I’m sorry to say that during all my years in #Scouting I completely took our scoutmaster, Mr. Mitchell, for granted. It wasn’t until years later I realized how much of his time and energy he invested in our lives. Weekly meetings, monthly weekend camp outs, a full week at summer camp, and the list goes on. All the time he spent with us, instead of with his family. The financial cost I’m sure he willingly invested in our care.
He wasn’t just our leader but also a mentor you could go to at any time for help or just someone who would listen.
There were numerous other fathers who assisted him, but it seemed it was always Mr. Mitchell at the front of the troop; leading us to be better people and men. I only wish now I had realized it back then and had properly thanked him for it.
MjL 22 May 2024, 6:19 a.m.
Michael,
You’re right, Mr. Mitchell was right there with us. I wouldn’t have made Eagle Scout without his help.
I’d been a Second Class Scout for a year and a half when I transferred to Troop 193. The hold-up on making First Class was I couldn’t swim. The First Class swimming requirement was “. . . jump overboard feetfirst in water slightly over your head, swim 25 yards, make a sharp turnabout, level off, and return to the starting point.” Mr. Mitchell gave me help with this himself at swim nights, and also arranged for Mr. Witzig (owner of the Morton clothing store) to give me personal lessons. Six months later I was First Class.
Mr. Mitchell didn’t berate anyone, nor allow us to either, but he did have a quiet exasperated look when the situation merited it. I received that look once during a canoe trip on Cedar Creek (or perhaps it was the Spoon River). The canoes were spread out along the creek. With all the bends, it seemed we were by ourselves. At one bend we ended up in the water. My glasses came off and were carried away in the current. We were diving to try to find them when Mr. Mitchell’s canoe floated up. After explaining what we were doing, he told us to give up and move on downstream. It was hours after we were back at camp before Mr. Mitchell arrived. I found out later from another adult that Mr. Mitchell had been looking for my glasses himself!
Mr. Mitchell wasn’t always at the front of the troop. Sometimes he was at the center or bringing up the rear
About
I’m sorry to say that during all my years in 
