Most of us have spent a good deal of our time during the last week dealing with the mess left behind in the wake of Frankenstorm Sandy. Some are still without power as a result of the storm.

From this I hope you have learned there's more to being prepared than knowing first aid. Real preparedness is many things—knowledge, confidence, and having the necessary equipment on hand when it's needed. We need to be ready for any emergency.

Readiness for emergency action not only requires skill in first aid, but also the ability to communicate well, to think through a problem, and to work together as a patrol, or family.

Those are the kinds of skills that are useful in a disaster. If our town was hit by a hurricane or a tornado, we might be called out to help rescuers, but maybe we wouldn't be asked to do any first aid. We could be asked to serve as messengers, direct traffic, or cook and serve food.

That's why it's important that we prepare ourselves by learning more about our community and by practicing all sorts of Scout skills. And that's why it's important that you take full advantage of what Scouting has to offer by taking part in all our activities and doing your best to move up in rank. By the time you're a First Class scout, you should be prepared for many kinds of service.