In my first two articles on the Boy Scouts and its 100-year anniversary, I discussed its history and the difference this well-known boy’s organization has made in millions of young boys lives. The positive influence this organization has had on America’s youth has not only developed leadership in all forms of national business and life but also given our nation stability to help it through some tough and trying times.
Since the establishment of the Boy Scout Organization, our nation and world has been plagued with a “Great Depression,” two major world wars, and others to follow such as the Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and now the war in Iraq. Concerning wars, a study conducted years ago revealed the reason the U.S. was victorious over the Germans in World War II was that the Boy Scouts had produced better leaders and soldiers than the Nazi Youth Corps.
The stories are endless concerning the successes of former Boy Scouts in every phase of life from business, to sports, to politics, to space travel, and successful military campaigns.
Other stories abound about how American youth who were in scouts have been given top positions in the business world, or were accepted to major colleges because they were scouts and had gone to the top of this boys organization by becoming Eagle Scouts.
So today, 100 years after its establishment, how important is the scouting program to our national and world society? When one looks at the social issues in our society today and our continued world events, the scouting program seems to continue to deserve a “thumbs up.” The social issues alone, such as alcohol abuse, drugs, crime, and the fact that 1 million young boys and girls of America are victims of broken, are reason alone.
Unfortunately, history also repeats itself with continued wars and military conflicts. Now we in America have terrorism to deal with at home and abroad. We should also factor in the fact that Americans are four generations from the farm, and national and world hunger may be more of an issue than ever.
Scouting, along with establishing leadership skills, has always taught survival skills. The original scouting program, which spawned the Girl Scout Organization as well, has made our nation strong and stable through its diversified training of our American youth. The scouting program is an organization that has proven its worth to American Society through its 100-year history.
In my opinion, and according to former President Gerald Ford, who made a public statement on television a few years back, we need scouting more than ever.
As a final note, it has been an honor for me to take a part in recognizing the Boy Scouts of America and its 100-year anniversary. One of the laws in scouting is for a scout to be helpful. I have to give thanks to two fellow Eagle Scouts, Norman Alter of Douglas County and Randy Coggins of Carroll County for their help and support in these last three articles on scouting.
(Taylor is a Carroll County resident and local forester.)
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