Scouting

     I am a scouter.  I have been my whole life- well, at least since I was 7 and my mom was my den leader.  Since then, I've progressed through the ranks, been a camp councilor and an adult leader for several years.  I don't have any boys myself, but I volunteer with the scouts every Wednesday.
     Today, we took the boys fishing at a nearby pond.  There are 6 boys in our patrol and everyone of them caught at least four fish.  That's pretty good for fishing only an hour or so.  Each of the boys learned or applied the knots learned while they tied their own knots.  Each was able to correctly identify the fish they caught and remove the hook.  They demonstrated proper casting technique (we practiced the week before).   They all exercised safety. Each boy gained confidence in his abilities to fish and become self reliant.
     I bring this up to point out that the self reliant and preparedness attitude can start early.  Each boy now knows that, if needed, he can bring home a string of fish for his family.  The skills learned may not even be recognized for what they actually are at the time.  To the scouts, they were just having a good time- but they were really learning survival skills that may help them and their families in the not too distant future.
   I also bring this story up to encourage my readers to become involved in their communities.  Become friends with your neighbors; contribute to worthy causes.  Help others when you can.

I think we can all learn from the Boy Scouts- and if we are all scouters at heart, the world would be a better place- See if you don't agree with the Scout Promise, Law and of course the Motto: Be Prepared!

Boy Scout Oath or Promise

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

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Note that the Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been considered to have three promises. Those three promises are delineated by the semicolons in the Oath, which divide it into three clauses. The three promises of the Scout Oath are, therefore:

• Duty to God and country,
• Duty to other people, and
• Duty to self

DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God.
Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country's good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12 points.

• Trustworthy,
• Loyal,
• Helpful,
• Friendly,
• Courteous,
• Kind,
• Obedient,
• Cheerful,
• Thrifty,
• Brave,
• Clean,
• and Reverent.

DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you're needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world.

DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and build your strength. Staying mentally awake means learn all you can, be curious, and ask questions. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.
(taken from http://www.macscouter.com/advance/boyscout/bsoathlaw.asp)