Citizenship & Patriotism on ScoutmasterCG Archive

Scouts and Politics

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

The following statement comes from a Council website. It seemed a timely thing to pass along.

I found the picture above on the web. The name on the sign isn’t important, we all need to read, understand and practice this policy: Boy Scouts of America policy prohibits Scouts from participating in political activities.

Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. In addition, photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.

Scouts , Citizenship and Politics

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Scouts are expected to engage actively in all aspects of good citizenship.

Citizenship and politics are inextricably linked together. What, then can Scouter’s do to minimize the divisiveness of politics while still modeling citizenship for their Scouts?

Scoutmasters should guard against expressing their own partisan views while encouraging active, informed citizenship. For those of us who are politically active this can be an especially fine line. In the coming year we have the opportunity to quell some of the inevitable divisiveness that accompanies a hotly contested presidential election. When Scouts ask “who are you voting for?” or question your opinion on some political controversy I answer that my personal opinion is simply not relevant in my role as a Scoutmaster. It is my job to get them to examine all sides of an issue and to think for themselves. Our political process is inherently confrontational because individual freedom allows for a wide spectrum of opinion. It is likely that the members of a Scout troop will have differences of opinion that reflect the wider society. But the strongest citizenship lesson in Scouting is that people of differing political opinions can share common ethics.

A ShelterBox Story

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

EDITOR”S NOTE: Doug Metz is a reader/listener who’s story about ShelterBox is a great example of Scouters serving the wider community – he’ll be featured on Podcast 87 along with Mark Dyer Shelterbox Scout’s program director. Last summer my son and I visited Fort AP Hill for the 2010 National Jamboree. One of the exhibits at the Jamboree featured a large white dome tent that looked like a prototype for future habitats on the moon.

... A million different centers of energy and daring ...

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Independence Day celebrates our collective and individual patriotism, freedom and potential.

Robert F. Kennedy spoke of this potential in Capetown Africa in 1966:

[M]any of the world’s great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single man. A young monk began the Protestant reformation, a young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth, and a young woman reclaimed the territory of France. It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and 32-year-old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal. “Give me a place to stand,” said Archimedes, “and I will move the world.”

The Best Kind of Citizen

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

“The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing his obligation to God.” A visit to Arlington National Cemetery just outside of Washington D.C. reminds us that our freedom comes at a cost. Here the ‘best kind of citizen’ lays beneath a spare white headstone marked with a symbol signifying their religious affiliation. The symbol pictured here signifies that the person beneath it was an atheist. That they have been laid to rest in Arlington signifies that they are undoubtedly ‘the best kind of citizen’; ones that dedicated their service to our country; many having given their lives in the bargain.

Thinking Patriotism

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

I live in a small town that is fortunate to have a lively schedule of civic events. Of all these I most enjoy the several parades we have each year; their homey scale are a perfect fit for our little town.

Every parade has it’s usual compliment of fire trucks, scouts, antique cars and civic groups but all follow a color guard of some description at the head of the parade. Most of the time I am alone when I remove my hat and place it over my heart as the flag passes. Most people don’t even stand up. At this point I could launch into a tirade over what a sorry state of affairs it is when I am alone in saluting the flag and rail against something, but I am not enraged or disappointed in my fellow citizens. My lonely demonstration of patriotism is not so much a public as a private expression. In saluting the flag I am thinking of my father Charlie and his brothers Malcolm and Clark, all who served in the military during World War II, my grandfather Herbert Ford who served in World War I, Matt Emerson, one of my Eagle Scouts, currently serving in Iraq; and by extension all who gave of themselves to defend or build our nation. Most importantly I am expressing my dedication to the ideals and propositions that we share as a nation: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Self Evident Truth

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 00:00:00 +0000

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” A bold statement, one we continue to struggle to attain. The widest association we share is that of citizenship. The sub groups we form may be as exclusive or inclusive as the membership of the group chooses. Law and precedent has settled the question that Americans may form exclusive associations and societies that promote a particular way of thinking.