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A Scout is thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
Scoutmasters need to exercise thrift in ways that are not often talked about –
Thrift in words.
Paradoxically many of the character traits that make a good Scoutmaster can also make a tiresome Scoutmaster. Most of us like to talk and sometimes forget to stop. I have learned to recognize the look Scouts have when they have had enough talk.
Thrift in time.
Scouting is so intriguing and challenging and rewarding that many of us get over committed and over involved. Family, work and sanity can suffer terribly if we are not thrifty with our time.
Thrift in leadership.
Scouts can be over-led. They need to have plenty of latitude to explore the world on their own terms. Attempting to weight every experience with significance and a demand for perfection can grow tiresome to Scouts. Give them plenty of room.
We Scoutmasters are driven, motivated and energetic. It is important that we exercise some thrift so our exuberance supports rather than overwhelms the program.
