Last week, my Anchor group (aged 5–7) welcomed a new boy. His older brother happily headed into Juniors (aged 8–11), but our newest little guy was overwhelmed. He clung to his dad like a koala to its mum, surrounded by a crowd of happy, rowdy boys chaotically running around before we started. For a five‑year‑old, it must have felt enormous.
When we moved into our room, Mum and Dad came along too, with their son still hiding his face in his dad’s shoulder. I gently spoke to him, learned his name, and invited him to watch our devotional video. Slowly, his head peeked out. He watched. He listened.
After the video and our review, we made fairy bread and had juice as our activity to remember The Last Supper. Before long, our new friend was sitting at the table, spreading butter and carefully sprinkling hundreds and thousands. His shoulders relaxed. He started talking. He began to smile.
Then we went outside to play a game — and Mum and Dad were forgotten. He ran. He laughed. He wanted a turn. By the end of the night, he was lining up in parade alongside the other boys. He even asked if he could come back the next night (we’ll make it next week!).
Watching Boys Grow Brave
It’s been fascinating this year watching our new five‑year‑olds settle in. Boys who don’t say a word begin answering questions about our devotions. They tell stories about their week. They share terrible jokes. They stand their ground, push a little, argue a little, talk louder. They find the boundary and give it a poke to see if it moves.
Being brave brings confidence. Often, the boundary they poke is one of their own making — they haven’t yet reached mine. Each tiny act of bravery builds their confidence to participate and speak up for themselves.
Being brave brings growth. When a boy finally reaches my boundary, he learns how far he can take something. There is a limit. There is a warning. There is a consequence. There is a moment to stop, listen, and learn.
Being brave sees results. A boy who is too afraid to poke the boundary — who just wants to sit and cling to his dad — won’t see the same growth. We respect the challenge and encourage tiny steps. The brave boy who takes one tiny step will take another, and another. Perhaps his whole life will be made of tiny steps, but each one will move him further from where he began.
Bravery Across the Brigade
Being brave is challenging — and it doesn’t stop at Anchors. Throughout their BB journey, boys are stretched in new ways:
- learning drill or figure marching and being the one to call or lead it
- going on their first camp without a parent
- paddling solo in the Great Canoe Race
- climbing Mt Barney and facing the unknown
Our leaders challenge every boy, but never without support. They encourage, guide, and lend a hand. And when the boy comes out the other side — having called the drill, completed the camp, raced the canoe, or climbed the mountain — we celebrate him for his achievement of being brave.
Because bravery isn’t just a moment. It’s a muscle. And at BB, we help boys grow it.
A Biblical Reminder
And as we watch boys take those tiny steps — from peeking out of a parent’s shoulder to running freely with their friends — we’re reminded of God’s encouragement to every one of us:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
by Cathy Ballantine
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