2/26/2008 10:15:00 AM You bet, Borgerding
enjoys his years
as Scoutmaster It keeps him young too!
PHOTOS COURTESY
OF STEVE BORGERDING
Above, Steve Borgerding presides over a court of honor. During his 26 years as Scoutmaster he’s done this many times.
Field trips are a common occurance for the Scouts. Above, in July of 2006, they traveled to Itasca State Park. Pictured are (front, from left) Steve Borgerding, Zack Duevel, Dakota Massmann, Chris Rausch (back) Eymard Orth, Jonah Duclos, Smokey the Bear, Chris Kluempke and Alex Kleinfehn.
By Carol Moorman and Bryan Zollman
Melrose-Since 1979 over 230 boys have been involved in the Melrose Scouting program.
And current Scoutmaster Steve Borgerding figures he's worked with most of them. After all, he's been the leading force behind this program since 1981.
But he's the first to admit he doesn't do it alone. He credits assistant Scoutmasters, committee members, the Boy Scouts and their parents with helping him along the trail.
It's been an adventurous 26-year trail. One that includes climbing the cliffs of Taylors Falls, spelunking the Eagle's Caves in Wisconsin, backpacking for 10 days at Philmont in New Mexico, whitewater rafting or speaking during the troop's Laughs for Lunch Show for 12 years.
"Scouting has helped me stay young at heart," said Borgerding, an admittedly shy guy in his younger years.
It's a heart that is now 47 years old, which means Scouting has played a big part in over half of his life.
Why he got started
Steve came from a family that was involved in Scouting. His younger brothers Dan and Jeff were Cub Scouts. He and Dan were Boy Scouts; Steve staying in for 3 ½ years before the troop folded for lack of a Scoutmaster. Their mother, Ginny, was a Cub Scout den leader and their dad, Tom, was on the Boy Scout committee.
As an adult troop leader in April of 1980, when Steve joined Troop 68, he became an assistant Scoutmaster at age 19. A Scoutmaster has to be 21 years old. In September of 1981 the committee appointed him the troop's Scoutmaster.
"I had fun when I was a Boy Scout so I thought it would be fun to get involved with Scouting as an adult. But I never thought I would end up being the Scoutmaster of the troop in which I was a Boy Scout," he said.
During his years as Scoutmaster the troop grew to 40 Scouts by the mid-'90s. Currently there are nine boys in the troop.
His duties include adult leadership, training youth leaders and helping Scouts with their advancement. He tries to make each meeting and outing fun.
He rattles off a long list of why he enjoys his position; working with the boys, helping them learn new skills and grow, watching them earn their ranks, being in the great outdoors and making new friends.
"When I spend time with the boys they help to remind me to stay young," he said.
The troop has one outing each month, which could be anything from a one-day event to a weekend camping trip. They attend a week-long summer camp in July and every three years they try to do a big event, like a high adventure trip.
"We've backpacked the Rockies of New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch five times, spent a week backpacking in Virginia, canoed the Boundary Waters and attended a National Jamboree," said Borgerding.
While receiving the council's highest award of The Silver Beaver, was a highlight, Steve quickly adds that receiving the Melrose Community Service Award from the Legion and VFW topped that because it came from people in the community where he lives, works and plays.
Of course, topping both of those is when one of his Scouts earns the Eagle Rank, Scouting's highest award. Seventeen Scouts have done so since 1981.
Positives are plentiful
Borgerding knows first hand how Scouting can help someone throughout their life time. It has allowed him to become more at ease talking in front of a group.
"That's something I wasn't comfortable doing when I was younger," said Borgerding, who works at Hennen Lumber in Freeport.
Through Scouting he has traveled the country. He has also done video projects and developed his writing skills, and is a part of a podcast, all promoting Scouting.
When asked how long he will continue on as Scoutmaster, Borgerding admits he doesn't know. He's tried to resign four times during the last 26 years.
"But it never seems to work," said Borgerding.
He figures he will stay on at least until 2010 when the next National Jamboree takes place.
It also depends on the community.
"A troop needs the support of the community. It also needs members and the support of parents," said Borgerding, putting a plug in for parents to consider having their boys join Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting.
He's proof that the positives of Scouting are plentiful.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Article comment by:
mark
Great job Steve and keep up the great work. I just seems to me that resigning has never worked with any of the scouts and scouters that I have worked with either. They always need the people who are willing to give their time and talents to a organization like the scouts.
Yours in Scouting Service
Mark
