Scouting Made Me A Better Dad
From shaping his approach to fatherhood to witnessing his stepson grow into a young man of character, Michael Garcia’s story is a testament to the generational impact of the Scouting movement. It’s not just a job, it’s a deeply personal journey.
Why do you work for Circle Ten Council?
Circle Ten Council gave me my first professional opportunity and fostered my abilities to become a true proponent of Scouting’s mission — both in passion and skill.
Why do you believe in Scouting?
There are a lot of reasons I believe in Scouting, but the moment it really clicked for me was when it helped me think through what kind of dad I wanted to be for my stepson, Kevin.
He was five years old when we had to read “How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.” Reading that sparked something in me and gave me a framework for thinking through questions that many parents start asking when they find out they’re expecting: how I would keep him safe, what my parenting style should be, my approach to balancing fatherhood with friendship, and so much more.
Why is Scouting important for the youth of today?
Scouting is important for so many reasons, but two stand out most to me:
- Today’s youth are facing a lack of meaningful social interaction, they’re overwhelmed with anxiety, and many live in a mostly virtual world. For a huge swath of them, Scouting provides the antidote to that — a grounding, real-life space to connect, grow, and belong.
- Scouting equips young people with the skills, leadership experience, character development, and spiritual grounding they need to succeed in life. It’s one of the greatest investments of time that a youth — or the adults who care about them — can make in helping them become the best possible version of themselves.
What impact have you seen—or personally experienced—through Scouting?
I’ve seen Scouting build men who grow to be better than those who taught them. Personally, I’ve seen it in my son. He’s a better man, a better Christian, and better character — with the potential for a better future than I could have ever imagined.
The greatest share of credit for that goes to those who have poured into him through Scouting. He’s the living proof of how Scouting’s outsized influence can create someone greater than the sum of their parts.
