Boy Scouts - Guiding Youth for 94 Years
Virtually
every American is acquainted with the Boy Scouts. It is estimated that at
least 80 million boys have passed through its ranks since its inception in
1910. Between 4-5 million boys are currently enrolled in its program. It
would probably be difficult to over-estimate the positive impact that the
teachings of the Boy Scouts have had on our country.
For
most boys in scouting, "Boy Scouts" means enjoying the outdoors;
but being a "Boy Scout" is much more than this. As an
11-year-old, I memorized the Scout Oath: "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; to keep myself physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight."
These
virtues and lofty concepts of a higher standard of personal conduct were
taught to us by our scoutmaster, in combination with outdoor training.
Through this blending, boys who would otherwise be totally bored and
unreceptive to moral training ended up putting into practice these very
ideals - even if on a very limited basis. Boys will be boys. Often, these
ideals pass in one ear and out the other. But for many, at least bits and
pieces sink in and take root - often blossoming after the boy has become a
man.
For
me personally, the Boy Scout program has been an integral part of my life.
My Grandfather Oliver Hansen was a scoutmaster for many years. When I was
young he would take me with his scouts on overnight campouts and hikes. He
instilled in his scouts, and in his little grandson, a strong conservation
ethic and knowledge of the flora and fauna of Nevada.
As
a scout, I had a seemingly endless series of educational opportunities.
One week we would learn CPR from a fireman; the next week, winter survival
skills; the third week, the history behind the American flag, and how to
correctly display and fold it; and so on.
Campouts
were held to field test what we had learned. The biggest treat was our
one-week spent each summer at camp. For local scouts, the summer camp is
held at Camp Fleischmann, near Chester, California. Camp Fleischmann is in
the Lassen National Forest. A beautiful lake surrounded by the heavy
forest is the setting of this camp. I spent a total of six weeks there as
a scout, and had a great time doing all kinds of Boy Scout activities:
learning Indian lore; doing the mile swim; hiking to the top of "Mt.
Harkness"; solemn nighttime ceremonies at the "fire-bowl";
plus canoeing, fishing, lifesaving, pioneering, and a myriad of other
merit-badge related activities. All this adds up to good, wholesome, high
adventure for boys.
As
an adult, I have been a scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster, and have
spent an additional 9 weeks of my adult scouting years at Camp Fleischmann
as a leader. Four of my sons have been there, making four generations of
my family who have enjoyed the experience Camp Fleischmann offers. It’s
an opportunity no boy should pass up.
Scouting
skills come in handy. For example, a boy was hit by a car while riding his
bike in front of our house several years ago. I heard the accident and ran
out front. Immediately, the training I had received as a scout filled my
mind; I knew just what to do. While reflecting on it later, I realized
what I had done that day had been taught to me more than 15 years earlier.
I have had several experiences where the training I received as a scout
was applied years later in practical applications.
For
me, scouting is a family tradition. My grandfather, my father, two of my
uncles, three of my brothers, myself - and two of my sons are Eagle
Scouts. Scouting has played an important part in shaping who I am, and
what I can aspire to.
Because
the Boy Scouts are a bastion of traditional American - family values -
scouting has its critics. It has received tremendous pressure to change
its long-standing opposition to allowing homosexuals into adult leadership
positions and its refusal to remove the concepts of God and an
individual’s personal duty to his religion from its programs. These
principles have made it the target of so called "civil
liberties" groups, but fortunately, The Boy Scouts of America have
not given into these extremists.
Some
changes have occurred. I have compared a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook my
grandfather used in the 1930’s to the handbook issued today. There is no
comparison. The Boy Scout of yesteryear received superior training. Today,
and even when I was a scout, the trend has been to accept a watered-down
standard. High standards are still required to attain the higher ranks,
and for a boy willing to apply himself, an excellent program is still
available.
Many
things make America great. The Boy Scouts of America are one of the jewels
in her crown.