The Boy Scouts of America have had a huge impact on my life as well as the lives of countless other men in this country. Scouting teaches young boys some of the most important skills they will ever learn (and some not so important but really cool). Whether you earn your Eagle Scout or drop out before you reach Tenderfoot, every scout gains or learns something during his time in the program. Here are some of the most important things that every scout learned along the way.
1.How to Build a Fire
One of the first things that every first-year scout or Cub Scout wants to learn is how to build a fire. Boys are taught the types of firewood, how to light a fire using various means, how to keep it lit, etc. Fire building is both fun and important to know.
2. How to Roast the Perfect Marshmallow
Speaking of fires, everyone wants to roast the perfect marshmallow. Almost every scout has fond memories of being shown how to roast to a perfect golden brown color, before immediately becoming impatient and lighting the marshmallow on fire.
3. How to Whittle With Minimal Injuries
It takes a long time, but eventually all scouts can get through an entire wood-carving project with only a few accidents.
4. How to Shower Only One Time in an Entire Week
Yes, almost every young scout does this.That being said, don’t do this. I know you can get away with it. I know that campfire smoke masks the smell. However, I also know that is gross and a scout is clean. Please shower every day, your mother will know if you don’t. Thank you.
5. What Bug Juice is
Don’t worry, it doesn’t actually come from bugs.
6. How to Hold Your Breath While Going to the Bathroom
It doesn’t matter how well you cleaned the latrines, they still smell awful. Once a scout is no longer afraid to go in the latrine, he quickly learns to hold his breath and get out as quickly as possible.
7. What Good Food Tastes Like
The best food is made either over a fire or on a backpacking stove. Especially if you wrap everything in aluminum foil and put it in the fire pit. If a little dirt gets in, it never killed anyone. Besides, it adds a unique texture.
8. How to Fall Asleep Just About Anywhere
From army cots to air mattresses, the ground to benches, picnic tables to concrete, scouts can sleep almost anywhere.
9. Meals are Great for Songs
Everyone’s favorite time of the meal is the song, even if they don’t want to admit it.
10. How to Teach and Lead
Most scouts and former scouts I know are natural leaders. Scouting prepares you to lead in many different situations. This leadership can even include teaching. This has even inspired many scouts, myself included, to become teachers.
11. What Real Friendship is
Scouting friends are friends for life. You are never on your scouting journey alone, and you hang on to the people who traveled the trail with you for the rest of your life.
12. How to be a Better Man
Scouting, at its core, is preparing young boys to be great men. From the skills and leadership to the friendships and memories, everything we do and learn in scouting can be used to make us better human beings. I personally believe that everyone who has put on the uniform or raised the scout sign, even just once, carries the spirit of scouting in his heart for his entire life. Whether a boy is a scout for one day or 50 years, he will have learned something from his time in scouting.
