, Publisher
09-14-2009
Scouts don’t just build campfires. They build character.
The Louisiana Purchase Council of Boy Scouts of America Scout Executive David Sorrell said the skills acquired through involvement with the scouts are unique to the organization.
While scouts are able to enjoy hiking, archery and fishing, the group also incorporates character-building and teamwork exercises to instill camaraderie and respect within the boys involved. These are qualities that are sorely needed in our society, as respect for elders and manners seem to have become less the norm.
In addition, boys learn skills very applicable to this area, such as hunting and boating safety while scouting in the Sportsman’s Paradise. Survival skills also play an integral part of the organization. Boys are taught to build campfires, shelters, navigate terrain without the help of a compass, GPS or map and, most importantly, work together to accomplish a mutual goal.
Despite maintaining some of the traditional activities, the organization has made a few significant changes over the last few decades.
Boy Scouts today also use technology as a means of communication and a learning tool. Scouts are taught how to use a GPS and view information about the wilderness through online research.
As parents search for activities this fall to keep their active sons entertained, they can consider the Boy Scouts.
The LPC of Boy Scouts of America offered informational nights at area schools last week, but it’s not too late to sign up for the outdoor experience. To find out more about the LPC chapter of the Boy Scouts, call 325-4634 or visit their Web site at www.louisianapurchasecouncil.org.
Youth are happier and better adjusted when they get some exercise and have the opportunity to make new friends and explore practical activities they enjoy. In this day and age, too many young people fall into unhealthy routines of watching hours of television and making more friends on the Internet than in real life. With all the different options available to Boy Scouts, it may be worth looking into.
Other Top Stories
