#PeopleFirst Friday: Ash Munro

One of Ash Munro’s fondest memories as a child was growing up as a Boy Scout, so it would only make sense that he would grow up to be a “Scout Dad.”

 “I was a scout as soon as I was age eligible, which I think was first grade at the time. I was in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, hit Eagle Scout, and was active until I graduated high school. I was then on Junior Leadership training staff for the council for four years, and then took a really long break from it.” CSMP’s Managing Director of Production recalled.

 When Munro’s oldest son Jackson joined Scouts, Munro would take him to every meeting and go on every camping trip, describing himself as an “active dad.” However, the Boy Scouts knew his history, but allowed him to get “involved” at his own pace. After initially serving as the “Popcorn Colonel” for the scouts’ annual sale, Munro would eventually go on to be Assistant Scout Master for his son’s Troop.

 Now with both Jackson, 14, and his younger brother McKinley, 12, both involved in Scouts, Munro notes that his motivation to continue to be involved stems from lessons he learned during his own days in Scouts.

 “When you hit Eagle Scout, when you do the ceremony, the common refrain is ‘You’re Not Done.’ You are always going to step up. You’re going to see a need, and you’re going to fill it,” Munro said. “I wanted my sons to be able to have the same opportunity that I did. I can’t just say ‘Okay, I’m going to drop you off and the other guys will do it.’ I have to do it. That’s what was ingrained in me.”

 “I enjoy seeing the growth in them. I get to have the moments where I teach them something, and then, not two years later, I get to see them teach it to someone else,” he continued. “They’re at the age now where they ride the bus, I’ll drive my truck, and we won’t see each other while they’re doing the activities, but we’ll see each other at dinner or campfire. I’m seeing them enjoy themselves, but I’m not there. I’m watching them become their own.”