Scoutmaster Podcast 302 – A Scout IS…

Hi everyone. As some you may have noticed, I’ve been in this troop for a couple of years now and tonight is my last night with you all as a scout. So for tonight I thought I’d share what I’ve learned in these past 8 years by making my own scout law. If you follow this version of the scout law, then I think you’ve gotten everything out of not only out of Boy Scouts, but out of this troop too.

1.First off, a scout is INDEPENDENT. A scout doesn’t need Mom and Dad to help him every step of the way. He can stand up on his own two feet and carry his own weight.

2.A scout is DEPENDENT. A scout can’t try and carry the whole weight of the world on his shoulders, though. He needs to be able to depend on his friends, family, and fellow scouts to help him along the way.

3.A scout is OPINIONATED. He pays attention to the world around him and adds his two cents when needed. He should ask questions about what he knows, unless he’s driving his poor SPL crazy.

4.A scout is BAE. Hopefully some of you got the reference, and if not, I’m really getting old. Either way, the lesson here is that a scout needs to make sure he’s having fun being a scout because that’s what we’re supposed to be about: learning new things and having fun doing it.

5.A scout is PROUD. He takes pride in his both his accomplishments and mistakes because…

6.A scout is IMPERFECT. He makes mistakes just like anyone else. But what separates him from others is his ability to take a lesson out of them.

7.A scout is CREATIVE. Now, this one doesn’t mean just being able paint a picture, write a poem, or play a song. A scout’s creativity comes into play when he faces a problem. He’ll need to be creative to find a solution, whether it be facing it head on or by looking at it from a different angle.

8.Lastly, a scout is UNIQUE. He leaves an impression on those he meets and makes memories with others that will last him, and them, a lifetime.

Notice I didn’t say anything about rank advancement or becoming Eagle. That was on purpose because becoming Eagle Scout shouldn’t be your primary goal as a scout. Sure, you learn a lot from going down that road, and I totally recommend it, but if you focus solely on advancing to Eagle then, I’m sorry, you’ve missed the point of being a Boy Scout. Being a Boy Scout is about the adventures you go on, the people you meet, and the lessons you learn. So don’t keep your faces glued to your books. Look around, enjoy yourself, and be happy you have this opportunity.