‘We give them positive role models’
Seven years after his young son completed Boy Scouts, Gary Dolese is still serving as a scoutmaster because of the difference he’s seen it make in these boys’ lives.
“It gives me a feeling of being able to give back,” Dolese said. “I watch these boys come in 11 years old and stay. I watch them develop and know I’ve played a role in that. Some of the boys come back as assistant scout leaders. I feel good when I see that happen … that I’ve contributed something to these young men along the way.”
The Ama resident saw the difference scouting made in his own sons, all Hahnville High graduates, as they participated in Troop 370.
“It gave them confidence,” he said. “It put them on a career path. One started cooking at Boy Scout summer camps and now he’s a chef. One is a nurse, and the other one is an athletic trainer, but they saw something through scouting that interested them.”
Having served as the troop’s scoutmaster since 1995, Dolese stayed on in this capacity because he wanted to give back to the community by helping other young boys the way it helped his sons.
“I see the value in the program for citizens and positive growth for these young boys,” he said. “We give them positive role models. They learn leadership and develop their own skills as they serve as troop leaders.”
Dolese said it’s rewarding to see many of the scouts from his troop going on to jobs in the medical field, as firemen or in chemical plants.
“The basis of scouts is reflected in them and what they do in the parish,” he said. “The values we teach them are the values everyone treasures in the parish – good citizens, striving to be of service to others.”
United Way of St. Charles provides funds to the Southeast Louisiana Council for individual units or scout packs in St. Charles Parish, said Council Program Director Tracy Jones.
The funds go to registration assistance so more boys can participate in Boy Scouts such as scholarships for summer camps and other programs.
Jones said the Southeast Louisiana Council of the Boy Scouts of America delivers scouting to youths in 11 parishes in Southeast Louisiana, including Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. James, St. John and St. Charles parishes.
Serving more than 7,000 youths in total, membership in St. Charles Parish currently totals 607 youth members and adult volunteers. Programs offered include Cub Scouts (boys first through fifth grades), Boy Scouts (boys age 11-18), Venturing (co-ed program for teens age 14 – 20, with an emphasis on high adventure or hobbies), Exploring (co-ed program for teens age 14 – 20 with an emphasis on vocations and career prep), and Learning for Life (co-ed character education, life skills, and job prep program for K-12).
Scouting programs are open to all youths who meet the joining requirements.
Jones said a recent study by Tufts University found, that when compared to non-scouts, youths in scouting build positive character, and provides young people with a foundation they can stand on to embrace opportunity, overcome obstacles and make new discoveries.
For more information about the Council, visit its website, www.bsa-selacouncil.org.
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