Work continues on the basement. I came across this quote in some papers I received from a former Lodge Adviser Bob Bradshaw. Bob later served as EC Regional Advisor. I acquired his Michigan collection in the late 1980s. He passed away much too early in the early 1990s from cancer. I don’t know when this piece was written but it is likely at least 25 years old but the sentiment is still current.

What is Scouting?

I’ll tell you what Scouting is. It’s mainly boys. All kinds of boys. Small, tall, thin, fat, with energy to burn and dreams to dream. It’s getting free from bedrooms and walls and standing under the stars and hearing birds of all kinds tell their fascinating stories in song. And clouds–crazy clouds–some carrying water and others returning empty. And thunder and lightening; and pocket knives which, for the first time, become tools instead of weapons.

It’s building fires that work in all kinds of weather, and long hikes until a fellow is too tired to laugh and too dirty to wash. It’s learning things–like swimming and lifesaving and signaling and woodcraft and reverence for things that grow and animal habits and the language of the forest and the sea. It’s learning to live with folks by helping and doing Good Turns for the fun of it. Its getting rid of fears and suspicions and being brave–like saving a buddy, or getting out of the forest after you got lost off the trail.

It’s feeling God at night, in strange territory, and knowing somehow that He knows what you are thinking even–and cares. It’s getting a new look at Mother and Dad and wondering how you could have been so blind so long to how wonderful they really are. It’s suddenly coming to realize the many hours so many have given so freely and the inconveniences they have suffered so gladly so that you could be a good Scout.

And it’s caring enough to want to help other Scouts grow.

Dr. G. Ogden Kirk.

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