CAMDEN — This is in response to the editorial in (the) 2-2-16 paper. I want to elaborate on a few items.
First, there are still lots of good kids in this area. I have been a Boy Scout leader in Camden’s troop 6 for 23 years and we have - and have had - many boys over the years that were hard workers and served their community with volunteer work and projects. Troop 6 had five boys in 2015, attain the rank of Eagle. This is no easy task. It takes hard work, leadership skills, planning skills, determination, and service to their community…all for no pay. We are indeed proud of them.
Secondly, there are many good church affiliated youth groups in town that mirror the same aspects of Boy Scouting. Being the youth director for First United Methodist Church for the last ten years, I have seem many wonderful kids come through our doors. They are taught to be servants to others, without expecting anything in return. SO much so that, every summer for the last 10 years, we have been involved with mission work in the U.S. The last four years, we have been involved with the Ozark Mission Project (OMP). This involves paying to spend a week during the hot summer to help people they don’t know, working with kids they don’t know, and in a city they don’t know. They build wheelchair ramps, paint houses, repair porches, paint decks, clean up yards,etc. ALL for just the service to others. The funny thing is, they love it! I have 10 kids and 3 adults signed up to go again this summer.
Yes, there are many good, hard-working teenagers in Camden still. I know there are more groups than the two I mentioned. I am proud to be a part of these young men and women’s lives. They are learning things they will take with them their entire life.
Sally deFrance
Troop 6 BSA
committee chairman, and
FUMC youth director