So I grew up in the Boys Scouts. Sure I went to church, and had great parents, but a big part of my “moral” foundation seemed to be linked to the tenets of Scouting. Maybe all of the other influences: my parents, my school and church; got summed up by the clear rules of the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan and Motto.
Scouting made it simple: I was supposed to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. As a Scout, I was “prepared” and I really did try to “do a good turn daily”. I really worked at “doing my duty to God and my country”. I even tried to be “physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight,” whatever that last part meant.
All Scouts Are Green
The Scout rules I grew up with meant that race didn’t matter, nor social standing. We were all “green” (it was before the uniform went khaki). Doing my duty to my country meant accepting others freedom to have any religion or no religion at all. It meant equality of citizens, and helping those who were less fortunate. It might even mean protesting against an unjust war, but it would also have meant going to that war if required.
Looking back, I’m sure all of my adult leaders were Republicans. They were mostly business executives, men who had great experiences as Scouts themselves, and wanted to pass them on. I lived in Cincinnati, and my Scoutmasters were both Proctor and Gamble men. I didn’t know it at the time, but one, Clayton Warman, led men through the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Another, Tom Morgan, a P&G Engineer, flew Bombers for the Air Force in the 1950’s. They were solid men, good leaders, teachers and role models.
Those leaders helped me earn Eagle Scout. But it was after that, when my “advancement” in Scouts was basically over, that they let me have the experiences of leadership and teaching that lead me to my career in education. I became a teacher and a coach, but Scouting is where I had my apprenticeship that led me to the field.
Applying the Rules
I guess those men didn’t realize they were helping me become a Democrat. I know Scouting has never been considered a “liberal” organization, but it seemed like a logical outgrowth of the doctrines. Even as a Scout, I struggled with Scouting’s demand of religious faith. And later, as an adult, I applauded the acceptance of gay Scouts, and later, gay adult leaders.
And Of course I think no one should be denied medical care because they can’t afford it. As a Scout we were taught to aid someone in trouble. I didn’t think about liability, or race, age, or gender, when I raced to help a child who was traumatically injured. My training kicked in. I was prepared.
Of course we should take care of those less fortunate, helping them to improve their lives. My “Eagle Project” was repainting a group home for the mentally handicapped. It helped them, and it helped us Scouts as well.
And of course everyone is equal. When you were a Scout, you were measured by your effort and your willingness to carry your share of the load, sometimes literally when we were backpacking. Your race, creed, religion made no difference.
And that’s why I get confused today, when we don’t recognize that every citizen should have an equal say in our government. We cling to bias and unfair political traditions, from the Electoral College, to Gerrymander districts, to restrictive voting processes. All of these are designed to make some “more equal” than others, definitely not in line with the “Boy Scout way”.
Earning Your Way
Sure Boy Scouts was “capitalistic”. You earned you way up the chain of rank, from Tenderfoot to Eagle. “Time-served” didn’t get you much in the way of advancement, you had to “show what you know” each step of the way. But our troop practiced democracy: we elected our youth leaders from the Patrol to the Troop level. We also gave boys leadership opportunities even when they weren’t elected. Everyone at some point got the chance to lead, sometimes literally with a map and a compass. And we all followed, even if it meant that our five-mile hike was going to take ten.
I know the Scouts are in trouble. Like Little League, Church groups, and my profession, some adults used it as cover to abuse children. It’s absolutely right that our era today is looking for justice for the victims, and the organizations do bare responsibility for enabling those actions. But a lot of good came from them too. That shouldn’t be forgotten in the turmoil.
Boy Scouts has become Scouting USA. Boys and Girls are now in Troops together. Just like America, Scouting had to grow, to be more than what it was in its “heyday” in the 1960’s. And Scouting is taking responsibility for what it did “wrong” in those days as well. The National Council is seeking bankruptcy protection so it might survive the lawsuits it’s facing.
But the standards that the Scouts demand are still valid. The foundations they established are still sound, regardless of the failings of the organization. Just like the United States, they are struggling to be “more perfect” in a dynamically changing society. Let’s hope they can follow their own motto and “Be Prepared”.
