LDS Latinos being served by Scouting
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When Noel Rios sat out on his front porch last summer to enjoy the evening cool, he'd witness a procession outside his home that left him troubled. Latino teenage boys — many of them immigrants to Brother Rios' Heber City, Utah, community — would pass by each night, wandering up and down his street. The boys appeared to have no structure in their lives and little direction.
They needed Scouting, decided Brother Rios.
At the time, Brother Rios was serving as the president of the Heber 13th (Spanish) Branch of the Heber City Utah Stake. The small branch was made up largely of immigrant families from Mexico and Central and South America and had never sponsored a Scout troop. So Brother Rios filled out the necessary paperwork and, last August, formally organized Troop 1308 of Scouting's Utah National Parks Council. The branch's maiden troop consisted of a single Scout. Brother Rios was the Scoutmaster.
A few months later, Brother Rios was released as branch president — but he insisted on remaining the Scoutmaster. In seven months, the troop has grown from one Scout to about a dozen — including several who are not Church members. Despite limited resources, they have camped together, learned new skills and become friends.
The Heber City boys represent a growing number of Latino immigrants across the United States who are finding a constructive, educational and, yes, fun experience through LDS-sponsored Scout troops.
Andres Ramos is a retired FBI agent and member of the Church's Young Men General Board. He's also a decorated Scout leader who has been instrumental in organizing and training Scout troops and leaders in Spanish-language Church units in northern Utah. Like Brother Rios, Brother Ramos believes Scouting can help immigrant boys become a contributing element of their community. Scouting, he added, provides a healthy alternative for young men facing lives possibly burdened by poverty and gangs.
"Scouting can surround a young man within a system of success," said Brother Ramos.
As the activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood, Scouting can be instrumental in helping develop a deacon, teacher or priest as he prepares for a mission, family life, careers and lifelong Church service. Still, the program is not always an easy sell in the Latino immigrant community, according to Brother Ramos.
Most immigrant parents know little about Scouting. Some may think the program is exclusive to the Anglo communities — "an American thing." Additionally, few priesthood leaders serving in Spanish-language wards or branches come from Scouting backgrounds or have much Scout training.
Still, Church leaders from President Thomas S. Monson to Brother Ramos and Brother Rios agree Scouting is very helpful for all young men who have access to the program. For one, it provides wards and branches with a proven, organized activity program for LDS boys.
"We don't have to reinvent the wheel," said Brother Ramos. Scouting and its system of rank advancements, merit badges, service and leadership is designed to prepare a young man for success in his Church, family, community and profession.
When an immigrant boy puts on the Scout uniform, he becomes a part of something larger than himself. The American flag on the boy's right sleeve represents his place in his adopted country. "It means he's a part of the community — he's become a part of the Scout family," said Brother Ramos. The awards and patches sewn on the front of the uniform herald achievement, personal growth and development.
Last summer, Brother Ramos watched as some 50 Latino Scouts from eight Spanish-language branches from the Ogden area marched in the city's Pioneer Day parade. Such activities allow parents of the immigrant Scouts to feel they, too, have a home and voice in their new communities.
Michael Clara has served as a Scoutmaster in a Spanish-language branch in Salt Lake City's Rose Park community. Scouting has provided his charges with leadership opportunities that have put them in contact with a variety of folks from their community. They have met with business, government and military leaders. While earning merit badges, they have developed job interests that will help them make career choices. When a Scout from Brother Clara's troop earns his Eagle Award, he typically finds himself empowered with Scout-taught skills and savvy that will serve him well in any arena.
Scouting is not a panacea for the many problems facing LDS Hispanic young men or any other boy. Brother Ramos has witnessed young men from his Scout troops fall into gangs and make bad choices. Brother Rios, meanwhile, is saddened that not all his Scouts are participating fully in the program. Still, they remain believers in the potential of a Boy Scout.
Brother Ramos points to one LDS young man who came to the United State from Peru. When he arrived, the boy did not speak much English. His family did not have much money. Because of such challenges, the boy was vulnerable to the enticements of gangs and other trouble. Fortunately, the boy's immigrant branch had a functioning Scouting program. He pulled on the khaki uniform, began earning merit badges and accepted leadership duties in his troop and quorum. Now that young man is a full-time missionary, said Brother Ramos. He will return to his home prepared in Scout fashion to serve his Church and community.
"Scouting helped that young man recognize leadership potential in himself," Brother Ramos said.
The keys to Scouting success in immigrant units, he added, are no different than in traditional wards and branches: Parents and leaders must accept and support the program. Language need not be a barrier. Scouting provides many materials in Spanish, and leadership training is available for Scouting newcomers and veterans alike.
Brother Ramos has represented the Young Men General Board in recent travels to areas of the United States with large Latino immigrant communities such as Texas and New York. The local leaders shared with him concerns that some young men from their units are falling prey to poor choices that jeopardize their future. He offers them the same direction President Monson and other Church leaders have provided repeatedly: Organize and utilize Scouting.
