Tomahawk

I will be making my second trip up to the Tomahawk Scout Camp this afternoon, this time to pick up Ben. He’s been up there for a week now and I made a quick visit on Wednesday to see him. It’s a long way up there – about 110 miles through some hilly country. This portion of Wisconsin was one of the few places in the state that I’d never been and it was interesting to see.

Ben and his pals have had a marvelous time up there – my own scouting career ended after I earned my Cub Scout Bear badge, so he’s gone a lot further than I have with it. And he’s been doing some things this week that I haven’t ever done, like firing a shotgun. I was a city kid and my dad didn’t hunt, so many of these activities are alien to me. Ben may not ever be interested in hunting, or even target shooting, but it’s a good thing for him to understand how guns work. He’s less likely to believe nonsense as an adult if he gains an understanding of a subject as a child.

That, in a nutshell, is what Scouting is really about. While the activities are a lot of fun, the moral message of Scouting is hard to gainsay. Consider the Scout Law:

TRUSTWORTHY
A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL
A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
HELPFUL
A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND
A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL
A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY
A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

How many people do you know, people that you deal with in the course of living your life, consistently model these behaviors? Not many, I’m guessing. While there are bad Boy Scouts, I’ve not met many. Scouts understand that a functioning society needs people who are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Although based on what I saw at camp, clean may be a bit of a challenge.