BY ROBIN L. QUILLON
This year we are celebrating 100 years of Scouting in America.
What a marvelous milestone.
As a parent of an Eagle Scout, I can assure other parents contemplating enrolling their young man in Scouting that it is well worth your time and energy.
The knowledge and experience he will gain will serve him for the rest of his life.
So what are some of the things Scouting teaches our young men?
My son Ty learned the Scout oath or promise:
“On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”
He learned the Scout motto of “Be Prepared.” A Scout is never caught off guard!
He was encouraged to practice the Scout slogan of “Do a Good Turn Daily.”
He was taught the outdoor code.
“As an American, I will do my best to:
* Be clean in my outdoor manners.
* Be careful with fire.
* Be considerate in the outdoors.
* Be conservation minded.”
What parent would not want his or her son – and girls are welcome in Boy Scouting, too – to be taught these principles?
Scouts learn by doing. They are taught to teach themselves and to learn from doing.
To celebrate its 100th year, the Penn’s Woods Council has organized several celebrations throughout the area.
Monday is Anniversary Day. The council’s Centennial Celebration Committee, led by Dr. W. Robert Bastian, has organized seven public rededication to the Scout oath and Scout law ceremonies throughout the five county-plus region of the Penn’s Woods Council.
The ceremonies will last about 40 minutes. They will begin at noon at the following locations: Bedford County Courthouse, Bedford; Blair County Courthouse, Hollidaysburg; Altoona City Hall; Cambria County Courthouse, Ebensburg; Johnstown City Hall; Indiana County Courthouse, Indiana; and Somerset County Courthouse, Somerset.
Please plan to attend and show your support.
Local elected officials and distinguished Scouting leaders will be on hand to lead each program.
Each event will include an opening ceremony, brief keynote remarks and the rededication to the principles of the Scout oath and Scout law ceremony.
I believe the values stated in the Scout oath and Scout law have helped positively influence not only the life of my son, but the lives of millions of other young people.
Please come out and join in these events and, by all means, please consider enrolling your young man or woman in this fine organization.
Do it today!
It will be one of the best decisions and investments you will ever make for your loved one.
Robin L. Quillon is the publisher of The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at rquillon@tribdem.com.
