Minute by Minute

Where do we find men and women, all servant leaders, who agree to serve as Scoutmasters or unit leaders for their local community? It takes a measure of selflessness and commitment to a cause, without ever asking anything in return. The volunteer payday may not come until years later, at an Eagle Court of Honor, perhaps, or just hearing about the success and happiness of one of your Scouts so many years later. Often leading by example, or sometimes by offering a well-timed piece of advice, the impact that a unit leader can have on a young Scout’s life is hard to measure, but always present.
Sometimes that advice can be found in the Scoutmaster’s Minute, that moment at the end of the troop meeting where you give the Scouts something to think about until your next time together. It need not be a lecture, could often be a spontaneous thought, but sometimes it can benefit from a little preparation and forethought.
I enjoyed reading Larry Carpenter’s new book, Minute by Minute, a collection of Scoutmaster Minutes. The book is a wonderful collection of short but impactful messages, all well researched and often based on the real life success stories of people who made a difference in their own lives. Minute by Minute provides a ready reference for every new and seasoned Scoutmaster. True to the Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared, this wonderful collection will provide you with a ready reference of thoughtful and inspiring messages, all grounded in the Scout Oath and Law, that you can use with your Scouts.
Larry Carpenter, himself a Scoutmaster of many years, brings a wealth of Scout experience to his assembly of Scoutmaster Minutes. I have known Larry since we were in our teens, serving together as national officers of the Exploring program of the Boy Scouts of America. Larry quickly surfaced as a national youth leader, and I watched with pride from the lawn of the White House as President Ford welcomed Larry as the new National Explorer President. His journey as a servant leader was only starting at that point, and no one could have imagined the rich and rewarding time that we have enjoyed together.
I hope that you enjoy Minute by Minute, and trust that it will become a well-read book on your Scoutmaster bookshelf as you pursue your own journey on the Scouting trail.
Scott Sorrels
National Commissioner
Boy Scouts of America

A Scoutmaster holds a sacred trust. Every week, whether in the basement of the church, on the top of the mountain, or at the end of a rainy hike, the Scouts array themselves in a circle and the Scoutmaster shares with them some lessons concerning life. Sometimes the Scoutmaster will address an inspirational topic. Sometimes he will address the need for safety or cohesion on tomorrow’s rappelling adventure. Maybe she will praise a Scout or a Patrol and hold up their team spirit as an exemplar for others.
No matter what, the magic of Scouting takes place while the Scouts look up in the calm of the moment and the old Scoutmaster shares his wisdom, strength, encouragement, and care for the Scouts. In his book, Scoutmaster Carpenter shares some of the finest moments from his years speaking from the heart to eager faces soaking up lessons and stories they will carry with them the rest of their lives. When the Scouts of his troop look back on their experience with the Boy Scouts of America, they will first remember Larry’s heartfelt messages, which they will carry in their own hearts and pass along, in their time, to others.
Ray Capp, Longtime Scoutmaster, Former National Order of the Arrow Chairman, and member of the BSA National Executive Board

I met Larry Carpenter in 1975 during the BSA’s National Explorer Presidents’ Congress. He was a contender for National President and was elected by over 2,000 young adults in attendance from all over the USA. He gave outstanding leadership that year, and I wasn’t surprised to learn that he was also an Eagle Scout. The motto he learned in that process was “Be Prepared.” Scoutmasters and others in leadership positions are called upon to provide sound counsel to their members at every meeting, which can sometimes be a challenge. Minute by Minute: A Collection of 100 of the Best Scoutmaster’s Minutes is just what you’ve been looking for. Larry gives us an excellent collection of “minutes” in support of Scouting goals.
John Oaks Thurston, Retired Scout Executive

Larry and I have known each other since our teenage Exploring years in the 1970s. But I haven’t kept up with the experience that Larry accumulated as a unit leader of Troops and Crews. I like the way he has compiled this collection of inspirational minutes using the Scout Oath and Law as the organizational framework making it easy for the rest of us to use. I also appreciate how his minutes take a broad interpretation of each of the elements. The stories he relates make us think about how to apply what could be viewed as narrow concepts such as trustworthy, loyal, helpful, and friendly into a wider view of what it is to live as a Scout in everyday life. Larry makes the words we have taught for over 100 years come alive in our actions, “words to live by!”
Richard A. Davies, Former National Explorer President and CEO of Greater New York Councils

Serving as a District Executive for the Occoneechee Council in Raleigh, North Carolina, I met Larry Carpenter, a thirteen-year-old Scout in Troop 357. Larry went on to become an Eagle Scout. When Explorer Post 5 sponsored by WRAL-TV was formed in 1969, he joined this Explorer Post.
As Camp Director of Camp Durant in 1970 and 1972, I hired Larry to work in our camp kitchen and dining hall. He went on to work on the council camp staff for nine additional years. However, my greatest thrill was attending the National Explorer Presidents’ Congress in Washington, DC in 1975 and seeing Larry elected as the National Explorer President. It was very exciting to see President Gerald Ford install Larry on the White House lawn with other Explorers and adult leaders attending the Congress.
I could readily see that Larry was a natural born leader and he went on to serve Scouting in countless ways. This book is a prime example of his service and commitment. While I never had the chance to see Larry in action as a Scoutmaster, I am certain his Scoutmaster’s Minutes were rewarding and inspiring for his young Scouts. This book will enable other Scoutmasters to share these same great Scoutmaster’s Minutes with their Scouts at their weekly Scout meetings.
J. Rex Thomas, Former District Executive, Member of Council Board of Directors, and Commercial Real Estate Executive