Five years ago, the Slate Canyon Youth Center in Provo needed to implement a new program to help young men with disordered backgrounds recognize and understand their personal qualities better. The school looked to Harold L. Miller Jr., or Hal, to get the job done.

The Center and the Slate Canyon 12th branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked Miller to apply the Boy Scouts of America's “Learning for Life” program for the young men and customize it to their specific needs. With his 37 years active involvement in the scouting program, Miller gladly accepted, and has since put countless hours into teaching the youth about scouting and helping them realize their potential.

“There were discernable needs going unmet,” Miller said, “Young men deserve an opportunity with volunteers to improve their life skills.”

Miller has given the boys that opportunity by working with them for at least 4 hours during the week and also going in on Sundays to teach lessons. He also goes in on holidays and even remembers them at Christmas letting them know they are important.  Additionally, as a professor of psychology at BYU, he has his students go in to help tutor at Slate Canyon every week.

“Some of the things that the youth love about him are that he treats them with respect,” said Linda Campbell, regional volunteer coordinator for the Juvenile Justice Services. “He does not judge them, he just loves them.”

These services have helped the boys gain confidence and acquire skills they would not have been able to achieve if the opportunities provided by Miller and other volunteers were not offered.

“He tries to teach them good skills and give them good advice that will help them along life's way,” Campbell continued, “He does not in any way make them feel like they are failures.”

Miller feels working with the boys has made his life all the greater.

“I get to work with young men who are likeable and teach me in return,” he said.

Miller was a nominee for the 2008 Silver Bowl awards in which recognizes many volunteers in each county of the state.
Although Miller was grateful for the recognition, he is even more grateful for the hospitality and support of the Slate Canyon staff as well as the five men who alternate going to the center with him every visit.