Scout's Honor Today

By Jose Francisco

Scouting is all about respect for our fellowman. This is the only honorable thing that is worthy of honoring in this, our world today.

When General Powell wrote up the fundamental laws of the Boy Scout, he was primarily thinking of respect for others. Even his manner of researching embodied that respect. He got the principles of the Bushido tribe of the Samurai, the American Indians, the Knights of England, and even those that he fought against, the African Zulus. This just means that even when he was in battle with the enemy, there was still that degree of respect – and that is what honor is all about.

The Scout Law states that you must love God. This means loving yourself, then spreading this love to others and thereby helping your country better itself in the long run.

Loving yourself means that you have to be physically, mentally and emotionally fit. As a kid I have always loved reading the compass and playing the games associated with it. I was smaller than kids my age and being good at the compass helped me to gain my confidence as I journeyed with the other scouts.

There are a lot of activities which would help a scout become fit in the physical aspect. There's camping, hiking, and water activities. Camping for scouts would include an overnighter and a day camp. For the Cub Scouts, it is best that they get the hang of life in the outdoors gradually since they are more susceptible compared to the Boy Scouts. Hiking is applicable to both types of Scouts. Just remember to have them bring their Coleman backpacks so they don't strain themselves while walking along steep pathways. Swimming activities are good even for those with respiratory ailments, as this helps exercise the lungs to keep them strong.

Spreading the love to others will include, first and foremost, their family. This is the reason why the five achievements required for a Tiger Cub to go to the next step always involves a family member. As they spread the love, and as they teach, they will also learn. It's a give and take relationship of sorts.

After involving the family, they go out to expand their territory by interviewing the firefighters, seeking out the library, and basically just interacting with the community. Interacting with people around them will help them understand what life is like for other people, most especially the least fortunate ones. Immersion of children to various socioeconomic conditions will help open their eyes to the reality that the world needs them. And there are those that need their help desperately.

When they are aware of the current situation in their communities, then this is how they begin to honor God by doing their best for their country. A Scout will help another person in any way they can. Whether it be painting a bridge as a young scout, helping an old lady walk across the street as a boy scout, organizing community awareness programs as an Eagle Scout, or ensuring that the town stays alive by creating tourism jobs that help preserve the environment as the city mayor.

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