Boy Scouts now a century old

[Danno 1,228]

Boy Scouts now a century old

by Erica Rush, KCBY News

Originally printed at http://www.kcby.com/news/local/85125662.html

NORTH BEND, Ore. -An American tradition that helps teach young boys how to be leaders is now a century old, as the local Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 100th birthday.

Dressed in their uniforms, decorated in merit badges, were dozens of local Boy and Cub Scouts, who came together Monday night for their special Blue and Gold festive dinner.

The Boy Scouts was started back in 1910, with the Cub Scouts following 20 later. According to the BSA, their program is intended to build character through responsibilities and participation, which turns out to also be a lot of fun, according to the scouts we spoke with.

Boy Scout, Nick Slowik said, "You get to go and experience new things, you get to meet new people all the time. It's a great experience just to be out in the outdoors and it's a wonderful time."

Cub Scout, Nick Borgens added, "I've learned how to get along with other people and work together with them and it's really fun."

Aside from teaching the same basic building blocks for a century now, Cub Master Dennis Borgens says the BSA has also evolved over the years, adapting to the needs of today's scouts.

"They changed the uniform to go along with what's going on in that time period," said Borgens. "They change what the boys are learning, as far as merit badges, they're constantly adding new merit badges and removing old ones that are kind of outdated."

To find a local Boy or Cub Scout Chapter near you, you can visit www.scouting.org

[natty bumppo 297]

Yea I'm a scout .. been there done that ...have the proof ...

you hate the fact you were a loser as a child?

[Scott & Lai 12]

I was one

[Danno 1,228]

I still have some of the camping gear.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Cub scout and Boy scout.

[wayno 9]

Many weekends of my youth spent camping in Western MD, PA, W VA, VA, and NC while in the scouts. Many good times and memories. Saw and learned to appreciate things many of my peers had no idea existed.

[NickD 203]

Can still tie a square knot and am prepared. Or was that, be prepared? Was that a three finger salute?

[luckytxn 2,265]

Also was a Webelo.

Edited February 24, 2010 by luckytxn

[Teacher Mark 53]

My friends and I were court-martialed diring my stint in the Boy Scouts! They broke into a small building during one of our retreats. There was a dog in a cage, so they let it loose. Turns out it was being quarantined because it may have been rabid. It took off and found the first kid it could take a hunk out of and did so. It made our local paper even though it was over a hundred miles away.

I was exonerated because I had stood back the entire time, suggesting that we go study for our merit badges or something. I didn't have a ride to the meetings anymore since my friends were no longer attending, so that was that.

[luckytxn 2,265]

I was not allowed to attend camp outings so my troop came up with where we did a backyard camp outing a couple of times and helped me and a few others that couldn't afford to go to earn merit badges that couldn't have been earned otherwise.

[Danno 1,228]

My friends and I were court-martialed diring my stint in the Boy Scouts! They broke into a small building during one of our retreats. There was a dog in a cage, so they let it loose. Turns out it was being quarantined because it may have been rabid. It took off and found the first kid it could take a hunk out of and did so. It made our local paper even though it was over a hundred miles away.

I was exonerated because I had stood back the entire time, suggesting that we go study for our merit badges or something. I didn't have a ride to the meetings anymore since my friends were no longer attending, so that was that.

Yeah I was in a "Pack" where everyone was a juvenile delinquent..... I can still recall our Scout masters speech as he told us he was quitting... and why.

[Vi Mazzella 4]

Here! Ardilla first and then Girl scout! great memories