Volunteer Spotlight: Chris Cowles

Volunteers each have their own reasons for choosing to give. Some are very personal, others more practical.

In Chris Cowles' case, it simply comes naturally.

He's the Cubmaster of Pack 15 in New Rochelle, incorporating the outdoor bent of a childhood in the serenity of Western Massachusetts' Berkshire Mountains into his work with local children.

He manages all of the dens that comprise the pack, which is made up of boys from grades 1-5.

“Being able to share my knowledge and share my experience in the outdoors is something I really enjoy doing,” Cowles said.

The Boy Scouts of America program is almost entirely run by volunteers nationwide, so not only is Cowles putting in long hours — on the order of 20 or more hours per week — but also working with the BSA's many parent volunteers.

“Every year we have a Dad or two who has never camped out or has little experience in the outdoors but they learn and become great leaders and sharing that experience with their own boys I think brings them together as well,” Cowles said, adding this as a good-natured joke: “I will say however that I usually have more first aid emergencies for dads than kids though!"

The boys in Pack 15 go camping quite a bit throughout the year, even participating in the Thunderbird Games, a large scouting event held at Croton Point Park in the fall with more than 3,500 boy scouts in attendance from the surrounding area.

In his fourth year as Cubmaster, Cowles has worked hard to make the organization fun and interesting for the boys, thinking up new ideas for programs and engaging the boys in as many different kinds of experiences as possible.

Cowles said that despite some peaks and valleys, he has seen an increase in the number of boys participating in the scouting program and especially during the economic recession, it may be more cost effective for parents to have their son or daughter participate.

“Considering the activities that we engage in, all of the skills the boys learn and the experiences they have, it is definitely a cheaper alternative than other organizations,” Cowles said.

His own two boys are in the scouting program and while Cowles works by day as a handyman, the scouting program has certainly turned into a family activity in their house, with his wife assisting as well on many outings and den meetings.

"There is a great sense of camaraderie when it comes to the scouting program and I think the parents find that their kids hang out together and become friends and even that they make friends themselves with other parents,” Cowles said.