One week, Rudy Kagerer volunteered to help out the scoutmaster of his son's Cub Scout troop. The next week, he became the scoutmaster.
That began a 60-year pursuit that slowed down just two years ago when Kagerer could no longer keep up on the hikes. But at 85 years old, the Athens man still attends ceremonies, mentors Eagle Scout candidates and attends as many events as he can.
Kagerer was a Boy Scout himself for a short time, but with all the young men in his Connecticut hometown away serving in World War II, his troop dissolved without a leader.
Kagerer wouldn't let that happen for boys in the communities where he has lived, including the past 45 years in Athens, where he worked on the faculty of the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business from 1971 to 1993.
"I have no idea how many boys (have been in the troops along the journey)," he said, adding that he has kept up with the count of 61 Eagle Scouts, which is the highest rank for boys in the organization.
His own sons, Eric and Daniel, spent some time in his troop, but their father's volunteerism far exceeded their membership. Being a Boy Scout is fun, Kagerer said, but it is about more than that.
Boy Scouts learn a lot of skills — from first aid to cooking — but the skills aren't the most important part of the program, Kagerer said.
"I think the most important thing is a sense of honor. You give your word; you're bound by that," he said. "There's a sense of honor that runs through everything you do. That's really the heart of the program.
"The boys think the heart of the program is camping and hiking, but those are only means to an end," he said.
Kagerer said he wasn't bitter about the scoutmaster who left him in charge. In fact, he understands how the man, who was a personal friend, got burned out from the role.
So Kagerer said he made sure to set up his troops with plenty of help. He advises current scout leaders to take advantage of parents willing to lend a hand.
"You can't do everything by yourself. If you try, you are going to burn out. So I immediately started recruiting the parents to help," he said.
He delegated tasks like taking care of the finances and keeping track of permission slips.
"I was concerned with helping the boys understand the Scout Law. Other people could take care of other things," Kagerer said.
In his experience, Kagerer said, parents are willing to assist, as long as you help them figure out the right structure or process.
"Parents, they want their kids to succeed," he said.
Through the Scouts, Kagerer said, both parents and their sons can find fulfillment.
In the end, he said, the most important lesson you learn in the Boy Scouts is: "Be true to yourself, and you can be untrue to no man."
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