Photo courtesy of Just Sallyrye
“Be prepared, son. That’s my motto. Be prepared.” ~Joe Hallenbeck (Bruce Willis in The Last Boy Scout)
Despite the title and the quote, this isn’t really a post about the movie The Last Boy Scout, starring Bruce Willis. Although, if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. My good friend Lisis at Quest for Balance suggested that I write a post about my days as a boy scout, so here we go…
I was a boy scout for almost 4 years. In that time, I learned a lot of great stuff. I learned all about tying knots, wilderness survival, campfire cooking, map-reading, first-aid, and dozens of other things. BTW, grape jelly mixed into scrambled eggs turns them green, in case your kids ever want “green eggs and ham”. 
I also learned (according to the Boy Scout Handbook):
- A Scout is Trustworthy.
- A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
- A Scout is Loyal.
- A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
- A Scout is Helpful.
- A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
- A Scout is Friendly.
- A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
- A Scout is Courteous.
- A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
- A Scout is Kind.
- A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
- A Scout is Obedient.
- A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
- A Scout is Cheerful.
- A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
- A Scout is Thrifty.
- A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
- A Scout is Brave.
- A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
- A Scout is Clean.
- A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
- A Scout is Reverent.
- A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
I still try to live according to those principles. Sometimes I slip in one or more of them, but they represent ideal behavior to me. I find that if I follow those principles, then I stay out of trouble. As soon as I slip up, trouble comes quickly.
Those were lessons that were planned into the scouting experience, programmed by books and scout leaders to turn young boys into productive and capable outdoorsmen and fine young men. While these were all great lessons, the true gifts of scouting are the more “unplanned” lessons that come up along the way.
I learned that there’s a huge difference between a 10-mile hike through the woods and a 10-mile hike through the city. I learned that camping in the middle of Winter is a lot different from camping in the middle of Summer. I learned that discovering a small stream while on one of those 10-mile hikes in Summer is just about as close to heaven as you can get in this world. I found that 5 pounds of food is heavy in a backpack, but not nearly as heavy as the feeling of being stuck in the woods without 5 pounds of food in your backpack.
I learned that the guys who take you snipe hunting will be the same guys who carry you out of the woods on a litter should you be clumsy enough to step on a snake. The same guy who pushes you off of a log into the creek below will help you back up. True friends will laugh at you sometimes, but they’ll always come through when you really need them.
I learned that nothing can make a group of boys in Jr. high school bathe faster than the prospect of college girls coming over to share the campfire later that night. College girls who share a campfire with a group of Jr. high boys can teach those boys more about women in 2 hours than a lifetime of mothers, sisters, and friends. Jr. high boys will actually sit still and listen to college girls. No other demographic group has that power.
I learned that sometimes, crushes last long past the time it takes for the campfire to burn down, the tents to be packed away, and to hike back out of the wilderness.
I learned that no matter how cool you think you are, you’ll never be as cool as your scoutmaster who lost half his bicep while parachuting deep behind enemy lines in Vietnam. No matter how hard you think your hike has been, it won’t compare to carrying a 50 lb. rucksack and an M-16 through the jungle. And no matter what, unless someone starts shooting at you, you have nothing to complain about.
I learned that latrine duty is no fun. Cleaning duty is no fun. Firewood detail is no fun. But sometimes, we have to do things that are no fun so that we can enjoy doing things that are fun. Work to enjoy the fruits of your labor. It takes time and effort to build a home and keep it up, but after a hard day of hiking, exploring, working on projects, and basically exhausting yourself, there’s no place like home. Even if “home” is a campsite in the middle of the woods, you’ll be thankful that you did the prep work earlier in the day.
Finally, I learned that packing up and heading back to the “real world” is always bittersweet, regardless of the presence or absence of college girls.
Love always,
Jay
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Jay,
I was chuckling at your comment about college girls. That was so funny! (And, well, true!)
All the things you say here are true to in my eyes, too. I’m glad that Lisis suggested you write a post about this – great idea Lisis! I enjoyed it very much. This post also acts as a window to you, Jay.
You are so full of life, so full of energy, and so full of appreciation. I love it that you can see what is important in life, and can see the bounty of gifts at your feet.
Lastly, thanks for another savory post. You are an amazing writer, Jay. Thank you!
Lori´s last blog ..My Friday Shout Out
Jay, this was a great post! I learned a lot from it and I’m so glad you shared your experiences in this post. I particularly liked this line: “And no matter what, unless someone starts shooting at you, you have nothing to complain about.” How true is that?!
Positively Present´s last blog ..the difference between happy and not unhappy
@Lori – Thank *you* for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. That Lisis sure has some good ideas, doesn’t she? I enjoyed writing this, so I’m really glad that you enjoyed reading it!
@Dani – Yep! It’s very true. A lot of our problems don’t seem so significant if we put it in that context, do they? You can almost always say “Well, at least nobody is shooting at me,” and that helps put things in perspective.
Well, you know me… unless I’ve inspired someone to achieve greatness today, my day is not complete.
Awesome post, Jay. I learned a few things from this post:
1. I would NEVER make it as a scout. Period.
2. I now understand Jeff a lot better… he comes real close to living by these principles too.
3. I really should NOT have said the things I said to those Jr. High kids when I was in college. I had no idea they were actually paying attention!
PS: I bet your scoutmaster lost half his bicep trying to repair something in his home that he was just NOT going to pay someone else to do; but what kind of story would that make?
Lisis | Quest For Balance´s last blog ..Adventure: Lessons From Niagara Falls
That brings back memories fellow Life Scout! I can relate to the cool stream in the woods after miles of hiking with a loaded pack. Sure feels good to soak them puppies, let ‘em dry and lace the boots back on. Hey, I think I’ll go exploring tomorrow!
@Lisis – Well, if this is greatness, then I suppose your day is complete. You certainly inspired this post! LOL@ the Jr. high boys. Yeah, if you were talking to them, I promise they were listening. Hanging on every word is more like it.I’m almost scared to ask what you told them. I think I’m happier not knowing, now that I think about it. And re: the scoutmaster. Yep, you’re probably right about that. Or, he was doing something really stupid to try to impress a girl, and it backfired.
@Jeff – Yeah, there’s really no feeling quite like that, is there? Good luck on your explorations tomorrow! Stay away from the deadly animals, like snakes, college girls, etc.
HI Jay,
This was an awesome idea….to write about being a boy scout. Yay Lisis!
I am sure you had fun writing it cause you mustve relived those moments in your head as well.
When i started reading this post and the Boy Scout principles..i thought hey….i can do that….and then you went on to describe the other great outdoorsy adventures you had and learned from..and i thought…No Way….I am good as a simple city gal
Two of my favorite lines form this post:
First one Funny- oh so funny…i actually laughed loud and my little one also laughed looking at me…”I learned that nothing can make a group of boys in Jr. high school bathe faster than the prospect of college girls coming over to share the campfire later that night.”…so freakishly true.
Second one Introspective- “But sometimes, we have to do things that are no fun so that we can enjoy doing things that are fun.”
Loved this post!
Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..What Each Must Seek{Inspirational Quote Of The Week}
Jay,
A great look at what the scout program has meant to you! And great principles that they offer up. I was never in scouts growing up (we didn’t have that organization at our school). However, in more recent times, I have been the cub scout leader for my kid’s group. Interestingly, I’ve just began the process of stepping down from that position. And while I know that Cub Scouts isn’t the same as Boy Scouts, I do think it’s a place for kids to start while they’re younger. Of course, for a third grade boy, the prospect of a college girl visiting doesn’t probably have quite the same effect as it would for a jr. high boy!
Anyway, good to read this as shift perspectives on where I’m at right now…
Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day
Jay, I can just imagine you sitting by the campfire, munching into a nice juicy steak, the flesh between your teeth !! (before anyone gets completely the wrong idea, that was a small private joke between me and Jay).
I was never a scout, but I did spend a couple of years as a cadet in the Royal Air Force. I’ve not thought about that for a long time, probably because I wanted to forget the numerous times I was hauled out the front during drill to demonstrate how NOT to march! I just could not get my timing right no matter how hard I tried. My shoes were very shiny though!
Sounds like the Scouts were way cooler and more fun!
Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..Living in denial – but for how long?
Some very nice values. That takes me back to my youth. I wish I could have been a Girl Scout and learned more about nature (not just cookies). Those Vietnam soldiers really knew what had value and what didn’t. I learned a lot from them myself, though they didn’t cure me of complaining.
Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Lost by Dot
@Zeenat -I’m glad you liked the post. I think your favorite lines were my favorite, too. And you’re right, it really was a lot of fun to re-live these memories while writing about them.
@Lance _ that’s really cool that you were a cub scout leader. I was in Cub scouts, too, before boy scouts. You’re right – it’s a great introduction into that way of life. Not that I want to tell you how to run your life, but i thin it’s a shame that you’re stepping down from that position. I know you are a good cubmaster, and the world needs lots of those!
@Ian – LOL! See? As soon as people realize that I’m nothing but a blood-thirsty caveman with absolutely zero redeeming qualities, and there’s nothing anybody can do or say to change me, we all get along just fine!
On a slightly more serious note, there’s no way that scouts could be cooler than the RAF!!!! That’s really awesome!
@Dot – I think that soldiers in general learn a lot about value, and values. At least the good ones do. Something to be said for discipline, when applied in the right way. I think you and I both had too much of discipline applied the wrong way. It takes a good, strong authority figure to overcome that. I’m glad that you had some people to help.
Jay – this was highly entertaining, and poignant too! The Scouts have gotten some bad press the last decade, thanks for reminding us of what they really represent, and the values we could all do better at emulating. And does grape jelly in eggs really turn them green??? Who knew??
Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..LOVE- The Story of a Life, of Any Life
Oh Jay, you’re so much fun to read! My brothers were both cub scouts – not sure if they went on to be boy scouts. I remember they had to make a hot dog cooker once using tinfoil, some wood, and the sun. I always thought that was cool. Well, that and the race car derby they had each year!
I found myself laughing at the same point Zeenat did, and the line that stuck in my mind was about not complaining. I sometimes need to remind myself that anything I think is tough in my life is infinitely easier than what others have had to go through. I can’t imagine having lived through Vietnam.
I’ll end by asking this: do you have any pictures of a young Jay donning his blue scouts uniform? And if so, how could you hold back?!!
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..Our Saviors (Quote from Richard Bach)
@Lisa – Yep, grape jelly turns scrambled eggs green. Scout’s honor!
@Megan – lol, the cub scout uniforms are blue, the boy scout uniforms are khaki and green. I don’t have one here, in my apartment, or on my computer, but there is one in the hallway of my parents’ house. Next time I’m over there, maybe I’ll take it down and scan it. Fair warning: I was impossibly handsome as a kid, and the uniform is almost too much!
Jay,
My sister had her son in Boy Scouts and then Eagle Souts and Nick got a full ride scholarship to Notre Dame. He’s some kind of engineer and quickly found the job of his dreams all because he had that Eagle Scout thing on his resume due to someone reading it who was an Eagle Scout as well.
My grandson is in Boy Scouts and my daughter has the same plan for him. He is in 7th grade and does NOT want to go. After reading this post I understand my duaghters push. Because no matter what job you get or where you end up in life it’s a wonderful plan filled with life long lessons.
My sister said that when Nick was a Freshman in high school and he didn’t want to go to an even she chased him around the outside of the house until she caught him and dragged him to the car.
I call that a mother on a mission!
Hi Jay,
I was a Girl Scout and it was no where near as cool as your experience. I am happy that you had such a wonderful time and learned so much. By the way, the line about the college girls made me laugh. The joys of teenage hormones and young love.
One part of the post that I thought was really touching was how you wrote about the Vietnam vet that was your scoutmaster. When I was in college, my philosophy teacher was a Vietnam vet and he would tell us stories from the war. Those stories were always so powerful and made me put everything in perspective.
Nadia – Happy Lotus´s last blog ..Sunday Song for September 6, 2009
Hi Jay
Thanks for sharing your experiences about life as a boy scout. I was in the scout’s program for about a year a half of my life in grade 6. It was a forced venture, so I wasn’t too keen or open to it and hence didn’t get out of it nearly half as much as you did.
Definitely taught me one huge thing though, not to force any future kids I have, to participate in anything that they really don’t resonate with, or simply want to
Evita´s last blog ..Akashic Record Reading With Akemi Gaines
@Tess – yes, the Eagle Scout thing on a resume is quite powerful. I never made it that far, but I wish that I had stuck with it long enough. It really is a sign of character and values that are rare in the world.
@Nadia – Yeah, he always put things into perspective for us. He was strong, but gentle and kind, too. He really was an amazing man. I’m also glad that you liked the teenage hormone part
@Evita – Yes, that’s very true. if something is forced, it won’t be any fun, and whatever “learning” occurs won’t be retained. The key to making everything stick was how much fun it was. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I quit before I made it to Eagle: It stopped being fun.
Oh Jay, what fun!!! Great post and thanks for the laughs today! By the way, your reference to your good looking days? They are SO not over, honey!
I married an Eagle Scout. And you don’t take the scout of them either! We went camping on our honeymoon. Yes. Me. Miss Hilton Hotel with the spa bathroom! It was a learning experience. No need for a curling iron, forget my manicured nails, and thank goodness I got a brief tutorial on what leaves to wipe with! The perfume and deodorant were useless too since I only seemed to wear eau de campfire!
Well, alas, we purchased a lake house near the very spot we camped at years ago. I admit I prefer the house to the tent – big surprise, eh?
The scout rules should be taught in schools to all kids, don’t you think? And how about a refresher course on those in college? The scout-type camaderie and team work/friendship could change the corporate world – an ethical make-over!
Great post Jay!
suzen´s last blog ..The Look
@Suzen – Yes, I think teaching the scout rules to kids in school is a great idea, as is teaching them to corporations. An ethical make-over is just what the doctor ordered, I think!
And thank you for the note about my “good looking days.” You made my day, that’s for sure!
Thanks Jay — it doesn’t surprise me to learn that you were a Boy Scout. I can definitely get how much you value honor and loyalty from your writings. Do you work with kids in some way today?
@Chris – No, I don’t work with kids. I actually work at CDC as a technical writer/editor. I’ve never really thought about working with kids, although it might be something I would enjoy. Thanks for planting that seed!