(9/19) Walkersville is a town steeped in history, and Ron Layman is a living testament to its enduring legacy. Born and raised in Walkersville, Ron has dedicated his life to his community and to his family, supporting many young men and women as they have made their way from childhood to adult life.
Proudly hailing from a long line of Walkersville residents, Layman’s roots extend back several generations. "I'm a town boy," he reflects. "My mother is about the third generation in this town, and my kids grew up here, so I’m carrying it on a little bit."
Both his mother’s father and his own father were involved with painting businesses in the town: Wilhite Painting and Roger Layman Painting, respectively. Although he never met his maternal grandfather, he carried on his father’s business, working under the Layman name for 40 years.
As a young boy, Layman experienced a tight-knit community where "everybody knew everybody." While he made many friends at school, including Vaughn Zimmerman of the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co., some of his most significant connections were made through Boy Scouts, an organization he remains closely associated with to this day. Layman was a member of Troop 1056, and he calls his involvement with the group "formative."
"We used to have our meetings at the first fire house in town hall," he says. "We camped at local farms on the weekends, went to different summer camps, and raised our money. We did paper drives the first Saturday of every month--people would save their newspapers, bundle them up, set them on the curb, and we’d pick them up and take them to the recycle yard. Back then it was probably five bucks at the most, but it was money we could put into buying things we needed."
Unfortunately, Layman’s time as a Boy Scout was brief, and shortly after he left, Troop 1056 dissolved. At the time, this was not uncommon, and in many cases boys had to travel to a different town in order to be part of a Boy Scouts troop.
After graduating from high school, Layman joined the Marine Corps, serving three years in active duty and three years in inactive reserves. During the Vietnam War, he spent about 13 months in the jungle as an infantryman and squad leader.
By the time his time in the military was over, the Walkersville Boy Scouts troop had reformed as Troop 1070, but Layman focused much of his energy on Troop 274 at St. John’s Regional Catholic School in Frederick where his two sons attended school and participated in the Scouts program. Layman served as Scoutmaster for the troop for an astounding 34 years, retiring only recently in 2017.
Emphasizing the positive impact of scouting on young lives, Layman stated, "Scouting teaches [the children involved] a lot of things--not just outdoors, [but also] citizenship in the community, the nation, and the world. It helps them grow, understand people better."
Layman speaks proudly of the numerous Eagle Scout projects completed by local scouts that have benefited the community, often saving municipalities substantial costs. Most recently, he has helped lead the restoration of the Manor House at Heritage Farm Park, which is already being used to host local Boy Scout meetings and events.
Prior to Eagle Scout projects, which are typically done by older members, scouts get numerous opportunities to build leadership and character through summer programs, day camps, and travel. Cub Scouts, designed as a "prerequisite" to Boy Scouts, have access to Explorer groups, which sponsor activities for younger scouts. Layman also discussed the Scouts' focus on leadership development and character-building.
In all of these endeavors, Layman cites the invaluable support of local governments like Walkersville’s, which provide key support to scouts by providing essential spaces like the watershed for troop activities. In addition, Layman notes the importance of charter organizations, which sponsor and support Boy Scout troops in their communities. Walkersville Troop 1070 is currently chartered by the Walkersville Lions Club, while other troops receive support from various American Legion Posts, Ruritan Clubs, and Rotary Clubs. "These organizations are the backbone of our scouting community, and their support helps the youth in our community thrive," said Layman.
Although he acknowledges that the program faces challenges, particularly in competing with other extracurriculars like sports, Layman remains optimistic about its future. "[These kids] may not be able to hang their merit badges on the mantle like a trophy, but those patches mean that youngster learned something," he said. "They really do get something out of it, and they’re able to give something back too."
Layman believes that this kind of civic engagement is essential for bridging generational gaps and involving more young people in the community. "We need volunteers to keep our organizations running smoothly, and [members of those organizations] are looking to help youth through their younger years by passing on valuable skills and values," said Layman. "Then hopefully down the line, those youth will become active members of those organizations and keep them going."
Ron Layman's dedication to community service and his insights into the world of scouting and community involvement serve as an inspiring example for others to follow. His commitment to the betterment of his community demonstrates the positive impact individuals can have when they engage actively in volunteer work and support local organizations. "Communities don't just happen; they are built and sustained by volunteers and organizations," Layman stated. "It's essential to give back and make our communities stronger and better."
It is rare that Layman credits himself for his community service; more often than not, he is expressing heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for fellow Scout leaders, who have invested just as much tireless effort in giving back to others. In fact, Layman himself requested that this article be concluded with a note of thanks to all those who, like him, have served their respective scouting communities with nothing but hard work, dedication, and a shared vision of duty.
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