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I Never Made Eagle Scout
Elberon, NJ April 27, 2000 Aaron H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.
I NEVER MADE EAGLE SCOUT
I never made Eagle Scout but I did make "Life" and this troubles me. As
for Eagle, I didn't have the means or the imagination to pass book binding,
bird study and other esoteric (to me) requirements and remained at the Life
rank. I really wanted that Eagle Badge. My present day concern over
scouting is its fight to limit its membership. It restricts its membership.
I was lucky. I entered scouting at a time when democracy was being
threatened by totalitarian regimes. Here in America we proved our
superiority over the Brown and Black Shirted uniformed youth groups by our
khaki shirted wholesome and non-violent uniformed "boy" scout group.
Nationalized scouts overseas indoctrinated boys into the totalitarian
fascist and nazi philosophies. Our scouts touted democracy, open-ness and
outdoors activities. We didn't squeal on our neighbors and parents because
they questioned the party line. We hiked, sang songs, learned canoeing and
how to build shelters like our model, the American Indian.
But, somewhere along the line I found that the organization I gave my
pledge to was less than I thought. I had been a "boy" Scout, a Sea Scout,
and a Cubmaster. But I found that the scouts had departed from the
inclusiveness of its origin with Dan Beard and other early exponents of the
outdoor life. Now you needed to have a father who could participate with
you to become a scout. Kids who had no father at home (for whatever reason)
could not join. In my youth there were those who could not afford uniforms
but they could tie a handkerchief around their necks and go scouting.
The girls had Brownies and Girl Scouts and were eventually integrated with
the Boys (I think! Anybody know how this worked out?). Now the problem is
with "Gays" and it is about "morality" not about skill at outdoors crafts.
Once there were separate scout troops because there were Catholic Scouts,
Jewish Scouts and Black Scouts. The push in MY DAY was to integrate all
scouts because we were the "democratic" ones.
Carol's Evaluation: out of 10
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