Boy Scouts - Cub Scouts - Sea Scouts and Joel Reckley - A Community Leader
By Mary H. MacKenzie

Please Click HERE for Scouting News - Sea Base - Boy Scouts of America

"I'd live to help in the community, but I just don't have the time or energy!" How many times have you said or thought that? One person can make a difference! This is a story about one of those all-too-rare-Bahamians, a giving volunteer who is willing to make a personal sacrifice in order to better his community and help his fellow Bahamians.

Joel Reckley, 39, grew up on Green Turtle Cay, served in the church from an early age as an acolyte and became so proficient in the workings of the church that he now serves as Master of Ceremonies at St. Peters, training all the acolytes. He was also active in the Boys Brigade as a young person.

A 14-year veteran and Supervisor for BEC working out of Marsh Harbour, Joel is supposed to work 40 hours a week but frequently puts in as many as 50 to 60 hours. His wife Bridget runs the American Eagle desk at the Marsh Harbour airport. They have two sons, eight-year-old Joel, Jr., and Javon, age six. Holding down a responsible position, raising those two boys and tending to his church and other duties would be enough for most people. But Joel saw a challenge and need in his community and rose to meet it.

About six years ago the Boy Scouts of the Bahamas based in Freeport came to Green Turtle Cay. At that meeting Joel was singled out as a potential leader for the Scouts. He saw this program as a way to instill leadership qualities in the young men of his town. He has been the Scout Leader on Green Turtle Cay ever since. The program involves Sea Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Joel started with 13 boys in 1994 and seven of them have completed their basic training. This consists of First Aid training, camping, outdoor activities and leadership training. The boys range in age from 10 to 16. One of the features of Joel's training is "Disciplinary Maneuvers and Drilling." This exercise teaches the boys to listen and the art of corporate discipline. Currently Joel has nine Cub Scouts and four Boy Scouts in his troop. The older boys help with training of the younger ones, perpetuating the program. Joel is firm with the boys in a gentle way, and it is obvious they respect and appreciate his time and attention.

"Why?" Joel was asked, "do you spend so much time with those kids?" He would like them to learn respect and discipline. two qualities he thinks are missing in many of today's young people. "No one else stepped up to the plate," he said. He loves children and hates to see them falling astray as many fathers are absent from their lives. "If just one boy turns his life around," he said, "all the time and effort is worth it." He cites the qualities of patience, listening and understanding the needs of the boys as keys to successful training.

As the boys pass from his troop to young adulthood, Joel hopes that they can use what they have learned to be future leaders in the community. That is just one measure of time well spent for Joel. Strong and caring Bahamians like Joel provide a positive role model for all ages. Perhaps his example will encourage you to find a place to use your skills to better our community. Remember, one person really can make a difference. Just ask Joel's Scouts.

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Scouting News - Sea Base - Boy Scouts of America
By Capt. Richard Canfield, Bahamas Director

Boy Scouts Return to Abaco

On June 5 the Boy Scouts High Adventure Bahamas Program began its 10th year of operations in Abaco. The program is designed to be demanding and challenging for the Scouts who perform all the tasks involved in sailing 40-foot to 85-foot boats in the Sea of Abaco. In addition, they cook, clean, polish brass and stand anchor watches at night. Troops come from all over the United States and must have no prior sailing experience. The ages range from 13 to 18 years.

We are happy to report that the Man-O-War built schooner, William H. Albury, has been rebuilt after the damage suffered last fall in Hurricane Floyd and again is the flagship of our fleet. The William H. was greeted with boat horns and applause when she returned to Marsh Harbour last month after 108 days in the boat yard in Miami.

The program has expanded considerable this year. The number of Scouts participating will increase from 600 last year to 800 this year. In addition, we ran an extra program for four weeks this past spring. We would like to thank the Abaco community for their support and assistance. We look forward to a great season in your beautiful islands.