Bill O’Donnell never pictured himself as a Boy Scout leader.  He began by default when his then 11-year-old son’s leader left, and he was the only parent who didn’t travel for his job.  However, he has found the volunteer work so satisfying that 12 years later he continues to serve as a Scout Master for Troop 161 despite the fact that he no longer has children involved in Scouts.  For his dedication, Bill O’Donnell has been awarded the April Left Hand Laurel.
      “It keeps you involved in going on hikes and camp-outs,” he said of volunteering, “It’s also really satisfying to work with the young   kids and see them, when they are three or four years older, doing the things you tried to teach them.”  
 He especially enjoys watching boys help one another.  “You see kids be involved and help others, and it almost seems out of character.  It’s not always cool to be nice to somebody younger.  You’ve presented them with the opportunity to bring out the best in them.”
 O’Donnell said the thing he finds most frustrating is that young people are involved in too many organizations, and they end up not being able to dedicate themselves to one activity.  
O’Donnell feels the most important skills a young man gains in Boy Scouts are leadership skills, organizational skills and the ability to use teamwork in tough situations.  “They learn the value of going out and testing themselves; unless someone encourages them, they wouldn’t have done it.  It’s also a good opportunity for kids who are not involved in athletics to be part of a team.”
According to O’Donnell, volunteering for Boy Scouts is a great way for parents to become involved in their child’s life.  “It provides an opportunity for the parent and kid to do things together that it might otherwise be difficult for them to do.  We get the trip all planned, and it’s easy for the mom or dad to just come along.”
Recent activities for Troop 161 include competing in a survival skill tournament – the Klondike Derby, and taking a spring break trip to Key West to snorkel, scuba dive and sail.
Bill O’Donnell grew up in Boulder, and went to Boulder High.  He has lived in the Haystack area for fifteen years with his wife Lee.  His son Sam attends the University of Colorado and his daughter Katlin goes to Colgate University in Hamilton New York.
O’Donnell wanted to thank all of the parents, dads and moms, who help out with the troop.  He also said his work would not be possible without the help of Dennis Capalla, and Dave Hall, the high adventure leader.  Additionally, he is very grateful for the young men who have since graduated who come back to help out with the troop from time to time. “I’d have never guessed I would have done this for eleven or twelve years; but the kids and relationships keep you coming back because they are so fun to be around.”
Bill O’Donnell says that there are many rewards from volunteering.  “You feel like you are doing something with your life.  We all have some purpose bigger than just us.  It doesn’t have to be the perfect purpose, just anything.”
 

Photo by Laura Whilden

Bill O’Donnell