lives..." says Jim, a father and Cubmaster. 

For the future of Scouting America, Jim hopes to see a wave of adult leader volunteership.  "Just like many things in life, there's an ebb and flow to how people become engaged. There are very few programs that allow parents or guardians to not only volunteer but also actively participate, both directly and indirectly, helping steer their youth's experiences and learning. A truly successful and enriching program isn't built by a single leader or just a few involved parents. Instead, it requires a team of volunteers and parents to collaborate, leveraging each other's strengths to create the most impactful experiences."

One could assume that volunteerism comes naturally to Jennifer, as she has been deeply involved in various roles with the Sam Houston Area Council. Her journey began with a desire to be a role model for her children, leading her to volunteer with the Big Cypress District. "When I realized, 'Hey, I know how to do that,' and that working with a few kids wasn't too scary, I was hooked." The valuable lessons of helpfulness and family balance she displayed to her children encouraged Jennifer to be as involved as she could.

Now, Jennifer continues to volunteer because it has helped her become the version of herself she has always aspired to be. Her desire to help, inspire, and make a difference drives her to touch the lives of many Houston area Scouts across the council. However, it is with her children that she feels the greatest impact of volunteerism. "I want my children to be the very best versions of themselves, and showing them how to do that by being a leader for them and others has become a part of my parenting style."

Jennifer now hopes that Scouting will continue to bring families together to experience its joys, sparking a lifelong dedication to becoming the best version of themselves. 

David's Scouting journey began early in his life in Dayton, Ohio. Through life's changes, he stepped away from Scouting but became reinvolved once he started a family. David went on to work in higher education, serving as a Houston ISD Principal for nearly three decades. His dedication to positively impacting youth within the community led him to incorporate the virtues of Scouting programming, which changed the lives of many children for years to come.

Scouting lit a fire in his community that lasted a lifetime. David watched as children who were often counted out and underestimated overcame their challenges and fought to become the best versions of themselves with the help of Scouting, going on to become successes in their respective fields. But Scouting wasn't just a light in the lives of his students; David took many lessons from the experience, which shaped his journey and commitment to youth development. "It's helped me be a better parent in the sense that Scouting has been a way to break some generational cycles. It's helped me build relationships, not just with the children of others, but with my son and my daughter. My son is an Eagle Scout and my daughter earned her Silver Award with Girl Scouting. So scouting is very deep in the family."

While retired from education, David's involvement in Scouting continues with his position as chairman of the ScoutReach program, ensuring that Scouting programming is available to essential-dependent schools across Houston, allowing thousands of youth to experience a program designed to make them more confident, resilient leaders of the next generation. 

Ana's volunteering journey began when she wanted to become more involved with her son's Scouting career. From his start as a Cub Scout, Ana watched her son develop from a shy tenderfoot into a well-poised leader in his own right. This metamorphosis sparked a desire to give back to the community that fostered her son's confidence. Ana started as a merit badge counselor, introducing Scouts to exciting topics and equipping them with the knowledge to complete their merit badge requirements. Raring to inspire, she became a founding committee member of one of her district's first female troops. Ana's passion for involvement has led her to be a part of programming like district membership events, Friends of Scouting, and even holding the position of Scouting for Food Chair for the Texas Skies District.

Ana continues to volunteer because of the connection she shares with her son, who is now attending college. Beyond this, she has found that volunteering with Scouting America has brought her to beautiful places, introduced her to new friends at every opportunity, and allowed her to be a guiding light to youth on their Scouting journeys.

As a father, former military officer, and Eagle Scout, Stephen understands the importance of service in guiding today's youth. 

His journey with Scouting America began when his son joined the organization four years ago. Recognizing a need for more Scouting programs in Alief, TX, Stephen became Scoutmaster for two local units.

Over the past four years, Stephen has positively influenced many children, often stepping into a parental role for those in need. His volunteer work has, in his words, 'heightened my sense of service to others and extended my sense of family to people who would have otherwise been strangers.'"