“The only time you seem truly alive is when you’re doing Scouting.”
For Senior District Executive Frank Griffin, Scouting was more than a volunteer role — it was the spark that reignited his purpose. After a career in construction and child protection services, Frank found a home in Scouting and hasn’t looked back since. Read how his journey from troop leader to professional Scouter is changing lives across Circle Ten.
This Is My Why: From Building Homes to Building Leaders
Why do you work for Circle Ten Council?
“Eighteen years ago, I felt unfulfilled working in the residential construction industry. Some of the most meaningful experiences I had during that time came not from construction, but from mentoring and leading youth mission trips. I decided to re-route my career path to do something for younger people.
My first foray into this was working for the State of Texas as a Child Abuse and Neglect Investigator. While that was important work and I was good at it, with each passing day I felt less joy in my life. I couldn’t properly compartmentalize the things I had seen and heard. My hair went from mostly brown to mostly gray—with some white—in less than four years.
Somewhere before that, I had become a Scout leader when my son joined Pack 342, and later Troop 342. But halfway through my four years at CPS, it became apparent that being Scoutmaster wasn’t doable with the demands of my job, so I had to step down.
The person who succeeded me in that role looked at me one day on a campout and said:
‘Your job is killing you. The only time you really seem alive and happy is when you’re doing Scouting and spending time with your family. You love Scouting. You should work for them.’
Despite going about it the wrong way, I was hired by Circle Ten Council in January of 2012, and I’ve never looked back again.
Why do you believe in Scouting?
“Wow, that’s a deep question. I often tell people that we’re a youth-serving mission. I talk to them about the impact Scouting had in making me a better father and the impact earning the rank of Eagle Scout had on my son’s life.
But while Scouting’s mission is focused on youth, I truly believe it’s also family focused. Stronger families raise stronger young adults who become better leaders and help build a better tomorrow. Just imagine if all of the current world leaders followed the tenets of the Scout Oath and Law. Baden-Powell imagined exactly that.”
Why is Scouting important for the youth of today?
“We like to think that Scouting is needed more today than ever, but Scouting has always been needed. When you read Baden-Powell’s description of youth in Britain when he returned to civilian life after military service, he described a generation in crisis. Young people in need of a moral compass and some gumption.
It is just as critical as it always has been and always will be.”
What impact have you seen—or personally experienced—through Scouting?
“I’ve seen a group of young people who were on camp staff in 2013 grow into productive adults. One is now training to become a Fort Worth police officer. Several are in the military. Some are teachers.
And of course, I’ve already mentioned the impact Scouting has had on my family. It’s been life-changing—for all of us.”
