Griffin Speaks

EVERY BOY SHOULD BE A BOY SCOUT

There are not many things more impressive than the Boy Scout program. My son, Greg Jr. just signed up for the new troop started at our church. Finally Community Congregational United Church of Christ has an active Scouting program. The Scout Master for Troop 225 is the legendary William Lee.

Saturday, Greg Jr. and his fellow boy scouts went on a six-mile hike on Oak Mountain. Greg Jr. earned the nickname “I fell down five times”. Despite a few scratches and bruises, he had a wonderful time. He wants to become an Eagle Scout.

How did Scouting start in the United States? In 1909 in London, England, a Chicago Millionaire, William D. Boyce got lost in a deep fog. He stopped under a streetlight to see what his location was. A young boy came up to him and asked if he could assist him.

Boyce agreed to accept the young boy’s assistance. He told the boy that he was looking for a particular office in the center of the city. When Boyce reached his destination, he reached into his pocket for a tip. The young boy told him that he could not accept payment for helping him find his way. Boyce was stunned and asked why?

The young boy told Boyce about himself and the Scouting program in England. After his errand Boyce had the young boy to take him to the British Scouting office. At the office Boyce met the legendary Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the famous British general who had founded Scouting in Great Britain.

William D. Boyce was so impressed with what he learned in Britain he decided to bring the scouting concept back to America. On February 8, 1910, Boyce and a few other prominent leaders founded Boy Scouts of America. Since that date, Scouts across America have celebrated February 8 as the birthday of Scouting in America.

Scouting in America was founded by one good turn to one man. It became a good turn for millions of American boys. In recognition of this the Scout slogan is: Do a good turn daily! So what impact has scouting had on American boys? The majority of boys that participate in the Scouting program will remember it as a positive experience. Boy Scouts rarely appear before a juvenile court judge. Most end up becoming active members of a church.

One in four American boys will become Scouts, but of the national leaders in business, religion and politics, three out of four were Scouts. This is one of the best character building organizations for young boys in the world.

When Greg Jr. informed me that he wanted to become an Eagle Scout I was very pleased. I sat him down and told him what I knew about Eagle Scouts.

The first Eagle Scout in America was Arthur R. Eldred from Rockville Center on New York’s Long Island. He qualified for the Eagle Scout award in May of 1912.

The Eagle Scout challenge tells us that the foremost responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. Living honorably reflects credit on his home, his church, his troop, and his community.

The Scout challenge tells us that the second obligation of an Eagle Scout is Loyalty. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school and nation. His loyalty to his troop and brother Scouts makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load.

The Scout challenge tells us that the third obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage has always been a quality by which men measure themselves and others. To a Scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger, but also the determination to stand up for right. Trusting in God.

The Scout challenge tells us that the fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be cheerful. To remind the Eagle Scout to always wear a smile. The final responsibility of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand. He stands as a protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and oppressed. He will always be prepared to put forth his best.

The Eagle Scout is expected to wear Scouting’s highest award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example.

Encourage all young boys that you know to become a Boy Scout. Three little words can make a difference in a young boy’s life: START SCOUTING NOW!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to www.greggriffin.com