The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Boy Scouts

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  • Lyle Young

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Discussion

February 6, 2010

Scouting principles remain

I developed a desire to become a professional Scouter while I was in high school. My experiences as a Boy Scout and the relationships I had with my adult Scout leaders were very influential in my decision concerning a future career choice. I continued to have this interest until my second year in college when I decided to earn an education degree so I could become a teacher. The characteristics and responsibilities of the two professions are very similar so I know I would have been happy in either career.

Of the many activities and achievements I experienced as a Boy Scout, there are three that are most memorable.  First, in July 1953, I attended the Boy Scout National Jamboree at Irvine Ranch in California. What an experience for a 13-year-old boy from a small town in west Texas!

Second, after becoming a certified Boy Scout lifeguard, I had the pleasure of serving as a lifeguard and swim instructor at Boy Scout Camp Sol Mayer near Menard, Texas. There was no pool at the camp in those days, so we swam in the San Saba River. This experience certainly taught me to be a very responsible, attentive and careful individual.

Finally, the most important accomplishment while a member of the Boy Scouts was to become an Eagle Scout. I don’t remember the name of the speaker at my Court of Honor when I was presented with my Eagle award, but I still remember what he said. To paraphrase his major point, he told us the Scouting awards and badges we had received up to that point had been about activities we had completed, but the Eagle award is more about the person whom each of us had become. Since that time, I have tried to live my life by following the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

These principles learned while a Boy Scout have remained with me and are as much a guiding light today as they were then.



Lyle Young, Enid

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