Help Other People At All Times

(Have two plates, an apple on one; a few apple seeds on the other.)

If I gave you a choice, which of these plates would you rather have? Well, I guess most of us would choose the one with the apple, wouldn't we? 

About a hundred and fifty years ago, there was as a fellow, though, who would have taken the seeds. He was a nut on apple seeds, so much so that people called him Johnny Appleseed. He walked across hundreds of miles of our frontier lands year after year, until he died, and everywhere he went he planted apple seeds. The trees that grew from those seeds fed thousands of people with their fruit. All because of a screwball called Johnny Appleseed!

Most of us seem to be interested only in the present. We haven't time to plant seeds. We want just the brightest fruit, and we want it right now.

But you know it would be easy for us to plant a few seeds along the way, seeds that would bring good to many people for years to come. How? Just by living our slogan, "Do a Good Turn Daily." Every time we help another person we are planting a little seed of good feeling. Just one such seed can start the growth of a tree of good deeds in each person you help. You can see how important your Good Turn is. It can lead to thousands of good deeds throughout many years of the future, affecting the lives of thousands of people.

Remember your Good Turn every day!

Found in the 1958 printing of ideas and stories for the Scoutmaster's Minutes

A Boy and His Mother

As a trim British frigate anchored in a Virginia harbor on bright spring morning back in 1746, its officers and crew hurried ashore on a variety of missions. One young lieutenant, heading for his home near Fredericksburg, was full of good news for his half brother, George. For, as an oft-repeated tradition relates, he had in his pocket papers appointing George as a midshipman on the frigate.

The boy's elation and excitement over such a dream come true was dampened only by his mother's deep-seated reluctance to permit her fourteen-year-old son to go to sea. Some strange foreboding filled her heart. She would not forbid him to go, but her tears conquered him. Out of deference to her wishes, he refused the coveted appointment and sadly watched the frigate sail without him. Slowly it dropped out of sight, never to be heard of again.

The boy's devotion to his mother saved his life.  His name was George Washington.

1958, Ideas and Stories for The Scoutmaster's Minute, pg 2

Taking The First Step

This Scoutmaster's minute involves using 4 other Scouts (if your troop is large enough, use 4 patrol leaders).

(Patrol leaders stand in a diagonal line at one side facing the troop- Scoutmaster on the other side - half facing troop and patrol leaders.)

Scoutmaster: Pete, how would you start on a hike? (Pete takes one step forward.)

Scoutmaster: Bill, how would you set out to do a Good Turn? (Bill takes one step forward.)

Scoutmaster: Jim, how would you get started on a camping trip? (Jim takes one step forward.)

Scoutmaster: Joe, how would you start out to achieve First Class? (Joe takes one step forward.)

Scoutmaster: Yes, it's as simple as that - to make a thousand mile journey, to run  a race, to learn a trade, to meet new people, to climb a mountain, to create a masterpiece, to build a skyscraper, to design a jet engine, to do anything worth while there is always a first step, and it is the most difficult one to take.

If you are to progress in Scouting or in life, you must first face your goal and then get started with that all-important first step.

Found in the 1958 pamphlet, The Scoutmaster's Minute.

Respect For The Flag

Scoutmaster's Minute found in the 1958 book, "The Scoutmaster's Minute".
 

(Have one red, one white, and one blue piece of cloth, together with an American Flag.)

What is our flag? You might say it's a piece of cloth. Would that be right? Well, it's true that these pieces of cloth could make an American flag, but then we would have more than just a piece of cloth, wouldn't we? What is our flag, then? It's a symbol of our country, of the principles for which we stand. It's a guarantee of protection and security for us. And isn't it a thrill to see the flag flying at the top of a tall staff? 

The blue in our flag is a symbol of faith, the faith of our country's founders. The red in our flag denotes sacrifice, the sacrifices made to establish our nation.  The white of her stars and alternate stripes stands for purity of heart and mind.  Yes, the colors stnad for bravery, truth, and purity.

Is there anything in these pieces of cloth by themselves that demands our respect? No. They could be made into an apron just as easily as a flag. We could mop the floor with them or wipe our shoes with them. But the flag these pieces of cloth could make represents our great nation and everything America stands for.  That's why, Scouts, we give our flag the repect and loyalty that we owe the United States of America.

A Leader Leads

A general was in trouble. He was facing an enemy army that was bigger and better equipped. Moreover, he needed food, equipment, and supplies and had no money to buy them.

It was winter and the river between him and the enemy was so full of ice that everyone knew it could not be crossed. The general did not know this, so he put his men in small boats, crossed the river, and surprised the enemy - captured a thousand and put the rest to flight.

The general's name was George Washington.

Many men still wait until the ice is out of the river... or business is better... or conditions improve.

Today, as in 1776, the way to win is not to wait for the ice to go, but to cross the river and attack.

Found in the 1958 "The Scoutmaster's Minute"

The Man In The Glass

I'm not sure if this is still done at Island Park Scout Camp, but when I was a staff member for 97' - 98', each Thursday night was honor trail for the scouts.  At the end of the honor trail, the staff member assigned to that station, would pull out his Boy Scout signal mirror and recite the poem, "The Man In The Glass" as you faced the mirror towards the scouts in order for them to see their reflections. We were to have this poem memorized in the event that we were assigned to the last station that night. But, just in case, the words were printed and placed on the back of the mirror if we needed a little help. Pictured is my personal IPSC Staff signal mirror.

The Man In The Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he’s with you clear up to the end
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass. 

--- Dale Wimbrow (1934)

Pearls of Wisdom - Quotes from Baden - Powell

"We Must change boys from a 'what can I get' to a 'what can I give' attitude"

"The code of the knight is still the code of the gentleman today"

"The real way to gain happiness is to give it to others"

"In Scouting you are combating the brooding of selfishness"

"Scoutmasters deal with the individual boy rather than with the mass"

"A boy on joining wants to begin Scouting right away"

"A fisherman does not bait his hook with food he likes. He uses food the fish likes. So with boys."

"Scouting is a man's job cut don to a boy's size."

"Scouting is a game for boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man."

"Where is there a boy to whom the call of the wild and the open road does not appeal?"

"It is important to arrange games and competition so that all Scouts of the troop take part."

"We are not a club or a Sunday school class, but a school of the woods."

"Fun, fighting, and feeding! These are the three indispensable elements of the boy's world."

"Scoutmasters need to enter into boy's ambitions."

"A boy is supremely confident of his own power, and dislikes being treated as a child."

"Boys can see adventure in a dirty old duck puddle, and if the Scoutmaster is a boys' man he can see it, too."

"The spirit is there in every boy, it has to be discovered."

"Teach Scouts not how to get a living, but how to live."

"Can we not interpret our adult wisdom into the language of boyhood?"

"It is only when you know a boy's environment what you can know what influences to bring to bear."

"It's the spirit within, not the veneer without, that makes a man."

"It is risky to order a boy not to do something; it immediately opens to him the adventure of doing it."

"You can only get discipline in the mass by discipline in the individual."

"The Scoutmaster must be alert to check badge hunting as compared to badge earning."

"The Scout Oath and Law are our binding disciplinary force."

"A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room."

"A boy is not a sitting-down animal."

"Vigorous Scout games are the best form of physical education because most of them bring in moral education."

"A boy is naturally full of humor."

"An invaluable step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual."

"When a boy finds someone who takes an interest in him, he responds and follows."

"The sport of Scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it."

"Success in training the boy depends largely on the Scoutmaster's own personal example."

"Correcting bad habits cannot be done by forbidding or punishment."

"Show me a poorly uniformed troop and I'll show you a poorly uniformed leader."

"The more responsibility the Scoutmaster gives his patrol leaders, the more they will respond."

"It should be the thing never mention unfairness of judging when defeated in a contest."

"The Scoutmaster teaches boys to play the game by doing so himself."

"O God, help me to win, but in thy wisdom if thou willest me not to win, then O God, make me a good loser."

"In Scouting, a boy is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed."

"There is no teaching to compare with example."

"We do not want to make Scout training too soft."

"The Good Turn will educate the boy out of the groove of selfishness."

"When you want a thing done, "Don't do it yourself is a good motto for Scoutmasters."

"Loyalty is a feature in a boy's character that inspires boundless hope."

"See things from the boy's point of view."

"The boy is not governed by don't, but is led by do."

"The object of the patrol method is not ao much saving the Scoutmaster trouble as to give responsibility to the boy."

"The most important object in Boy Scout training is to educate, not instruct."

"Scoutmasters need the capacity to enjoy the out-of-doors."

"If you make listening and observation you occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk."

"A boy carries out suggestions more wholeheartedly when he understands their aim."

"The Scoutmaster guides the boy in the spirit of an older brother."

"To get a hold on boys you must be their friend."

Lucky Charms

From the Scoutmaster's Minute - 1958

(Display a collection of good luck charms, such as a horseshoe, rabbits foot, four-leaf clover, silver dollar.)

These are some of the things that people consider good luck charms. Some folks think these things keep them safe.

Now what would you think of a man who depended on his rabbit's foot when he was driving his car? Suppose he depended on his rabbit's foot to keep him safe no matter how he might drive - down the left side of the highway, without lights at night,  with the motor wide open. Well, you know what would happen to him and his rabbit's foot. He'd wind up in on whing-ding of a wreck.

There's only one way to keep safe while driving a car, and that's by obeying the traffic laws. If you disobey the traffic laws, you'll wreck your car. It's that simple. And if you disobey the other laws of mankind, you'll wreck your life.

No, you don't need good luck charms to keep safe. You can keep safe by obeying the Scout Law and God's law. That's the way to be sure of a long, happy trip through life.

Another Kind of Compass

The Scout's tool for finding his way is his compass. We have another tool that helps us to find our way, another kind of a compass. Can anyone tell me what it is? It does not have 360 points, but just twelve. (pause for answer.) That's right, it's the Scout Law.

Long before the Scout Law was developed, there was another law in operation, God's law, with 10 points, The Ten Commandments. The first three Commandments deal with our duty to God, on the last seven tell us of our duty to other people.

God's law is summarized in the New Testament like this: “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.” This covers the first three commandments. The other seven are summarized like this: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” What is the name we usually give to this part of the law? (pause for answer.)  The golden rule, that’s right.

Have you ever thought how wonderful life would be if we all lived by the Golden Rule? No more quarreling, no crime, no wars! That's the truth! There isn't a single situation in human relationships that isn't covered by the Golden Rule. All the conflicts among people and among nations would end if the golden rule was used. 

I recommend the Golden Rule to you as an aid in finding your way through life. Measuring every problem and every situation by it -- your relationship with your family, with your schoolmates, with your brother Scouts, with me -- and you will find it covers every single one! It's the best compass I know. 
 

The Secret To Being Wealthy

Many think that the secret to being rich is to gain a lot of money, but that is not all of it. There are many people with a lot of money, yet they end up worse off than before they had the riches. It's not the money that makes you rich so much as it is how you handle it while you have it. Whether you earn a little money or a lot, the secret to being wealthy is learning to save your money. Benjamin Franklin said, "If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting."

Mistakes

We all make mistakes. We all say or do things that sooner or later we come to regret. Here are some things that we will never be sorry for.

• Thinking before acting
• Hearing before judging
• Forgiving your enemies
• Being candid and frank
• Helping a fallen brother
• Being honest in business
• Thinking before speaking
• Being loyal to your church
• Standing by your principles
• Stopping you ears to gossip
• Bridling a slanderous tongue
• Harboring only pure thoughts
• Sympathizing with the afflicted
• Being courteous and kind to all

- Author Unknown

Don't Try, But Do

There is a good story about General Taylor, who became famous during the Mexican-American war during the 1840's. The victory was in the balance, and a certain battery was turning the scale against the Republic.  General Taylor called the cavalry commander and said, "Take that battery!" The officer answered, "We will try, sir"  "I don't want you to try, sir; I want you to take it." snarled the general.  "We will take it, or die!" replied the young officer.  "I don't want you to die," bellowed the general. "I want you to take that battery." There is a lesson there.  The business world is looking for men of action - not the martyrs or experimenters, but for men who crystallize thought into action - for men who bring things to pass.

Some of you may be thinking to yourself... this phrase sounds familiar from somewhere else.  In Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back, Master Yoda has some of the same advise for young Luke. 

Which One Do You Feed

There once was an old Indian. His little grandson often came in the evenings to sit at his knee and ask the many questions that children ask. One day the grandson came to his grandfather with a look of anger on his face.

Grandfather said, "Come, sit, tell me what has happened today."

The child sat and leaned his chin on his Grandfather's knee. Looking up into the wrinkled, nut brown face and the kind dark eyes, the child's anger turned to quiet tears.

The boy said, "I went to the town today with my father, to trade the furs he has collected over the past several months. I was happy to go, because father said that since I had helped him with the trapping, I could get something for me. Something that I wanted.

I was so excited to be in the trading post. I have not been there before. I looked at many things and finally found a metal knife! It was small, but good size for me, so father got it for me."

Here the boy laid his head against his grandfather's knee and became silent. The Grandfather, softly placed his hand on the boys raven hair and said, "And then what happened?". Without lifting his head, the boy said, "I went outside to wait for father, and to admire my new knife in the sunlight. Some town boys came by and saw me, they got all around me and starting saying bad things.

They called me dirty and stupid and said that I should not have such a fine knife. The largest of these boys, pushed me back and I fell over one of the other boys. I dropped my knife and one of them snatched it up and they all ran away, laughing."

Here the boy's anger returned, "I hate them, I hate them all!"

The Grandfather, with eyes that had seen too much, lifted his grandson's face so his eyes looked into the boy's. Grandfather said, "Let me tell you a story."

"I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me, one is white and one is black. The White Wolf is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the Black Wolf is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them seek to dominate my spirit."

The boy, looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes, and asked, "Which one wins Grandfather?"

The Grandfather, smiled and said, "The one I feed."

Origin unknown. As told to Tèmakamoxkomëhèt by his friend Asuwibi'oxkwe.

Tale of the Unknown Scout

Scouting was brought to America by William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher, and the way Boyce discovered Scouting is one of the movement’s most colorful stories. Boyce, it seems, was in London in the fall of 1909 and was out in a famed London fog looking for an office in the center of the city. Nearly at his wit’s end, Boyce stopped a young man and asked directions. Not only did the youth tell Boyce how to reach his destination, he actually led Boyce there to make certain the American found his way without becoming lost again. Boyce, to show his gratitude, offered the youth a tip, but the youth would not accept it. When asked why, the young man told Boyce he was a Boy Scout and taking a tip would negate the good deed he had done and violate his Scouting code.

The youth’s gesture impressed Boyce, who later visited with Lord Baden-Powell himself. Boyce was so taken with Baden-Powell and the Scouting idea that back in America he and other men interested in youth development founded the Boy Scouts of America in Washington, D.C., on February 8th, 1910. No one knows who the Scout was who performed his Good Turn for Boyce, but he has not been forgotten. In Gilwell Park in London, American Scouts had a statue erected in his honor. A large-scale representation of the Silver Buffalo Award, the statue bears the inscription, “To the Unknown Scout Whose Faithfulness in the Performance of the Daily Good Turn Brought the Scout Movement to the United States of America.”

Founders of the BSA

Today marks the 108th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Below are the individuals who played a key role in establishing this great program.

Robert S. S. Baden-Powell

As a youth, Robert Baden-Powell greatly enjoyed the outdoors, learning about nature and
how to live in the wilderness. After returning as a military hero from service in Africa, BadenPowell
discovered that English boys were reading the manual on stalking and survival in the
wilderness he had written for his military regiment. Gathering ideas from Ernest Thompson
Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and others, he rewrote the manual as a nonmilitary nature skill
book and called it Scouting for Boys. To test his ideas, Baden-Powell brought together 22 boys
to camp at Brownsea Island, off the coast of England. This historic campout was a success
and resulted in the advent of Scouting. Thus, the imagination and inspiration of Baden-Powell,
later proclaimed Chief Scout of the World, brought Scouting to youth the world over.

Ernest Thompson Seton

Born in Scotland, Ernest Thompson Seton immigrated to America as a youth in the 1880s.
His fascination with the wilderness led him to become a naturalist, an artist, and an
author, and through his works he influenced both youth and adults. Seton established a
youth organization called the Woodcraft Indians, and his background of outdoor skills
and interest in youth made him a logical choice for the position of first Chief Scout of the
BSA in 1910. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting, and his
intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality

Daniel Carter Beard

Woodsman, illustrator, and naturalist, Daniel Carter Beard was a pioneering spirit of the
Boy Scouts of America. Already 60 years old when the Boy Scouts of America was formed,
he became a founder and merged it with his own boys’ organization, the Sons of Daniel
Boone. As the first national Scout commissioner, Beard helped design the original Scout
uniform and introduced the elements of the First Class Scout badge. ‘‘Uncle Dan,’’ as he
was known to boys and leaders, will be remembered as a colorful figure dressed in
buckskin who helped form Scouting in the United States.

William D. Boyce

In 1909, Chicago publisher William D. Boyce lost his way in a dense London fog. A boy
came to his aid and, after guiding the man, refused a tip, explaining that as a Scout he
would not take a tip for doing a Good Turn. This gesture by an unknown Scout inspired
a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the British founder of the Boy Scouts. As a result,
William Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. He also
created the Lone Scouts, which merged with the Boy Scouts of America in 1924.

James E. West

James E. West was appointed the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in
1911. Although orphaned and physically handicapped, he had the perseverance to graduate
from law school and become a successful attorney. This same determination provided the
impetus to help build Scouting into the largest and most effective youth organization in
the world. When he retired in 1943, Dr. West was recognized throughout the country as
the true architect of the Boy Scouts of America.

Finding Your Way

Scouts, where did the design for the Scout badge come from? Did you know that it's from the north point of the mariners' compass? Now why did Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, select that symbol for the first Scout badge? In his book, Scouting for Boys, Baden- Powell told us. He said, "It is the badge of the Scout because it points in the right direction, and upwards. It shows the way in doing your duty and helping others. "

In other words, just as the north point of the compass helps us find our way in the field, so the Scout badge helps us find our way through life. So the shape of our Scout badge should be a constant reminder to us of the things we pledge when we say the Scout Oath or Law. Let's think about that badge and what it means the next time we're tempted to do something we know is wrong.

On The Trail

Once a long time ago a hound was out with his owner trailing a mountain lion. The hound came to a place where a fox had crossed the trail, and the hound decided to follow the fox instead of the lion. 

A short time later, a rabbit crossed that of the fox, and again the hound changed direction. Why should he chase a fox when a rabbit might be easier to catch? 

When the hunter finally caught up with his hound, the dog was barking at a small hole in the ground. The hound had brought to bay a field mouse instead of a mountain lion. 

Well, how about you? Have you set out on a trail to achieve your ambition? Are you able to follow it, or are you sidetracked by easier trails that cross it from time to time? 

Don't be like that hound. Find out what it takes to achieve your ambition, and then get started. The best way to achieve anything in life is to set a true course for it and then stick to that trail.

Thank you to Troop 174 in Elwood, NY for posting this wonderful Scoutmaster's minute. http://bsatroop174.org/A_Scoutmaster.html

Fine Consideration

A Scout is Courteous

In 1784, Jefferson was named by Congress minister to France in place of Benjamin Franklin, who, after long and remarkable service there, had begged leave to come home.  Then it was that the Virginian made his kind and courteous acknowledgment of the greatness of his famous colleague and associate of the "Declaration" days. 

"You replace Dr. Franklin, I hear," said the Prime Minister of King Louis of France when Mr. Jefferson was introduced to him at the court.

Jefferson bowed with his customary dignity and courtesy. "Sir," he said, "I succeed Dr. Franklin; no one can replace him."

The Four Freedoms

Message to Congress - January 6, 1941

In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way - everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want - which translated into world terms means economic understanding which will secure to to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear - which translated into world terms means a worldwide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor - anywhere.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Back To School

In our neck of the woods, today is our official back to school day. This morning you could feel all the emotions emitting from my three children.  I could tell who was nervous, excited, and not ready for summer break to end.  I remember having those same feelings when I was their age, especially when school started involving multiple periods throughout the day... and how on earth was I going to remember my locker combination!  I clearly remember one of my high school teachers, Mr Roberts, addressing us on the first day of class. "Each and everyone of you, right at this very moment, all have an "A" in my class... It's what you do with that "A" from now till the end of the semester that will determine your final grade."  He was also the same teacher that had a sign next to the clock in his classroom that read "Time is passing... are you!?" 

Many times we allow simple, little things to stop us from being the best that we can be.  In the following video from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, Elder Allan F. Packer gives a wonderful illustration of reaching our full potential as he relates one of his first experiences as a new scout.

What are some of your "hatchet covers"? I hope that we can acknowledge what those "hatchet covers" may be and work on becoming the best that we can. To all you scouts and scouters starting your first days of the new school year, we wish you the best of luck and remember to always implement the points of the scout law no matter the circumstances.