Having completed more than 30 years as a warranted Scouter I am more than ever convinced that, properly used Scouting provides an opportunity second to none, to exert a powerful influence on the Scouts under the charge of a Scouter. And yet how often does one hear the excuse offered, when approaching someone to come in and lend a hand, "Oh I would like to be able to help but I'm sorry I haven't the time "what a tragedy! And its just that they simply don't know what an opportunity and challenge they are so lightly throwing away.

Here is another thought, and perhaps a new one. State education in New Zealand is Free, Compulsory and Secular. Scouting therefore has a useful part to play in the all round development of its members, as Scouting is not Free, is not Compulsory and its foundation is definitely Christian. The Scouter has a big responsibility in helping his Scouts understand the second part of the Promise, to help other people at all times.

I have recently completed our annual camp and out of a total membership of 32, I took 30 boys to camp. Here again, if run on the Patrol System and under the right conditions, what a tremendous lever the Scouter holds in moulding the lives of the Scouts placed in their care. Once again I say "what an opportunity, what a challenge!"

The Scout system of training will never go out of date because it is founded on eternal laws of human conduct. That was the genius of Baden-Powell; the laws of Psychology were not well known when BP launched the Scout Movement to the World, but today we know that the laws operating in the main foundation system of Scout training are all based on sound Psychological Laws, and those laws will never go out of date as they are the laws governing human conduct.

There is no doubt about it all; BP was a genius of no mean order. But do we given his system of training the careful study it deserves? Do we operate it as he designed it? I sometimes wonder.

I have lightly touched on some of the more important aspects of the Scouters sphere of influence, but I go back to the original theme. "The Scouters Job". It is an honour and a privilege to be a Scout Leader. The opportunity of service to the young people and the power of influencing their lives are tremendous charges. Do we realize this? What an Opportunity! What a Challenge!

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