Centennial Year of BSA - Scouting History & Memories

Hello Fellow Scouts - JamboTroopBlogger Dave here in South Jordan, Utah.

This is the Centennial Year for the Boy Scouts of America. There is so much history to remember and talk about. We will talk about the rich history of Scouting over the coming months as we approach the National Jamboree 2010 this summer. As we do, we suggest that you remember your Scouting past and consider how it may benefit the future of you and your family. We share the following memories of one boy who became a Scout during the 60th year of the BSA.

Forty years ago today, January 30, 1970, a young man named David turned 11 and went on his first Scout campout with Troop 400 of Fountain Valley, California. The campsite was less than an hour away at Camp Myford but this new Scout considered the trip the most important of his life. He was so excited to be a Scout and a part of the group of 20 or so from Troop 400.

Now, it is said that It Never Rains in Southern California, but it did that first night of camping for David. Troop 400 was a new troop and did not have (yet) expensive all-weather tents. Orange tube tents strung between two trees and staked at the four corners provided the shelter for the Scouts. These are tents that some carry today for emergency shelter.

Well, it wasn't long before the heavy rain formed a stream and it was running from one open end of David's tent to the other. There are no doors on tube tents you see. So sleeping bags get wet, and then Scouts get wet and cold. So, David heads to the campfire and warms up but soon the adults instruct that it is time to go to bed. What bed? My bed is at home - here I just have a wet sleeping bag and its cold! Obidiently, David went back to the tube tent for what he recalls to be the most miserable night of camping ever.

The next month David was on the Scout campout with Troop 400 and he did not miss one ever. He learned to backpack, fish, cook, shoot rifles, climb rocks and glaciers, lead and teach other Scouts, and so many other things. David loved Scouting and he became an Eagle Scout in 1974. He later formed Explorer Post 400 with some of his older backpacking friends, and they continued on for a couple more years before college.

With all the great times in Scouting that David has had and remembers to this day, one of the fondest memories is that his Dad was along on most of the Scout outings. He was in the backgound yes, but he was there and an impotant part of David's experience with Scouting.

Fast forward to 1996 when David's first son was born. He was there when Brandon was born and one of the first thoughts was, I can hardly wait until he is eleven years old so he can become a Scout. And today David has two sons, Brandon and Parker, in Scouts with Troop 410 of Salt Lake City. His third son, Carter, will be 11 in May and can hardly wait until he can join Troop 410. In fact, Carter has tagged along on 3 or 4 campouts for some early training and FUN!

Brandon will be 14 tomorrow and is about 3 months from earning his Eagle Scout badge. He is a leader, loves to cook and camp, and now he is passing his skills on to the younger Scouts. He helps his brother Parker, just like David helped his younger brother Bryon.

Parker is 12 and has lots of fun, especially with the crafts - basketry and pottery as examples. He already helps his younger brother Carter, just like Brandon helps him. And so it is with Scouting, one Scout passing on the skills learned to the younger Scouts, so they may do the same.

Brandon will attend the National Jamboree 2010 this summer, and he will have the time of his life with Jamboree Troop 605 and all the other Scouts at Fort AP Hill, Virginia. His Dad will be watching in the background and blogging a bit about some of the important points of history for the BSA, the values of Scouting, and those memories and skills we all have and need to pass along to the younger Scouts, so they may do the same. Check back or subscribe to the Jamboree Troop Blog feed for future blog posts.

Feel free to share a memory or two through your comments below or send an email to JamboTroopBlogger Dave. We would like to share some real life Scouting memories with everyone as the National Jamboree 2010 approaches. Its only 176 days away!

Your Friend in Scouting,
JamboTroopBlogger Dave