Scouting Supports LDS Duty to God program

This came from the morning NCAC Conference on Scouting in Virginia, during one of the break out sessions. Brother Ramos gave an interesting illustration of how the Duty to God program is supported by Scouting, both of which are directed toward accomplishing the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood. I thought I'd share this excerpt from my notes.

How do the three programs (Scouting, Duty to God, Priesthood) fit together? Brother Ramos took a giant note board to draw a figure. What do we want them (the boys) to accomplish? Purposes of the AP.

He then shared an experience from a meeting with presiding leaders: Elder Holland pulled out the Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth and had the group read from that book. The emphasis was that we need to read about and understand what we are truly trying to accomplish.

The different programs (DTG and Scouting) help us get to the purposes.

Duty to God points the boys toward the Purpose. It gives direction and focus.

DTG was installed as an achievement program, not an activity program. Scouting is a strong arm holding up the DTG (not the ultimate end, but the lever to hold the arrow up).

All of this is built on a strong foundation: family, quorum, gospel, For the Strength of Youth.

When you give up Scouting, you lose the structure, lose the fun, and lose the safety.

I really liked this visualization.

YiLDSS,
D. Brian Walton
Harrisonburg, VA
[scouts-lds mailing list]

Uniforms - Baden Powell

I have often said, "I don’t care a fig whether a Scout wears a uniform or not so long as his heart is in his work and he carries out the Scout Law." But the fact is that there is hardly a Scout who does not wear the uniform if he can afford to buy it.

The spirit prompts him to it.

The same rule applies naturally to those who carry on the Scout Movement - the Scoutmasters and Commissioners; there is no obligation on them to wear the uniform if they don’t like it. At the same time, they have in their positions to think of others rather than of themselves.

Personally, I put on the uniform, even if I have only a Patrol to inspect, because I am certain that it raises the moral tone of the boys. It heightens their estimation of their uniform when they see it is not beneath a grown man to wear it; it heightens their estimation of themselves when they find themselves taken seriously by men who also count it of importance to be in the same brotherhood with them.

Smartness in uniform and correctness in detail may seem a small matter, but has its value in the development of self-respect, and means an immense deal to the reputation of the Movement among outsiders who judge by what they see.

It is largely a matter of example. Show me a slackly-dressed Troop and I can "Sherlock" a slackly-dressed Scoutmaster. Think of it, when you are fitting on your uniform or putting that final saucy cock to your hat.

You are the model to your boys and your smartness will reflect itself in them.

- Lord Baden Powell

Early Rank Requirements

BSA now has a new site dedicated to the first three rank advancements.



This site is loaded with video information for the boys as they are working on their rank advance ments.

You can get more information and check it out here.