The Church has been partners with Scouting for almost a century — working together to craft strong boys into strong men.

Courtesy Charles Dahlquist II

Young Men General President Charles W. Dahlquist II, left, enjoys fellowship at a 2004 Scout encampment in Smith Creek, Nev.. Scouting's "timeless values," said Brother Dahlquist, helps prepare young men for missions and lives of service.

That's not about to change, insists Young Men General President Charles W. Dahlquist II.

"I don't know of a time when our relationship has been any stronger with Scouting," Brother Dahlquist said during a recent Church News interview focusing on the "state of Scouting" in the Church. The Young Men president emphasized the importance that Scouting plays as the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood, and commented on his concerns for older Scouts, leadership training and parental support.

"Periodically, we hear questions (regarding) how strong Scouting is in the Church," he said. "It is very important to me that the message gets to the end of the row that Scouting is a significant and vital part of the Church's Young Men activity program."

Brother Dahlquist pointed out that President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, is the longest-serving member of the Boy Scouts of America's National Executive Board. Brother Dahlquist sits on the same board, while his two counselors, Dean R. Burgess and Michael A. Neider, along with Elder F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy, serve on the BSA's National Advisory Council.

"We are very much involved," Brother Dahlquist said.

The Church, he added, continues its partnership with Scouting because it works.

Still, improvement could be made to help Aaronic Priesthood holders enjoy all of Scouting's benefits.

Brother Dahlquist said he and other Church leaders are concerned for "the older boys" — those young men who are sometimes regarded as too old for Scouting. "We are losing our boys as they turn 14, 15, 16 and 17. Those are critical ages for young men."

Even young men who earned their Eagle Scout Award as deacons are wise to continue with Scouting's Venture and Varsity programs through their teacher and priest years, Brother Dahlquist said. Young men of all ages are well served by the "timeless values" that Scouting teaches.

Keeping teachers and priests involved with the Scouting program will come only if solid leaders are called and properly trained. Brother Dahlquist points to the four T's of strong Scout leadership: Testimony. Training. Time. Tenure.

It's essential that the men and women who serve in Scouting come to the calling possessed with a strong gospel testimony. With such testimony in place, proper training can begin. There are those "who are natural leaders of young men. There are others who become that by training," Brother Dahlquist said.

Time-tested Scouting leadership training programs such as the Wood Badge Course are in place and anxious to help earnest youth leaders become skilled Scout leaders. Through Wood Badge and other training opportunities, Scout leaders become acquainted with the many available resources. An effective Scout leader need not hail from an extensive Scouting background. He or she doesn't need to own rapelling equipment or even a four-wheel-drive vehicle. They simply need to catch the vision of Scouting, Brother Dahlquist said.

The most well-trained Scout leader is of little value if he can't make time for his charges. "No matter how a good a leader is, if he is out of town and not able to meet on a regular basis with the boys and be available, he is not going to be and effective leader," Brother Dahlquist said. "The boys need somebody that they can be with."

Savvy Scout leaders typically make savvy elders quorum presidents and bishopric counselors. But Brother Dahlquist hopes bishops and branch presidents will leave recently called Scout leaders in their callings for a few years unless directed to by the Spirit.

Scouting also provides parents an invaluable vehicle for parents who want to deepen their relationships with Aaronic Priesthood age sons, Brother Dahlquist added. Today's youth have to deal with a host of frightening issues. The Scouting program and resources offer answers for dealing with such matters that can benefit young men and parents alike. "Parents need to be involved in their boys' lives. Scouting provides an ideal way."

Besides serving as a Scout leaders, Brother Dahlquist said moms and dads are needed in support roles — providing, say, transportation, food and, again, time.

Scouting and the Duty To God program work together to build spiritual, skilled, well-balanced young men. The First Presidency, said Brother Dahlquist, has stated they want all young LDS men in the United States and Canada to earn Scouting's Eagle Award and young men everywhere to claim the Duty To God medal.

Together Scouting and the Duty To God program provide young men, and their families, with activities that become "the glue that binds principles of the gospel to the soul."

E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com