April 23, 2007 6:32 AM
Boy Scouts of America
Another rerun I promised:
A few months ago we had Boy Scouts at our church. Jonny fell in love with the uniform and decided he wanted to join. Now he goes to meetings every Monday with the troop and he's made some new friends (I am so grateful that we live in a time and place where most people are kind and accepting of those with Down syndrome).
In reading up on Boy Scouts, Tripp regretted that we had never gotten our other boys interested in the Scouts. One of the things about your kids getting older is facing the fact that there was more you could have done, but I take some comfort in knowing that I can share that honestly and perhaps encourage others to avoid mistakes I've made and to seize opportunities I didn't.
Here is some of the information Tripp found:
SCOUTING'S BOTTOM LINE
What happens to a Scout? For every 100 boys who join Scouting, records indicate that:
- RARELY will on be brought before the juvenile court system
- 2 will become Eagle Scouts
- 17 will become future Scout volunteers
- 12 will have their first contact with a church
- 1 will enter the clergy
- 5 will earn their church award
- 18 will develop a hobby that will last through their adult life
- 8 will enter a vocation that was learned through the merit badge system
- 1 will use his Scouting skills to his own life
- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save the life of another person
Scouting's alumni record is equally impressive. A recent nation-wide survey of high schools revealed the following information:
- 85% of student council presidents were Scouts
- 89% of senior class presidents were Scouts
- 80% of junior class presidents were Scouts
- 75% of school publication editors were Scouts
- 71% of football captains were Scouts
Scouts also account for:
- 64% of Air Force Academy graduates
- 68% of West Point graduates
- 70% of Annapolis graduates
- 72% of Rhodes Scholars
- 85% of F.B.I. agents
- 26 of the first 29 astronautsThat's very impressive. Enough so that some parents might put their kids in Scouts simply for the achievement benefits. But those achivements are a reflection of character and integrity which naturally comes from the training boys get in the Boy Scouts.
Looking at this list, I am grateful for the contribution they have made to the nation. And close to home, I am grateful they are willing to learn more about people like Jonny.
Jonny's year in the Scouts has been wonderful!! The guys have accepted him and brought out the best in him even as he has brought out the best in them. A true win/win situation.
Comments
I just wanted to add that Boy Scouts has a program for high schoolers that is for boys and girls, and is a career exploration type group. It used to be called Explorer scouts, not sure what it's called now!
I was a member for 4 years - and got training as a first responder (like a junior paramedic), worked on an ambulance and in an emergency room, and taught CPR - which, while I never became a doctor, has helped me tremendously as a mom!
Posted by: Milehimama | April 23, 2007 8:56 AM
Hello,
I admit to sneaking around your blog so many times, and not finding anything worthy to write about! (I am a fan).
Today you wrote about a subject that is very dear to me, and i'd like to share my thoughts with you.
As a former Girl Guide, and Cub Scout Leader, I can only encourage you in your decision. You know what they say: Once a Scout, always a Scout!
I have been a Guide/Scout for almost 20 years. I come from a bitterly split, one parent family and Scouting has been a lifesaver to me. Together with Christ and the church, it's been my friend, my refuge, my guide in living with compassion and understanding, appreciating and caring for nature, trusting in God, loving my country and bringing peace and goodwill around me.
Scouting is non-judgemental in its approach to people. I have been trained in sign language as a Girl Guide in order to work with the deaf, a humbling and formidable experience for someone in their teens.
I am impressed by the statistics that you mention, and I intend to link to you from my blog page. In times fallen and troubled like these, the values that Scouting supports are necessary to youth, to all of us.
Wishing you and your son the very best.
Posted by: Irene | April 23, 2007 7:09 PM
Nice to see these stats. It has been awhile since I have seen them. Do you know when these stats were released> It would be nice to know how current they are.
Steve B
Scoutmaster, Troop 68
http://melrosetroop68.org/blog.html
Posted by: Steven Borgerding | May 1, 2007 7:23 PM
