September 1, 2010 by masonictraveler
Filed under Masonic Traveler
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[...] Boy Scouts of America in three parts: Part I – Being a Boy Scout | Part II – Origins | Part III – [...]
[...] Boy Scouts of America in three parts:Part I – Being a Boy Scout | Part II – Origins | Part III – [...]
[...] Boy Scouts of America in three parts: Part I – Being a Boy Scout | Part II – Masonic Origins? | Part III – [...]
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I joined the Boy Scouts on the occasion of BSA’s 50th Anniversary. My Eagle Certificate was signed by Lyndon Johnson. General Hershey was the Head of the organization at the time; also the head of Selective Service. We wondered if there was a deliberate coincidence there.
What is means to be a Boy Scout is to move toward responsibility. This is done by personal, organizational, familial and civic advancement and learning. As a Boy Scout learns, he takes on broader and broader duties to himself, his family and his community. Always with support, but allowing him to go out on the springy branches.
When I was 15 years old, I was hired as a counselor at Camp Theodore Roosevelt, the oldest Boy Scout Camp in the world at the time, dedicated to and by Bro. Roosevelt. I was put in charge of the outdoor sports program for 250 campers, including rifle, shotgun and archery. I had two men to supervise (nominally) who were Marine rifle instructors. It is rare for a 15 year old to be trusted with this sort of responsibility, but not in the Boy Scouts. Additionally, I was responsible for my own health, cleanliness and finances.
These were the days when there were slot machines in Maryland, and we had the opportunity, not sanctioned by the BSA, to lose every cent we made on the one armed bandits. A quick way to learn how to hold onto money. Also how to lose it fast. From sundown ’til dawn we were pretty much on our own.
Being a Boy Scout isn’t about rubbing two sticks together, or about being a patriot, or a religious person. It’s about learning and growing into a well rounded, liberal person.