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Scouting America, Ohio River Valley Council > Boy Scouts > One Mom’s View of Scouts Will Make You See The Value

One Mom’s View of Scouts Will Make You See The Value

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A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. This is more than just the Scout Law. It has been spoken publicly at Scout meetings for generations as a reminder of what compromises a Scout. It is a deeply intentional, embedded core belief and call to action for every young man who embarks on the journey of Scouting.

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 Oath is a promise to live a civic-minded life, with one’s best in regard to God and country, and in service to others with respect to the characteristics of the Scout Law. These things are spoken with great conviction by my 14 year old son, Maxwell, and hundreds of other Scouts in the Ohio River Valley Council, as well as by the multitudes of other young men across the country.

In essence, Scouting is, and has been developing citizens of unparalleled character. Since Maxwell’s first Cub Scout meeting as a young boy, up through today as a Star Scout, and working toward Eagle in Troop 6, Scouting has played a major role in developing his character. His Scouting journey is building a leader, a man of morals, and giving him a place to develop and strengthen those Scout Law traits. These values will carry him to great heights as an adult.

One of my favorite quotes is by Frederick Douglas. It reads; “It is easier to build strong children, than to repair broken men.” Scouting does that very thing. It morally, socially and personally provides the building blocks of a man of conviction, a true selfless leader. When we equip our young men with the attributes of Scouting, a self-confident man armed with a heart and soul to lead and influence society is the finished product.

In the raising of my son, Scouting is uniquely woven into his journey to become a man of character and conviction. I see him serving in anyway needed in this community and to the ends of the earth. As a mother, I am honored to instill the Scouting attributes in my son. He is learning the unparalleled leadership and servantship qualities so desperately needed in society today.

Kathy, a proud Scout parent