2023-17 Health Creed

This month we are starting on the Personal Fitness merit badge.  This is one of the three merit badges that will probably take you the most time as there are tracking requirements of about 3 months.  This merit badge will challenge you as you run your mile, complete your pushups, sit-ups, and or pullups.  The goal is to better your outcome each time that we have a recording day.  If we don’t treat our bodies well, they will not do well when it comes time to see how fast we can run or how many reps we can do.

Back in the 1950’s the Massachusetts State Board of Health published the following which was also included in the Scoutmaster’s Handbook during that period. It’s entitled:

Health Creed

My body is the temple of my soul, therefore,
I will keep my body clean within and without;
I will breathe pure air and I will live in the sunlight,
I will do no act that might endanger the health of others,
I will try to learn and practice the rule of healthy living,
I will work and rest and play at the right time and
in the right way, so that my mind will be strong and my
body healthy, and so that I will lead a useful life and
be an honor to my parents, to my friends, and to my country.

Let us all do our best to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight as we strive to keep our bodies in shape.

2023-10 Don't Get Hooked

Years ago, when I was a teenager, my father took us fishing alongside the Fall River located in Ashton Idaho.  Typically, you would use a fly on this river… but for some reason we tied a spoon onto the end of the line.  I’m guessing that Dad just wanted to see if a fish would hit his go-to lure. Now, Dad was not used to fishing on swift rivers like this with rainbows and cutthroat trout, rather, he was used to ponds in Iowa with blue gills and bass. So, with spoon tied on, I clicked my button on my trusty reel and let-er rip. All of a sudden, I felt a shot through my back as I flung the fishing lure directly at myself. My only guess is that the lure snagged on the long grass behind me, causing its flight plan to change course and embed itself through my shirt and into my skin.  Dad rushed over and was successful in removing the fishing lure. Just in case you’re wondering, yes… getting treble hooks out of your back with pliers hurts really bad! 

As we look at how to remove a fishhook from your skin, I’m reminded of how we need to pass this off as we work on Second Class along with the Fishing Merit Badge.  Another story involving a fishhook… A couple of years ago we had a guest visit our troop and assist us with the fishing and fly-fishing merit badges.  He was having a hard time getting the Scouts to understand the process of how to remove a fishhook from your skin. So… he took the object lesson to the next level and purposely stuck himself with a fishhook to have one of the Scouts perform the first aid and remove it. Instantly he had everyone’s attention.  The object lesson was a huge success, and everyone still remembers how to get a fish hook out of your skin because of what they witnessed. With that being said, I highly don’t recommend doing this on purpose. 

Let’s switch gears a little.  What are some metaphorical “hooks” out there in this world that can get you into trouble?  Smoking? Drinking? Drugs? Now, think of how these items keep you away from being physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight? Many of us have someone that we know that has attempted, in the process, or has quit smoking.  The process was a very difficult and long one for the individual that I personally know.  There are a lot of people out there that struggle with smoking and are wanting to quit daily.  The struggle is real, and it’s hard.  The most successful way to quit is to not start in the first place.  

You personally may be placed in a position where you have a friend offer you something to smoke, drink or take.  What are you going to do? What are you going to say?  In reality, the choice is yours.  But, I would raise the question of why would you start doing something that so many people are trying to quit? Each time we are placed into one of these circumstances, let us remember the Scout Oath and Law. 

2023-04 Balanced Diet

It’s that time of year when everyone starts to hit the gym or begin a new diet as part of their New Year’s resolutions.  The last statistic I heard this year regarding those that quit their resolutions early was 85% by the middle of January! One aspect of life I have always strived to follow is that of a balanced diet. A few years ago, I found myself enjoying one too many cobblers around the campfire and came to the realization that I needed to change my eating habits.  Within my personal research, I came to the conclusion that if I was going to take the weight off, and keep it off, I would need to not just crash through a diet, but actually make some life changes. Growing up I was always taught that you could have all things in moderation. With that being said, is eating cobbler bad? I would say no.  Is eating cobbler for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next week ok? I would say it is probably not the best thing you could do or eat for a week straight. Anyway, you get the point.

As we all know, there are 6 major food groups within a balanced diet. Bread & Grain being one, Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy, Meat, Sugar & Fat. Each one of these groups has their benefits.  We are taught in a really good, and ancient book, that man can not live on bread alone.  Yes, there are those of us that are unable to put some of these items in our body. I’m  unable to digest dairy. Some of us make life choices to not consume meat. Does that mean that we are not following a balanced diet? I would say no. Mother nature is amazing and has provided multiple ways to consume the needed proteins and nutrients our body’s need to survive. In my case, as I’m unable to consume dairy products, I can get my needed calcium through things like almond milk, broccoli, figs, sunflower seeds, fish and beans.

Just like with our food, I believe the same sort of thing is true for our lives, not just our bodies. I can think of 6 'life groups' kind of like the 'food groups' - Academics, Athletics, Family, Music, Religion, and Social.

If you focus on just one of these life groups, the rest of the groups will suffer.  For example, not saying that this is a horrible thing to do, but if you spend 100% of your time on your academics and only focus on homework from sunup to sundown, then your social life, family life, and religion may be affected. 

Scouting, in my opinion, does an amazing job in helping each of us in these categories. The merit badge program teaches us many great things. Scouting is a game with a purpose, and sometimes those games help us stay physically strong. We receive constant help from our family as we work through our rank advancements. As our campfire fades away from a fun night of singing campsongs, we close with scout vespers. Each day we strive to do our duty to God. And, through our dens, packs, patrols, troops, teams, and posts, we are constantly building our social life through the patrol method.

We can live a balanced life as we strive to keep the Scout Oath each day.  To do our best, to do  our duty to God and our Country, to help other people at all times, to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

2023-02 Pearls of Wisdom - Quotes From Baden-Powell

This Scouter’s Minute is a redo from back before I had this podcast in 2018. This redo also seems very fitting for today, since Lord Robert Baden-Powell left this earth on January 8th, 1941, that we reflect on some of his quotes. Now, I realize that most of his quotes here do not include girls even though Baden-Powell assisted with the beginnings of the Girl Guides. That’s because this was back in the early days of the Boy Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America with only boy membership. With that being said, you could apply “girl” for most of these and they would be applicable. So, without any further ado, here are some of the awesome things that this great man said.

"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 down 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."

"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 so 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 your 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."

2022-25 Which One Do You Feed

In 2018 I shared this scouter’s minute back before I was doing this podcast. This one is entitled, “which one do you feed”. Also, with it being father’s day, this one seems very fitting for all those fathers and father figures. We wish you a very happy day today.

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 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 boy's 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 started 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."

All of us have these two types of wolves inside of us. Let us all do our best to feed the wolf that will bring us happiness, peace, and joy.

2022-24 How To Catch A Monkey

This Scouter’s Minute is one that I shared back in 2016 when I first started ScouterLife.com. This was way before I even thought of creating this podcast and having our weekly scouter’s minutes available by both audio and text. From the 1958 printing of Ideas and Stories for The Scoutmaster's Minute, this one is entitled “How To Catch A Monkey”.

Anybody here want to know how to catch a monkey? Well, I can tell you how they do it in India. They take a coconut, cut a small hole in it, and put some rice inside. Then they tie the coconut down securely and wait for the monkey.

Monkeys are greedy and selfish. I guess you could say anybody who is greedy and selfish is a monkey. Anyway, monkeys are so greedy and selfish that they fall for the coconut trick every time.

The monkey sticks his paw into the coconut to get the rice. He gets a handful -- but then he can't get his hand out of the coconut. His fist won't go through the small hole. And he's so greedy and selfish that he won't let the handful of rice go. He just waits there with his greedy fist wrapped around the rice until the men come and take him.

Well, you've got the moral to this story: Don't be greedy and selfish, or you may make a monkey of yourself.

2022-21 Quick To Be Slow

Anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. Especially with everything that has been going on in the news lately. However, if you find your anger turns to aggression or outbursts, you need to find healthy ways to deal with anger. One phrase that I have adopted is “be quick to be slow”. Meaning, act quickly to be slow to anger. We are taught this principle in James 1:19 of the bible. 

There are many children’s books that help us understand our anger and how we should react when angry.  Our go to book on this topic is Llama Llama Mad at Mama.  Mostly because I can relate to Llama Llama as both of us agree that shopping is not fun!  The best part about this book, It does not tell you how to handle your anger. Instead, it leaves it open for the adults and children to come to their own conclusions of how to control their emotions.  

Here are a few way to control your anger:

1. Count down from 100

2. Take slow, deep breaths

3. Go for a walk

4. Stretch

5. Play some tunes

6. Stop talking

7. Put yourself in a timeout

8. Write in your journal

9. Picture a stop sign

10. Watch or listen to something that will make you laugh

As Scouts, we could probably recite the Scout Oath or Law over and over until we diffuse our anger.  And if you are still not cooled down after that… maybe go on to recite the outdoor code a few times.  

Let us all be quick to be slow to anger as we live and practice the Scout Oath and Law each and every day.

2022-20 Take Me Out to the Ballgame

In 1908, one of the most iconic songs associated with the game of baseball was written. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. A couple of interesting facts, the writers of the song, Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, had never attended a baseball game until after they wrote the song. Jack was inspired to write the song while riding the subway and seeing a sign that read, “Baseball Today”. It was not until 1934 that we have the first record of this song being played at a high school baseball game in LA.  Later on in 1934, it was played at game 4 of the World Series. This song can be heard during Minor and Major League games in the middle of the 7th inning and the crowd usually joins in the singing.

Baseball is one of those things in life that I love. Like many of you, as a youth, I played ball.  My position was catcher. The best part about being the catcher, you usually get to keep moving during the whole game as the pitcher throws every ball or strike to your glove. My father was my little league coach, which made the experience even more memorable. Today, life has come full circle and now I coach my kid’s team. There is just something about standing on that red dirt, the smells of fresh cut grass and popcorn from the snack shack, and the sounds of the crack of a bat as the crowd cheers. Baseball is also a game that does not have a time limit. Sure, little league usually sets a time to be done and calls the game, but that is the only case. In reality, whoever has the most runs at the end of 9 innings is the winner. In the event of a tie in the 9th, we go on to extra innings to find out who the winner is and the home team always has last bats. A few years ago, at Angel Stadium, we attended a game that went into the 14th inning! That was a long game!

Life is very similar to a baseball game.  None of us has a crystal ball telling us how long we are going to be on this earth or the choices we are going to make.  We take each pitch, one at a time. Sometimes we will make choices that result in getting on base, striking out, or even hitting a home run. In life as in baseball you must play to the last out as opposed to playing until the time runs out.

In the Scout Oath and Law, we are charged to being physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. To be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.  Each one of these points are essential as each of us play our position in the epic game of baseball called life.

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don’t care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,
At the old ball game

2022-04 I Am A Corporal

The other day I came across this short story entitled “I am a Corporal.”

During the Revolutionary War, the soldiers were trying to raise a heavy timber which they could hardly lift from the ground.  A young corporal stood by, urging the men to lift hard, and shouting, “Now, boys, right up,” when a superior officer rode up, dismounted and lifted with the men. When the timber was in place the officer asked the corporal why he did not help “I am a corporal,” he replied. “I am George Washington,” replied the officer.

As a member of the patrol in your troop, the time may soon be yours when you are a Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, or Senior Patrol Leader.  One thing has been proven over the ages is that good leaders lead by example, not by force.   

Leading by example means you're guiding others through your behaviors and inspiring them to do the same as you. When you lead by example, you provide a path to direct others down so that everyone is working toward a common goal with the same purpose.

A leader makes it natural for people to feel like they want to do the best they can for the patrol. When you lead by example, you can accomplish this and have a troop that's full of trust, confidence and purpose.

Eventually, down the trail of life, the leadership skills you learned as a scout can be used when you decide to start a family and lead your children. You can also use your leadership skills in your career when you are an employee or a manager of employees. 

Whatever your leadership status is in life. Always remember to implement the Scout Oath and Scout Law. To help other people at all times and to be trustworthy, loyal, and helpful.

2022-03 Watch Your Mouth

During the American Revolution, George Washington issued an order against profanity. Washington could not endure the low and wicked practice in the army. He pointed out that profanity is so repulsive and unmanly among soldiers, how could a youth who uses profanity look parents, good people, and their teachers in the face without a sense of guilt and shame?

Here is Washington's order as quoted by Thayer: “ Many and frequent orders have been issued against the unmeaning and abominable custom of swearing, notwithstanding which, with much regret, the General observes that it prevails if possible, more than ever. His feelings are continually wounded by the oaths and in  imprecations of the soldiers, whenever he is in hearing of them. The name of that Being from whose bountiful goodness we are permitted to exist and enjoy the comforts of life is incessantly implicated and profaned in a manner as wanton as it is shocking. For the sake, therefore of religion, decency, and order, the General hopes and trusts that officers of every rank will use their influence and authority to check advice which is as unprincipled as it is wicked and shameful. If officers would make it an enviable rule to reprimand, and if that won't do, to punish soldiers for an offense of this kind, it would not fail of having the desired effect.”

In reference to the above order, and to quote the movie National Treasure, “People don’t talk like that way anymore.” 

I remember years ago, when I said a swear word, and my mother found out… I thought for sure that I was a goner! I am very lucky, and blessed, that my mother was one that taught me the importance of choosing good words after that incident and that I needed to change and not use profane words.  One of the things I do not envy of my teenage children, is the language they have to hear as they walk the halls to and from class at school.  Some of those teenagers that are saying those horrible words are Scouts! It was bad back in my day, and I can only imagine how much worse it is now.  It’s all around us now through music, movies, podcasts, and now even on live TV when they can’t blur out words or mute the sound fast enough on the news. 

As we practice the Scout Law, we should not only be physically Clean. But, also clean in our words.

2021-02 Physically Strong

In 1867, a sickly, asthmatic (which was sometimes fatal in those days), and frail nine year old boy received some advice from his father. “Son, you have brains, but brains are of little use without the body; you have to make your body, and it lies with you to make it.” From that day forward, this young boy started to make his body, and he never ceased in making that body until the day of his death. In the home gym that his father built, the boy became a strapping young man who loved to compete in boxing, rowing, gymnastics, weightlifting and exploring the wonders of the outdoors.

After graduating from Harvard, his doctor advised him to find a desk job and avoid strenuous activity due to discovering that the Lad had a serious heart problem. Instead of taking the doctor’s advice, he went out and climbed the Matterhorn instead. In 1880 he married and entered Columbia University Law School which only lasted a year before he decided that law school was not for him and dropped out and entered public service. In 1884 both his wife and mother died on the same day causing him to grieve for two years at his ranch in the Badlands of the Dakota Territory.  There he worked as a frontier sheriff and eventually remarried. In 1886 he ran for mayor of New York City, but did not win the race. But that did not get him down because in 1886 he worked for the U.S. Civil Service Commission and in 1895 became the president of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners. It seemed like he was on the fast pass of his career as 2 years later he was named the assistant secretary of the U.S. Navy and then a year later became a colonel of the First U.S. volunteer Cavalry known as the “Rough Riders.” Shortly after, he was named Mckinley's running mate for the Presidency and won! In 1901 his running mate was shot by a deranged man and sadly died, causing this sickly, asthmatic, frail boy from New York City, to be sworn in as the 26th President of the United States at the age of 42. His name, Theodore Roosevelt.

When the world is constantly telling you that you can’t, be like President Roosevelt. Don’t let your weaknesses bring you down. Learn from them and get stronger. Each time we recite the Scout Oath, we give our honor that we will do our best to be physically strong. Because, No matter how weak or strong we are, there is always room for improvement.

2021-01 Your Neckerchief

When you joined your troop, chances are you received a triangular piece of cloth called a neckerchief. As you know, this is worn with your uniform around your neck. There is a constant debate on if the neckerchief should be worn over or under the collar… I’ll leave that topic for you to discuss amongst yourselves. This triangle is one of my favorite pieces of the uniform. Not just because it adds some color to the monochromatic scheme of the uniform or that it is extremely helpful when playing a game of dragon tails. But, the reason why it’s my favorite is because it has so many different meanings. The color of your neckerchief could represent your troop or what patrol your in. It could indicate that you attended a jamboree or national youth leadership training. When I was a staff member at Island Park Scout Camp just south of Yellowstone National Park, we had a very unique neckerchief that made everyone aware that we were a staff member. The triangle was made out of a flannel fabric, and had fringe along the boarding to represent the fringe on a mountain man’s clothing with the Island Park Scout Camp brand in the middle of the field of the neckerchief. It not only visually indicated to other people that we worked at the scout camp, but it also created a sense of comradery between everyone who wore it.

As we go through the ranks and merit badges, we find that the neckerchief can be used for many other purposes including first aid applications. While hiking with my family I still wear a neckerchief to protect my neck from the sun and to cool myself down by soaking it in water along the trail. But, there is one purpose that tends to get overlooked, to remind you of the Scout Oath. The neckerchief has three points. Just like the Scout Oath has three points. Duty to God and Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Yourself. I challenge you to remember the three points of the Scout Oath each time you place your neckerchief on your neck. To God and your country, to help other people at all times, and to keep yourself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

2020-32 Chirp, Chirp, Chirp

This last week our troop had an amazing event happen… we had our first Eagle! This did not happen overnight but has been in the scouting incubator for 7 years.

 I’m reminded of a scene in one of my favorite musicals, 1776.  We have John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson sitting on the steps of Independence Hall in Philadelphia waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp of an eaglet being born while playing midwives to an egg. They have just completed putting the declaration of independence on paper and are debating on which bird will represent our nation. The eagle, the dove, or… the turkey.  We see Benjamin Franklin voice his opinion towards the turkey while calling the eagle a scavenger, thief, and coward. Franklin eventually comes around to agree on the Eagle with the other two.

Tonight, we awarded you with the hours and hours of work that you, your family, your friends, and your leaders have completed along your trail to eagle. Adding a little here and a little there to your egg. And tonight, you hatched and become an Eaglet.  As a newly hatched Eaglet, there is still a lot that will need to be completed as you mature into a full-grown Eagle. Take a look at those who have been invited to sit within the Eagles Nest, there is quite a few of them that are balding, or are Bald Eagles.  The journey does not end when you receive this award but continues with you through all the days of your life while you interact and work with others around you. 

Throughout your life, continue to do your best, do your duty to God and your county, always help others, stay physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Keep the 12 points of the scout law in your back pocket. At home, school, or work; be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.