Meet Vinanti!

Creating connections with likeminded leaders is one of the greatest rewards of volunteering, and Vinanti will be the first to tell you!

"Initially I thought I can't do much with scouts because I don't have any outdoor skills. Plus coming from India there are too many cultural differences and in general not knowing enough of the system. But I was welcomed by the unit in having me participate as much as I felt comfortable, welcoming the different ideas I had because of the different culture.... Seeing so many adults taking time off from work and regular life to give these kids the great experience was definitely a big motivation for me to get more involved"

It's through this first step into involvement that Vinanti realized just how powerful of a program Scouting America can be for families. "It has definitely helped me see the strength of the next generation. It has also helped me understand my own 2 son and give them the space they need to grow up as an individual, independent person...how all adult leaders have different strengths and styles, how everything is welcomed and used to benefit the larger collective."

Volunteering with Sam Houston Area Council can be boiled down to an hour a week, but it's so much more than that for Scouts and their families. It's an opportunity to bond over shared experiences, meet new friends as kids and adults alike, and invest valuable knowledge in the next leaders of our generation!