Mr. Tom Kiley was a long-time Assistant Scoutmaster with me. He did an OUTSTANDING job working with the new scouts on getting through First Class, then I would take over from there. Tom loved Scouting, he was a youth member who could not get his First Class because he could not swim. That was the one thing that kept him from becoming an Eagle Scout. He worked on camp staff at Camp Chippecotton as a youth and would tell all kinds of stories about camp and how much he loved it. Tom and his son Phil attended Philmont together and he struggled with it, but I don’t think he ever regretted having that time with his son. When Tom died, we dedicated the Troop Trailer in his honor. There is a quote on the back of the trailer that sums up Mr. Kiley well. He says the following.
No man stands taller
Than when he kneels down to teach a child.
Tom I miss your wisdom, insight and your focus to stick to Scouting basics and principles. Thank you for all you did to make me a successful Scoutmaster all these years, I often think, what would Mr. Kiley do? Not sure you would like all the changes in Scouting, but I know you and I would have a good conversation about them and come to some mutual understanding and put these new ideas into play.
Comments