Posted on 08/31/2006 9:30:44 AM PDT by fgoodwin
Ten ways scouting outranks television
http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2006/08/30/news/lake_life/lakelife03.txt
http://tinyurl.com/pex7t
By Don Grillo
Wednesday, August 30, 2006 10:12 AM EDT
Any time of the year is a good time for parents to enroll their sons in Scouting. But most boys join Scouting in September and October. During this period, annual recruiting programs are conducted by Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops throughout the Cayuga County Council. Boys are attracted to Scouting for the obvious reasons - camping, hiking, uniforms, pinewood derby races, earning badges and awards, making new friends, learning new things and having fun.
Parents want their sons to join Scouting because it is more than just a program. Scouting is a life changing experience that helps build character, values, community and family.
The 12 traits that make up the Scouts Law reads like every parent's wish for their children - “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”
Along with the motto of “be prepared” and the scout slogan “do a good turn daily,” scouting sets expectations of cooperation, respect and good will - all success factors in helping build lifelong personal and family values.
These days there is a great deal of competition for kids time and a family's time - some good, some not so good. Take this example. What are the top 10 reasons why scouting beats TV, hands down?
10. No wires, no remote, no batteries required
9. Scouting burns more calories
8. Scouting is socially interactive
7. Scouting doesn't have commercials
6. Scouting builds character
5. You can't build a campfire in the family room (The fireplace doesn't count)
4. Scouting builds families
3. Scouting provides positive reinforcement and creates positive change
2. Scouting has no place for violence
And the No. 1 reason why scouting beats TV, hands down: Scouting is the ultimate reality show!
For hundreds of local youth that reality show will start this fall. A new Boy Scout who joins in September can travel to Wellesley Island State Park at Thousand Islands with more than 150 local scouts and leaders to join 3,000 other scouts for a 2006 Brotherhood Camporee Weekend.
A new Cub Scout who joins during our county-wide school night on Sept. 21 can bring his family to Spook-O-Ree V, a Halloween themed adventure at Scout Camp Rotary on Saturday, Oct. 21. All new scouts can join more than 400 others in November for one of our communities' most rewarding service projects - “Scouting for Food.” These events and activities are only highlights of the things that scouts do on a weekly basis.
Parental involvement is one of the strengths of scouting that makes it unique. Parents appreciate and enjoy having the ability to become involved at different times and levels in their child's scouting career. Siblings and extended family members can also benefit by participating in family-based activities and programs, not to mention the positive effect a scout can have as a role model, especially to younger family members.
Call 252-9579 or stop by the scout office at 7235 Mutton Hill Road, to find out how to begin your son's scouting experience.
Don Grillo is the scout executive for the Cayuga County Council Boy Scouts of America.
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