Boy Scouts Turn 100

Monday, February 8, 2010

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. Happy Birthday, Scouts!

The Scouts have long been at the forefront of educating boys to become men. It's more than just camping and outdoor activities -- boys are taught character, leadership and service, all while learning that success must be earned. Remember the concept of merit? The Scouts sure do.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a British war hero, founded the Scouts in Great Britain in 1907. He explained, "Be Prepared ... the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise."

As the story goes, an American newspaper man traveling in London was so impressed with a young scout he met that he brought the idea back "across the pond." In 1910, William D. Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America.

Boys learn invaluable traits such as these:

The Scout Oath:
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.

The Scout Law: A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

The Scout Motto: Be Prepared.

The Scout Slogan: Do a Good Turn daily.

For more information on celebrations and events, visit the Boy Scouts Web site.

See the Patriot Shop for great gifts for Scouts.