December 29, 2009 2:47 PM
Boy Scouts of America: building character one boy at a time
In honor of the upcoming Boy Scouts of American Centennial, a MommyLife rerun circa 2007:
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
We have our own Tenderfoot scout here. He has some of his own issues (still being evaluated, but suspected Aspergers). It is so good for him to learn to get along in a group, to realize that he is expected to pitch in, and to learn skills and knowledge along the way. It's too bad that scouts aren't "cool" in many places. DS had a choice of 3 active Troops in our town, so at least there is some awareness of scouts and the fun things they do. But, as a parent, I cannot say enough about the values and character traits reinforced through Boy Scouts. These are messages that are few too rare in our culture.
Posted by: Elizabeth M | December 29, 2009 5:20 PM
