Scout programs have big impact

To the editor:

It was great to see the story about the Boy Scouts Learning for Life Adventure Day. I am a friend of several of the people who put this event together and am proud of their fine accomplishment here. Organizations like this provide many programs that make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Some people too often overlook the impact that programs such as Scouting can have on a young person's life. It's great to see a story like this amidst all the bad news we read.

The smiles of the children in the story's photos and the sheer excitement in their quoted statements goes to show that taking the time to help a child -- any child, from any background, with any level of ability -- is just about the best thing that we as adults and volunteers can do. It's 100 times more important than bantering with each other over things like politics and money. Maybe someday our world will benefit from youths whose lives were changed because some adult -- teacher or volunteer -- took the time to help them realize their real potential.

It's great that the Adventure Day staff received a little recognition for all its hard work. But for them and for the other people who take the time to further programs like Scouting, being recognized isn't what they care about. Just seeing a kid smile and feel good about themselves makes all of their time, money and stress more than worth it.

FREEMAN FOUTS, Volunteer Boy Scout Leader, Cape Girardeau