Posted on 11/28/2010 2:13:18 PM PST by NYer
"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the scout law, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
These are the words of the Boy Scout oath. Recited at scout meetings across the nation, every week for the past 100 years, this is an important moment when boys aged 10 to 13 raise their right hands and promise to serve both God and country. I was a scout myself and believe that the Boy Scouts is the only place where young men can practice becoming adults.
The Boy Scouts of America teach independence, self-reliance, and teamwork -- all while having fun. If a young man chooses to do so, he can rise up through the ranks, along the way learning principles that he can apply throughout his life. He may not be good enough to play in a sport (beyond sitting on the bench), but as a scout he is part of a team, and he contributes to everyone's success.
The first time I brushed my teeth without being told to do so by my mother was at scout camp. I was eleven years old. The senior patrol leader was Richie Crocco, a big 16-year-old guy who shaved. Everyone knew you didn't mess with Richie. He woke the whole troop up at 6:30 a.m. to march us down to the latrine so we could wash up, brush our teeth, and comb our hair in time to return for morning flag raising 15 minutes later. Everybody went to latrine, no questions asked. When I saw Richie drag a kid out of his bunk and leave him in the middle of the campsite, I felt the fear of God.
God bless Richie Crocco. After six days, I had learned the routine, and when I returned home from camp, my mother was amazed at my new habits. She never had to tell me again to brush my teeth.
There aren't many places where good character is ingrained in a young man. In addition to the scout oath, which we said at every meeting, we also recited the scout law: "A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."
Once during a motivational talk to a crowd of about 250, I was asked, "What do you look for in a salesman?" Without realizing it, I started to say, "I look for a person who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful . . ." Some wise guy in the front row cracked, "What are you looking for? A Boy Scout?" I looked at him squarely and replied, "Why would you settle for anyone else to represent your company?"
We should all aspire to keep the promises made in the scout oath. Having salespeople who exemplify these qualities would bring any business owner peace of mind because those in sales are the face of the company. They are out in the field day after day representing the organization.
Another great thing happens in Boy Scouts. Before a youth advances in rank -- completing the qualifications to move up from Tenderfoot to Second Class, then First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle -- he has to sit down with the head of the troop committee and the scout master or assistant scout master and have what used to be called a Board of Review. (Today it's known as a Personal Growth and Development Conference, but I prefer "Board of Review" because it sounds less intimidating.) The benefit of this evaluation is that the boy is asked, "Since the last time you advanced, how have you lived up to the scout oath and all the principles in the scout law?" He actually has to reflect upon the promises he has made week after week as a scout and then evaluate whether he has lived up to those promises.
The demand of such self-examination at so young an age is rare in this culture. Nowadays, no one is told he has failed; no one is asked to look in the mirror and find himself wanting. Success in the Boy Scouts means that, at every step along the way to the rank of Eagle Scout, a young man has to answer the question, "Am I doing the job?"
Three cheers and congratulations to the Boy Scouts of America on 100 years of helping to raise our young men into adulthood. And thanks, too, to the countless good men who dedicate their time and resources to help train the future fathers and leaders of America.
Good post!
Sir Yes ,the best thing that happened to me,My Dad was a scout also when he was a kid.
THe job of a Scoutmaster is to do as little as possible—Baden Powell.
But, with a brand new troop of new kids, most with little or no scouting experience, I presume that it will take a little while to get to that point
Here’s to 1000 more if they continue to adhere to their principles
I am Asst Scoutmaster but I had to “lead” tonight because the Scoutmaster was out of town. “Lead” meant that I made the SPL do everything. All I had to do was congratulate him on a good meeting. We even had a fight break out and I made him lecture the combatants.
I had some good times when I was in the Scouts...and learned plenty, too.
I never was a Scout, but all 4 of my sons are Eagles.
My father made Eagle in 1944 at the age of 16. A year later he was on a baby aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Sobering thought as I watch my own son grow up so quickly.
Assistant Scout Master, Troop 55, Flint River Council. Well met, Sir.
I had a similar experience.
One father was a Bataan Death March survivor. Another was an Underwater Demo scuba diver (the precursor to the SEALs I believe.) My Dad was an Intelligence Officer, and another dad was a flier in Europe.
If, and it was rare, you could get them to start telling stories it was amazing. You did not want to hit the rack. Not always because it was so exciting. But sometimes because it was so horrible.
Campfires do something to men. They see ghosts in them.
The Boy Scouts are a big part of what made me who I am today. Not only me, but many friends I knew and still know from the great days I enjoyed as a Boy Scout.
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