Operation On Target — 1991
July 20, 1991 found me on the summit of Mt. Raymond (10,246 ft. elevation) with another youth leader and three of our Varsity Scouts to participate in the annual Varsity Scout activity, Operation On Target. We had backpacked up to a beautiful alpine meadow the day before and camped there overnight, ascending the peak the next morning. On Target is one of my favorite scouting activities, which involves reflecting sunlight to scouts on other peaks with aiming mirrors. This year was outstanding because we arranged to have our families meet at a church parking lot at a specific time and we reflected back and forth to each other. I had taught Susan, Anne, and John how to use small reflecting mirrors, and they had a great time. It was thrilling. The mother of one of our scouts shed tears as she later described to me her feelings when she first saw our flashes, realizing that her son was safe. The comparison between On Target reflecting and reflecting the light of the Savior in our personal lives is beautiful and uplifting to think about. Our times of closeness with the Lord are most often brief flashes of inspiration or insight, just as our “On Target” contacts are brief flashes from afar. Scouting continues to bring wonderful, moving experiences into my life and the lives of my family members.
Click here to return to the Personal Life Journal index