Scouting organization is still a character builder
- col-dave-mast
- January 30, 2025
- 732
There are certain organizations that teach young people some important character traits, and soon the nation will celebrate one of its oldest youth organizations.
On Feb. 8 the nation will celebrate National Boy Scout Day, and it is an organization that is so meaningful because it promotes honoring young people who are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
Those are all cherished attributes that simply can’t be taught enough in today’s world.
Founded in 1910 by American W.D. Boyce, Boy Scouts of America has helped shape many of the nation’s leaders while making multitudes prepared for a quality life built around helping others.
Over the decades of covering all the incredible events and people of this area, I have been blessed to promote some wonderful accomplishments from our local Scouts.
Young people who have invested a lot of time and energy into achieving their Eagle Scout badges have created some unique and worthwhile projects.
More importantly, along the way they have learned the value of hard work, teamwork and leadership along with the lengthy aforementioned list of characteristics.
Having never been a Scout, I’ve never had the good fortune of learning from Scout leaders, but at least I did have parents who invested plenty of time hammering many of those same character traits into my psyche, traits I believe have served me well over the decades.
Today I see many of our area young people being taught those same traits through the BSA, and I can’t reiterate how important it is for our young people to not only be taught these values, but also to see them being exhibited firsthand from the troop and pack leaders who take the time out of their busy schedules to invest in the future of our young people.
I think what I like the most about BSA is it is an organization based on the idea of doing good deeds.
Whenever I hear that phrase, I am reminded of the movie “The Wizard of Oz,” when the wizard tells the Tin Man there are people that do nothing but good deeds all day. They are called … er, um, uh … good deed doers.”
That succinctly sums up the focal point of Scouting, a bunch of young people running around doing good deeds, and I can’t think of any better message to teach our young people, because as we become more selfless, there becomes far less hatred and loneliness in the world.
I feel certain the phrase “random act of kindness” was being exemplified by Scouts long before it was popular to toss that phrase around.
Sure, camping, canoeing and plenty of fun gatherings are highlights, but the lasting attributes that come with all the fun are what have stood the test of time in building great character.
While we may have seen the number of Scouts dwindle in the community in recent years, there certainly is a precedent to become one set from some pretty inspiring human beings. Among those who proudly call themselves members of the BSA are great national icons such as Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Michael Jordan, Steven Spielberg and astronaut Neil Armstrong. In fact, 180 U.S. astronauts have been involved in Scouting programs.
More importantly, there are countless people who contribute to society today in many meaningful ways who have been part of the organization, and the impact Scouting has made on them is remarkable.
According to the Boy Scouts of America, 83% of Scouts polled have stated the values they learned as Scouts made a lasting impact on their lives, and of those involved for at least five years with the Boy Scouts, 87% feel their self-confidence can be linked to Scouting. In addition, half of those surveyed said BSA helped lead them into their current career path.
Scouting has so many benefits, and each time I cover an event involving this beloved organization, I’m grateful to see the area leaders devoting themselves to impacting young lives in such a positive way.