A Scout Is Reverent

“A Scout is reverent, he is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.”

Maybe there’s a reason ‘reverent’ is the final point of the Scout Law. Maybe we need the first 11 points to help us build towards it. Understanding what we believe in – our faith and our convictions – opens us up to appreciating and respecting the differences that are inherent in our communities today. The Scout Oath says, in part, “on my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God.” Doing our duty to God means that we have compassion for our ourselves and for our neighbors, that we are indeed trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and, yes, reverent.

From Capital Comments Dec. 2011 Edition

A Scout is Brave

Some people think bravery is illustrated by a heroic deed. They think it’s something to be recognized with a medal or a plaque or an award. And sometimes that’s true. But everyday bravery is just as important. Everyday bravery starts each morning when we greet the dawn with a sense of purpose and a passion for what we do, be it student or teacher, parent or child, white collar, blue collar, green collar or no collar. It’s inherent in every right choice we make…even when it’s not the most popular one. It’s in every intentional action that takes us a step closer to our goals, especially when life seems to want to push and pull us in every direction but towards the trail that leads us to success.

Being brave is not a onetime act. It is a state of being. It is a mindset and a way of life. Bravery should be something expected and, yes, celebrated. Because so many people these days take the path of least resistance. What kind of example is that to offer our children? Scouting doesn’t allow for shortcuts. To hold true to our ideals, advancements must be earned only after all requirements are satisfied and achievement should offer its own reward; it’s called pride in a job well done. Activity and merit badges, patches and neckerchiefs are certainly proof of our accomplishments, but being brave means living Scouting’s ideals every day…even when the uniform isn’t on.

Written by Les Baron, NCAC Scout Executive (Capital Comments – Oct. 2011 Edition)

A Scout is Clean

In 1911, Scouting’s founder Lord Robert S.S. Baden-Powell augmented his affirmative laws with the following: “A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed. Decent Scouts look down upon silly youths who talk dirt, and they do not let themselves give way to temptation, either to talk it or to do anything dirty. A Scout is pure, and clean-minded, and manly.”

Over the years, the definition of this point of the Scout Law has been modified time and again. But I think, in today’s day and age, when every word and action has the potential to be captured and broadcasted within seconds, the original meaning is worth recalling. In fact, one could make the argument that it is the clarity of this point that supports all the others. How can a Scout be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave or reverent if he is not clean as Baden-Powell suggests?

If we do no more for our young people than to model this point of the Scout Law, we will have laid the foundation for their success as individuals and as members of our local and global societies.

Taken from Capital Comments (Nov. 2011) edition.