I’m predisposed to look to the future, not the past. As such, with coronavirus vaccinations rolling out and a potential end to rolling lockdowns imminent, I think it’s time to start diverting some thinking away from mitigating the challenges of the pandemic towards planning for what comes after.
And the biggest piece, for me, is that kids give up and never come back. So easily. One bad coach in fourth grade ends a soccer passion. One bad music teacher turns a kid off from singing. One bad Patrol Leader turns a kid off of Scouting.
Of course, if those things can turn kids off of passions – potentially permanently, what about months of remote Scout meetings? What about a full calendar year with no public concerts to demonstrate their love of singing or playing? What about a year with no crew meets?
It’s on us – the adult leaders who know the value of the experiences we facilitate, and who know the passion young people have for the activities they’re involved in. It’s on us to inspire, excite, retain, and recruit into 2021 and beyond. The future of so many experiences depends on our ability to not let the attrition of 2020 become permanent.