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Feb 2010 Issue
By Nettie H. Francis
On February 8, 2010, the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100th birthday. Founded in England by Lord Robert Baden Powell, a military hero, in 1907, the Scouting movement was brought to the United States by American journalist William Boyce, who became acquainted with the organization when a young Boy Scout helped him through the thick London fog. Boyce was so impressed with the helpful boy who wouldn’t accept a tip, that he made an appointment to see Lord Baden Powell and learn more of the Scouting movement. He eventually founded the Boy Scouts of America based on the ideals and activities designed by Baden Powell.
There may not be many similarities between the lives of boys in 1910 and the lives of boys in 2010, however, the values on which the Boy Scouts of America was founded remain unchanged. Boys today are probably more familiar with computers than camping, ipods rather than ice skating, and the internet rather than insect identification; yet they still benefit from being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Despite shifting world values and tremendous moral opposition, the goals of the Boy Scouts of America are still to build character, citizenship and fitness.
In 1913, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chose to adopt Boy Scouting as the activity arm of the priesthood. In a one-of-a-kind relationship, the LDS church has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America for 97 years. While Church leaders encourage us as members to support all good organizations, only in the case of the Boy Scouts of America is the church actually “married” to a gentile association.
Youth leaders are called to be registered, trained, adult leaders in the Boy Scouts of America, and youth are registered, uniform-wearing participants in the organization. We also find references to Scouting within our very Church manuals. While some Church members may question this partnership (“Why does the Lord’s Church need to partner with an outside organization to accomplish its goals with the youth?”) it is clear that our prophets and leaders today remain firm in their commitment to the Boy Scouts of America as part of our priesthood organization.
And whether or not we are boys, or men, or are active in the Scouting organization, the Boy Scouts of America has likely touched our lives in a positive way.
I’m a daughter – and I’m grateful for Scouting. My Dad works full-time for the Boy Scouts of America, so I learned to tie my knots at a young age. I spent most summers of my life living in a cabin with my family at a Scout camp. I can pass a swim check. I can paddle a canoe and row a rowboat. I can cook eggs on top of a #10 can. I can identify constellations. I can shoot a bow and arrow, and I can recite the Scout Law. I also learned very young the importance of being “mentally awake and morally straight.” These values are important, even for a girl; and my childhood was richly filled with my Dad’s Scouting activities.
I’m a girl, and I’m grateful for Scouting. Most of the young men I dated were Scouts and went on to become Eagle Scouts. On a date, they knew how to open the door and show respect. They could carry on an intelligent conversation. They weren’t afraid to sing – a quality I appreciate. Their Scouting activities had taught them to work with their hands, follow through on an assignment, and make something of their lives. I had good dating experiences, thanks to good Boy Scouts.
I am a wife, and I’m grateful for the Boy Scouts of America. Aside from the fact that I met my husband while working at Scout camp (I was a cook and he was a shooting sports director), I’m grateful for the type of husband that he is because of his Scouting experience. Leadership responsibilities as a youth taught him to conduct a meeting, work well with people, and be polite. Because of his role as a young patrol leader, he knows how to lead and preside over our family.
Beyond his leadership skills, however, he can fix things around the house. He even mends his own clothes! His sewing skills were developed sewing on patches and beading Indian costumes – a hobby he picked up through Scouting. When we are stuck in the snow, or want to cook in a Dutch oven, he has the knowledge and experience to help us. My married life has benefited from Scouting.
I am a mother, and I’m grateful for Scouting. My oldest son went to his first, week-long Scout camp last year. He packed his own back pack. He set up his own tent. He built his own fire.
He wrote his own skit. He made his own arrow. He crafted his own cardboard boat. He rowed himself across the lake…and sank. But he grabbed his paddle and swam to safety. He cried.
He wanted to come home early. He stuck it out…and came home a different boy. Last week he conducted a court of honor, attended the baptism of a fellow Boy Scout, organized a campout, and bore his testimony in Sacrament meeting. I’m grateful for Scouting.
Despite what the world teaches, boys are different than girls. As the mother of four sons, it is obvious to me that boys are often rambunctious, noisy, and active and are generally in need of greater physical and mental direction. Thank goodness for Scouting activities which provide them with productive, moral ways to use their hands and minds.
Baden Powell said that “Scouting is a game with a purpose.” Scouting’s purposes have always supported my purposes—as a daughter, woman, wife, and mother. And so, even though I’m a girl, I am grateful for Boy Scouting. I look forward to 100 more years of this inspired program, for my benefit, my children’s benefit, and the benefit of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thank you, Baden Powell, and Happy 100th Birthday to the Boy Scouts of
America!
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