“To Help Other People at all Times;” to be “Brave” and “Reverent.” These parts of the Scout Oath and Law and Scoutings Motto “Be Prepared” immediately came to mind when I first heard about the devastating tornado that hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch on June 11 in western Iowa.

There were four fatalities among the 40 who were hospitalized. Although one news account described these boys as “Elite Scouts” in my view they were typical of most boys who have been in Boy Scouting three or four years. Not only have they learned first aid and Scouting skills but have developed leadership skills and a sense of caring and concern for other people including their fellow Scouts. Five days after the storm, the Mid-America Council opened up Little Sioux for a private visit by the Scouts who had been at the Camp when the tornado hit. Families as well as the emergency services personnel who responded to the tragedy were also invited. Bob Mazzusa, the chief Scout executive for the Boy Scouts of America, was there that day and recounted what he saw and how he felt. ...

“People hugged and at one point, the father of a Scout who had lost his life met up with a Scout who had survived. It was an intentional gathering. It was the reason this particular Scout traveled to the ranch. You see, the Scout had been overcome by grief because he wasn't able to revive the parent's son. The injuries his son had sustained when the tornado hit were just too severe. ... he died instantly. The father and the Scout came together and embraced and healed. It was a sight I'll never forget.

“The awesome power of the tornado was clear. Thousands of trees lay strewn around like an emptied box of toothpicks. In the trees that did remain standing, clothes, tents, and sleeping bags draped from their highest branches. There was absolutely nothing left of the ranch keeper's home, it was completely leveled to the ground. The local sheriff said he had never seen anything like it and, given the hilly terrain of the camp, it was totally unexpected. ‘Tornadoes just don't come here,' he said.

“This was the perfect storm. And, seeing the camp as I did today, I have a more complete appreciation for the heroic response by our Scouts. These young men left even the most experienced of the paramedics awestruck. Amazed by how they used their Scout skills and triaged the situation well before the responders arrived. It is a case study in how to do things right in a terrible situation like this. Our Scouts have left a lot of lessons for others to learn.

“This was an incredible force of nature. But, it was met by an incredible group of kids.

“I am so very proud to be a Scout.”

Scout Eric Kuehl wrote this beautiful prayer in memory of his good friend and Troop mate Joshua Fennen, who was lost in the storm:

Dear God,

Please help all who are in need now. Help all the boys who have been injured or killed in this tragedy, and help their families too. Please find a place for Josh in your kingdom and help his family and friends who have suffered the loss of him. Tell him we miss him and all wish that it wouldn't have been his time. We are thankful Lord that you have given us a chance to be with such an amazing person. Try to give us a chance to look at all the things we have and be thankful for them. Help us to try to think of all the good instead of the bad in this time of sorrow.

Amen

It is in times like these that we are reminded why we do what we do in Scouting. And we give thanks to the hundreds of volunteer leaders.

Don Grillo is the Scout executive for the Cayuga County Council, Boy Scouts of America.