This week’s Scouter’s Minute falls on Scout Sunday. Some of you may be asking, “What is Scout Sunday?” Well, back in the 1940’s, scouts around the world started setting aside the Sunday preceding February 8th as a day to reflect on the 12th point of the Scout Law, reverent. Some of you may now be asking, “what happened on February 8th?” Well, that is the date in 1910 that the Boy Scouts of America was born. But that is a different topic for another time. Cub Scouts and Eagle Scouts alike promise to do their duty to God. Is today the only day that your scout unit can celebrate Scout Sunday? No, you can choose to celebrate on any Sunday during the month of February. The same goes for Scout Sabbath and Scout Jumuah. This is a wonderful day that scouts and scouters can reflect on our duty to God and on being reverent. Back when I was a youth, I can still remember how cool it was to sit in the congregation at church while looking around to see my fellow pack and troop members in full uniform in a setting that usually involves white button-up shirts and ties.

During today, your Scout Sunday can include leaders and scouts receiving religious awards. It could involve a pack or troop display in the foyer of the church highlighting some of your activities and accomplishments. If your charter organization is your church, your day may include handing out programs or being a door greeter welcoming those who are attending the services.

Many times our outdoor adventures take us to some pretty amazing places in this nation. Some of my favorites include Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and Yellowstone. Many of these places that we visit in National Parks are considered sacred and holy. Stand at the base of Yellowstone falls with the 63,000 gallons of water roaring over the edge every second and you get the impression instantly that this place is special… The same goes for the “Narrows” located in Zion National Park. In 1858 Nephi Johnson with a party of Indian guides arrived at the mouth of the canyon, and due to superstition the Indians refused to enter the canyon. Nephi Johnson, alone, followed up river to the narrows and described it as a place “where the sun is seldom seen.” Returning to the mouth at nightfall, Isaac Buhannin, an early settler, seeing the spires, remarked, “Surely this is God’s first temple and should be called Zion.” One practice that I personally have when visiting a breathtaking spot in nature is to sit quietly and while taking in all the sights, scents, and sounds, I also reflect on it’s beauty and the One who created this amazing world for us.

As we experience some of these amazing and natural wonders of the world. Take some time to be reverent and reflect on your own parts of this world that inspire you and also reflect on the Higher Being that made this world for you and me.