Finding Your Destiny – The Story of Dr. David Rainey
It’s common to hear of a person who was a Scout in their youth and spent much time before they found their way back to Scouting. This is the story of one Scouter here at NOAC 2018, who rekindled an internal flame.
Meet Dr. David Rainey. He grew up in Erie, PA, where he spent his Scouting career as a youth and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1981, he was inducted into Langundowi Lodge 46. He also had the privilege of attending that year’s national jamboree, and enjoyed his experience so much he joined the youth staff of the next jamboree in 1985. This was the end of his Scouting story – or so he thought.
Dr. Rainey attended medical school at the University of Kentucky. He married and they had three daughters. When his daughters joined the Girl Scouts, he served as the cookie chairman. His job in medicine eventually led him to Raleigh General Hospital in Beckley, WV. As the Boy Scouts of America prepared for the the 2013 National Jamboree at the Summit, they started working with the hospital.
Doctors in a staff meeting were asked if anyone would like to give up their block time to focus on any incoming injured scouts for the two weeks of the Jamboree – Dr. Rainey volunteered. When the Jamboree drew near, Dr. Rainey’s supervisor called him into his office to ask him if he would like to be the onsite doctor at the Jamboree. As a past jamboree staffer from 1985, he jumped at this opportunity, unlocking the door to a new destiny.
His passion for Scouting was renewed when he served at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. He continued this journey at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree, making significant contributions to the medical team at the Summit. He is also looking forward to the 2019 World Scout Jamboree next year, leading in the hospital liaison team, his biggest project yet.
He also served both at NOAC 2015 and this week at NOAC 2018 as a member of the national medical team. Dr. Rainey is working at the Shea clinic (on the south side of campus) this week, and he would love to talk to you about his projects. They are still looking for 2019 World Jamboree Medical staff members.
Dr. Rainey’s journey sees his story as a way to inspire other lodges and councils to capture those lost Scouters that are out there, not unique to his situation. Through the OA’s mission of cheerful service, he believes youth and adults acting as ambassadors of Scouting can find the next adult advisers or lost Scouters who do not know the way back. All you may need to do is ask.