Modern Vespa

My recent interaction with another member got me thinking. How many here have or had an involvement in Scouting?
I 'grew up' through Scouting in the 1960s and 70s, as my father was a very active even before my older brother and I were old enough and my oldest son was in the local troop for a time.

Springbok scout. Started Cub Scouts in the late 80's, was active till 2000.

My son's a cub scout. We just switched from a do nothing troop to a very active troop so he'll actually see what scouts do. We go camping in 2 weeks and I may be more excited than he is.

As we used to say in my council as a youngster, which traces it's founding to President Teddy Rosevelt, as we were from Long Island. Bully....

Cub Scout, Boy Scout. We had a a very active troop that met once a week went camping once a month so I developed a very strong love of nature and picked up some bad habits like fishing. Fond memories of Scouting.

Brownie through Senior Girl Scout.
serious cookie seller.
pilgrimage to Savannah.
camp counselor in my forties.
Scouting made me the woman I am today.
"Leave it cleaner than you found it!"

Troop 212, here!

Scouts from 1967 to 1972. Sometimes serve on the Eagle Review Board nowadays.

I've found that a very common sentiment, thank you.
Is true with me and many I've met over the years. I have friends that the last 40 years have taken us on many divergent paths yet we've come back to each other due to that thought.
My older son, wise before his years, made a similar comment to me 14 years ago when only 11 years old, "Dad, you are who you are because of Scouting" when his mother and I split up and we were having difficulties keeping him active in the troop because she didn't want him to pursue something that was important to me....

I belonged to the laziest scout troop ever. Last in everything at the jamboree. We did have cool red berets though.

3rd spen valley west yorkshire .... from the age of 8 to 17 ... beer made me stop .... we where known as the badgers cos our neckers where black n white .... the hall we met in was originally opened by sir baden 'touchy' powell
best years of me life ...
first time i got drunk was camping n the yearly jamboree with cubs scouts ventures brownies n guides was when i lost me v to a guide in the woods by the light of the camp fire

tried to get me son to join but after forking out on a uniform he lasted 5weeks

Cub Scout to Boy Scouts. Made Eagle in 1979
My son joined, I became a den leader, pack commity member, Cubmaster.
My son then went on to Boy Scouts, I became a leader for 3 years in his high adventure troop.

Now I just conduct interviews and observe skills for merit badges.

How does all my years as a scout relate now?
I am still - Aways prepared.

Cubs, Boy Scouts, adult leader. Eagle Scout in 1982. Worked at a couple of summer camps in the Kansas City area for a total of 4 years.......

It was a pretty big part of my life.....and allowed me to spend summers away from how, which was good for both me and my parents.

Dad was a scoutmaster and executive member of a council in Iowa, Mom was a den mother, Both brothers were Eagle Scouts

I did the whole thing... Cub, Webelo, Boy Scout, Explorer

Member of the Order of the Arrow, Worked a couple of summers at Philmont, was an Eagle Scout. (1985-ish), etc


Resigned my membership in scouting and returned my Eagle badge when BSA became more openly discriminatory about its membership regarding religious affiliation and sexual orientation. It was a sad day for me as that really overshadowed all of the good that scouting can do for kids.

Am still a member of the group 'Scouting for All' ([url]www.scoutingforall.org[/url]) Great bunch of folk involved with that organization.

The last Explorer post I belonged to never did anything except play the computer game 'M.U.L.E.' - I don't think some of the members had seen sunlight in years...!

(Edited for spelling error)

I was a "Cub Scout".

True story- a well known and well respected medical practitioner in town also testifies in my cases occasionally. This guy has a resume of accomplishments that can't fit on less than four pages. What is he most proud of? His board certification? His 7 time selection by his peers as a "Best Doc"? No. . he is an Eagle Scout.

And jurors? Well other accomplishments aside, they are extremely impressed by this man's dedication to scouting.

Most non scouts that know me, figure it out by my actions that I was a scout.
(And the 20 years I served in the Navy) might reinforce some of my "quirks"

I made it as far as Cub scouts, and the only memory I have is weaving place mats out of blue and gold construction paper and some other forgotten craft.

Funny, I should have been in the "Pioneers," a church-based alternative because (ironically, Primordialdancer,) the Scouts were too tolerant for my denomination. My mother, being forever the rebel in these matters, put me in the Scouts.

I did, however, buy a Boy Scouts manual, and read it cover-to-cover at least a dozen times, made fires, knots and the like. I have to say, growing up as a farm kid gave me a lot of the experience and adventure, though less of the socialization.

Brownie and Girl Scout here. And it still shows.

I did the Cub Scout thing, my Dad was a leader in the scouts too. I stunk at the pinewood derby. We got lost on a night "scare" hike at a jamboree, wandered in the woods for what seemed like hours.

I dropped out at Boy Scouts, the troop wasn't doing anything fun. My daughter was a Brownie, but dropped out around the time they transitioned to Girl Scouts.

And I was a cookie Dad for a number of years. And I will ALWAYS buy at least one box of cookies from any scout who comes to my door.

Yep, did the scout thing in the early 50's from Bobcat through Boy Scouts. Quit and joined a Sea Scouts troop.

I will go out on a limb here and admit that I was also a Y Indian Guide. Very politically incorrect now. Some even called it a racist organization. Huh? LOL

Anyone else want to come clean?

As a member of the 'Order of the Arrow', I frequently had to dress up as an 'Indian Brave' - loin cloth, tomahawk and all... when doing initiation ceremonies with new Scouts. In retrospect, that was pretty horrid (given my racial background of being about as anglo as one can be.)

It's all good now though, as a society we are becoming much more culturally aware of such faux pa's. I still wouldn't trade my time growing up in the scouts for anything.

Desi B.

Cub and Life Scout, couldn't make Eagle once I got my driver's license. Went to Philmont in 1970, best trip ever!

I enjoyed scouting as a youth and have been privileged to raise two sons in scouting and serve 21 years as a Scoutmaster. It's been awesome!
Does it sound like I drank the kool-aid?

We started a Pack at school that my son attended and it was also the Charter Organization. Once we got things running well I moved from Committee Member to Webelos Den Leader when son became a Webelo Scout. Went thru the Adult Leader Training progarm and became part of the District Leadership Training Team.

After son Crossed Over to Troop. I was asked to resurrect a Troop that sadly ended a 25+ year legacy. Son and another Scout were the foundation on which we built an active Troop of 35+ Scouts in a couple of years. We had a great Team of Adult Leaders and I served as Scoutmaster for 10+ years. Son got his Eagle in 2005 and I continued serving as SM for couple years and then retired.

We came to the conclusion that our son's Boy Scouting experience was actually more significant than his HS diploma...in fact his Eagle Court of Honor was celebrated with two other Eagles and was a more celebratory event than their HS graduation party!

Our son does not how much of his life skills has been ingrained in him from his 8 years in Scouting...we see it at times as "flashes of brilliance" sadly he has no clue! One day he might...

Interestingly there have been many occasions that being an Eagle had opened doors of opportunities. At a job interview, HR interviewer spent almost the entire time talking to him about his Eagle Project. (Her son is an Eagle). In reality son had the job 5 minutes into the interview...he had no clue and wondered why she talked so much about Scouting!

We cherish all these memories just as much as the Scouts we guided to the rank of Eagle.

I was a Cub Scout for a short time, but it didn't stick for me. But my son got started in a very active neighborhood troup. He made Eagle Scout. I am convinced that it has helped him in many ways.

I belonged to Troop #29 and we were scrappers.


Edit-We were lazy also.

Love scouting as a kid even though I only lasted a year. When my kids were old enough we got involved as a family.... And had a blast. Wish the leadership was a little stronger for my girls at the time they were of the age.

When the cookies go on sale I go out of my way to buy a box from every kid that approaches me.... I remember what guts it takes to step up and start a conversation. These kids need the money to fund all good stuff they do and it takes the load off the parents.

One year the wife got mad at me when I purchased about $ 150.00 worth of cookies.

I don't eat the cookies anymore so I give them away.

The other expensive scouting lesson from a parents perspective.

The night of the cake decorating contest when my son was in the cub scouts. We has about $25 in the cake it was a camping scene. Green jelly mint trees. A campfire from tootsie rolls and red string licorice surrounded by mini marshmallow as campfire stones. And a tent from fruit roll ups. You get the picture.

The problem came when they raffled off the cakes at the end of the evening.
I ended up getting fooled into running up the bidding to around $37.00 when I ended up being the high bidder by accident.... Not my plan ..... Would have liked someone else to foot part of the tab...

Scouting has been hard on me.... At least I am getting an education.....

Instead of riding this lovely day I was in Kemah serving as Paddle Craft Safety Officer while some of the older scouts in my son's troop were teaching kayaking to other troop members. My youngest is currently Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in Troop 55 in Houston one of the largest scout troops in the US with 267 scouts. This camping trip had 128 scouts about 50 of which passed through our kayak sessions today. Others were small sailboats, mostly sunfishes and a few lasers or fishing merit badge.

My oldest is an Eagle. Both have been to Philmont and Seabase.

I did Brownies and Girl Scouts up until I think sixth grade many years ago and still have fond memories of scout summer camp where I learned canoeing.

Got my 50 mile hike badge at 11 (70 miles in 5 days). My dad organized the hike because no one else would. At 43 he smoked, drank and sat in a truck at work, but he still made it. I didn't surprise me then, but when I was 43 I finally realized he must have done it with nothing but will. I was a crappy Scout otherwise though.

Where I come from, scouts (Pfadfinder) are usually sponsored by left-wing political parties.

That is one reason I have not joined scouts since leaving ZA. Both in Germany and the US there is too much baggage!

Cub, Scout, Venture Scout and Assistant Scout Leader all with the same group in Staines.
Chief Scout Award, Venture Award, Queens Scout Award holder, also Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Scout Leader with a nearby group in Ashford for 5 years, away from Scouting for 4 years when I got a job with almost constant travelling, often with little notice.
Rejoined Scout Fellowship (now Scout Active Support) in 1988, 25 years long service award and good service merit award last year. A weekend completely Scouting free is rare.
Dad was a Kings Scout, Mum was a Kings Guide.
My wife is a Queens Guide.
My son and daughter should both achieve Queens Scout Awards.
It's not all hereditary; my sister never wanted to try it.
It's fair to say Scouting is a major part of my life.
My only criticism would be that Scouting has been a bit reactive - changes only happen when they absolutely need to, to keep up with changing society.
Even this is changing; there are "visions" for 2018 and beyond.
A few statistics:
There are over 500,000 scouts in the UK.
There are 32 million scouts in 218 countries around the world.
Finally, as always, huge thanks to every adult volunteer in Scouting, from County Commissioners to occasional helpers. It wouldn't happen without you.

Had some great times in the boy scouts and then explorers. I still have friends from those groups 50 years later. We took yearly canoe trips down the Colorado river. It was great fun. What wonderful memories...

I was a Brownie and the first level of Girl Scouts. Mostly I remember making sit upons from oilcloth and woven newspapers, and Christmas trees from folded and spray painted Readers Digests. And the songs, I remember them all.

Camping in the local park was fun, but these days I prefer a hotel.

I was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout until I got into a group with a former marine as a leader. That guy was a dick. Made me never want to be involved in scouting again.

That varies considerably by the sponsoring organization which can range from the Mormon church (though they along with some of the Catholic church sponsored troops are pulling out after the decision to let gay boys be involved in scouting - neither troop we are/were involved with cared about a kid's orientation as long as they participated in the activities and weren't actively looking for a mate at scout activities. That goes for the Explorer crew that is coed as well. View of the troop and its leaders is that sex stays out of scout activities. What you do away from the troop in that area provided it isn't illegal is between individuals.

FWIW, when my youngest was moving from cubs to scouts I went on the Webelo camping trip with the troop he originally planned on joining. Had a great time but when we went for the scoutmaster conference they had a change of leadership. The new leader had a study full of biographies of generals and other military memorabilia. He proceeded to tell us that scouts was for making boys into men and learning what it meant to be a man. Women would no longer be allowed on camping trips but would be allowed to be merit badge instructors for cooking. He said this to me and another mother attending the conference. She's a triathlete who has competed successfully in several iron man competitions. His rationale was that one mom had made her son take two sleeping bags on a camping trip and the other boys made fun of him. My kids have gone on trips where I haven't a clue what they packed. Taught them the value of considering the weather before leaving.

We walked out of the meeting and I turned to Heidi and asked what troop was her son going to now? The troop they both joined has at more women in leadership than some troops have total leaders. My older son's troop had at least one homosexual boy in it and he still got his Eagle. So if you want to be involved ins scouting again look around for a troop that has an approach you agree with.

The three churches that have sponsored scouts we have been involved with are Presbyterian for my oldest Cub and Boy Scout troops sponsor) and Methodist for youngest son's Cub Scouts and Episcopal for his Boy Scout troops. In the one sponsored by the Episcopal church we have some Hindu and a couple of Moslem boys. Friends of theirs have belonged to troops sponsored by both orthodox and reform temples as well.

The last time I looked was when I was living in Abilene, TX. I am sure it merits another look now that I no longer live there.

I think I will hold off though for a few more years until my older daughter is old enough to join.

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean & Reverent

I have the worst memory ever but I can bang that 1st try after being out for more than 23 years. Best times ever.

It's amazing the difference that a new den can make. The one we started my son in was 2 blocks away from our house, apparently the oldest pack in the US...and the only pack still preforming a "gang show" in the US. That was their claim to fame and they rode it's coattails. My husband and I thought the scouts did more...the group did craft projects and practiced for the gang show but nothing fun. Their idea of "camping" was spending a few hours in the evening at our local state forest and then going home before it gets too dark. My son has ASD so it was very difficult for him to fit in with such a boring group.

My friends were in another district pack and I kept seeing all the fun things they were doing. So joined up with them. Totally different environment. Parents are friendlier, the 7 year old boys all act like 7 year old boys, and they actually earn achievements. We're already signed up for a real camping trip...the kind you actually sleep over at...and it's only our 2nd month there. There's been a huge turn around for my son too...earning a belt loop and some achievement beads has boosted his confidence a lot.