My Other Life with Lori Norian

Lori Norian and her son at Pack 110’s Pinewood Derby in 2013.

PM360 recently spoke to Lori Norian, Vice President of Marketing, Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., makers of Zicam Cold Remedy, about being an Assistant Scout Master.

PM360: How did you become involved with the Boy Scouts of America?

Lori Norian: As a working mother, it’s very important to me to not only make substantive connections with the other families in our town but also to volunteer. Growing up in a densely populated area in NJ, I’m also mindful that families are less and less exposed to camping and other outdoor activities. As an avid summer camper and scout myself, I was very interested in my kids becoming scouts. As a result, I’ve been involved with the Boy Scouts of America since my son became a Tiger Cub Scout in 2010. I became the Den Leader for his age group and, along with assistant leaders, led the boys through the five-year program.

What do you enjoy most about being a scout leader?

During his Cub Scout years, I enjoyed planning the lessons and making sure that activities were hands-on. I also enjoyed really getting to know the boys and families that were part of our den. Over the years, tremendous friendships were formed and I was very proud when our Cub Scout den bridged over to Boy Scouts. And of course, I truly appreciated the additional time spent with my son.

What is different now that your son made the transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts?

As an adult leader in Boy Scouts, the roles are reversed and the Boy Scouts lead the troop while parents serve in an advisory role. This was a learning opportunity for me as much as for my son. I had to become comfortable with a supporting role while he had to become comfortable with leadership roles. During my son’s Boy Scout years, I’ve dedicated time to be an Assistant Scout Master, Committee Member, and Marketing Manager. We have several families in our troop that are “all in” (every person in the family takes on a significant scouting role), and I look to these very dedicated families for inspiration.

What has been your favorite activity as a scout leader?

Last May, the troop went on a canoe trip in the Pine Barrens of NJ, traveling 9.1 miles down the Wading River. As I paddled downstream with Ahmed, another adult leader, we shared stories about growing up, our families, and our hobbies. At night, we had a great bonfire with lots of stories from the Scouts’ adventures during the day. At the conclusion of the outing, we circle up and share our “rose, thorn, and bud” from the trip. This always impresses me as the Scouts are very thoughtful in what they enjoyed about the trip, what they didn’t enjoy, and what they are looking forward to. It gives me something to think about on the drive home.

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