Hooray For the BOY SCOUTS!

We've been involved with our local Boy Scout troop for the past 4 years. Both boys having already progressed to Life Scout; my youngest hoping to attain Eagle Scout before 18 years of age, and my husband has been an active assistant Scoutmaster until just recently. I can't say enough about this wholesome, life-skills building program - except, perhaps, that I wish we had joined sooner.  As a homeschool mom I was so impressed by the diverse selection and in-depth study of the different survival, and personal management skills merit badges necessary to advance in the scouting program. There are 128 current merit badges a scout can choose from in fields such as:  Arts and Crafts, Agribusiness, Natural Science, Personal Development, Hobbies, Conservation, Trades and more. There are 15 required courses of study necessary to attain Eagle Scout rank: Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, Family Life First Aid, Hiking, Lifesaving, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Swimming and Cycling, and I have often thought that if the public school system would offer life and integrity building courses like these we would be training up more leaders rather than followers.

  This weekend a Camporee was held just outside our homestead. Twelve area troops joined together for a weekend of camping, outdoor events and inclement weather. I didn't realize that their time would be completely spoken for and hoped to have the entire group of kids come visit the farm, but it wasn't meant to be. Our troop did stop in for a quick tour in between events, and what a help they were! In no time at all they..

helped harvest the garden

fed the fish

moved all the pineapple plants out of the greenhouse

and fed the baby goats

Later in the evening they returned and

helped spin honey

The Boy Scout law is: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.  And in our troop's case this is true