To the Editor:
Our Boy Scout troop did a lot of camping, and attended quite a few multi-troop camping events. At one such event, our troop camped with others, and there was some free time.

Our boys, including “Georgie,” the smallest new member of the troop, joined with other Scouts, to play free of adult interference. Our troop’s dads enjoyed some quiet time, coffee, and camaraderie.

Suddenly, a very upset Georgie returned to our troop’s campsite, and announced that a much bigger boy, from another troop, had hit him, as the boys played together. I asked the other dads to continue to enjoy their quiet time, and I advised that I would investigate and resolve the situation.

Together, Georgie and I returned to the group of boys, who had continued to play.

Georgie identified the offender, a rather large lad, somewhat bigger than myself. Together, Georgie and I approached the bigger boy. I offered my hand, and introduced myself to the bigger lad.

I explained that I was Georgie’s troop leader, and I recounted what Georgie had told me. The bigger boy introduced himself politely, and advised that he had indeed hit Georgie, but only after Georgie had hit him first. This brought the boys’ play to a brief end.

I turned to Georgie, to ascertain the veracity of the lad’s account, and Georgie confirmed the story relayed by the bigger boy.

Armed with the whole story, and knowing the value of defusing a bad situation, I instructed Georgie and the bigger boy to hug each other, there in front of all of the boys present, and to apologize to each other for having exchanged blows.

The two combatants did as I’d instructed, and laughed at the absurdity of the situation. All of the other boys immediately joined in the laughter, and the problem was resolved. The boys continued their unsupervised play with no further incidents.

I returned to the dads, the coffee, and the campfire, to recount the resolution of the issue. We all shared a laugh, just as had the boys.

I am forever enriched by having been involved with Boy Scouts, and the boys, now men, who were in the troop. 

Edgar V. Tolmie

Altamont