A Manual for life (Boy Scout Handbook)

[porsche4life]

I know there are a few scouts on here, check this article out!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/books/review/a-manual-for-life.html?module&_r=2

An interesting article about a book that had a pretty profound impact on my life, even if I didn't realize it at the time. I think back today and I realize how important scouting has been in my life. I may not use the skills I learned every day, but scouting taught me to expand my thinking, try new things, and to be a good person. I actually have a copy of the book from the '40s. It was a gift from my parents one year for Christmas. The language used in it is definitely dated, and many of the badge names have changed, but the overall message still applies, and it still makes a pretty good guide for life.

[Nostril Cheese]

I always have a copy around.

I often regret not making Eagle Scout. Made it as far as Star Scout and lost interest.

[creaturecat]

Our Scoutmaster was a pedophile.
James R Pollock was his name.

[Brian 162]

I still have my scouting handbook from 1971 stashed away.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Brian 162

I still have my scouting handbook from 1971 stashed away.

Yup, still have mine too, actually two copies. I use it every now and then. Plan on passing it on to the G-sons.

[MT930]

Always a good read.

I have a mint 1964 copy in a plastic bag that I should sell.

My Issued 1978 copy has the covers worn off.

Be prepared !

[porsche4life]

Mt if you are serious about selling, please drop me a pm. I'd be interested

[Hugh R]

Only made it to 1st Class, but it sure prepared me for boot camp with the USMC.

[Nathans_Dad]

Eagle Scout here and current Assistant Scoutmaster for my son's troop. He's 12 and currently a First Class Scout.

[masraum]

I know for sure that I made it to Star. I think I may have made it to Life. I wish I had stayed in. We moved and the new troop just wasn't the same. Good stuff. Several of the guys that I work with have kids in the boy and girl scouts, and I occasionally see boy scouts out and about. I always think it's a great thing when I see them around. It's a good thing for kids. I'm really glad that I was a scout.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

Our Scoutmaster was a pedophile.
James R Pollock was his name.

That's really horrible.

[Gooch1971]

I couldn't be happier with my son's Troop. He'll be 1st Class very soon and was recently put into his permanent patrol (Honey Badgers). He has aspirations to achieve Eagle so as an incentive, I made him a gmail account the starts "Eagle2b..."

Every Eagle Scout has put in a massive amount of effort and time but they likely only got there with the support of family or a mentor. I've certainly learned a lot since he started as a Tiger in 1st grade.

[mjohnson]

I got to Life - then a big car wreck and many weeks off of my 12th grade put the whole graduation thing ahead of scouts.

Our troop was very "midwest USA". We did lots of car-campouts and I guarantee nobody there, of any age, had done or will have done Philmont. Still we were Boy Scouts.

The promotion process that we had in place was awesome. I'd say that it exceeds what I see today in industry. We aimed for and achieved self awareness - the open willingness to admit to and discuss problems and to contribute solutions.

Looking back on those teenagers - I'm proud to have done that.

We have one, and only one, kid now. She's 18mo. I really want her to have scouts in her life.

[5String43]

I've still got my Scout handbook from probably '55, '56 stored out in the garage. My dad's, from probably '28 or so, is out there as well. (Also have his old Scout uniform. Haven't had the heart to toss it out.) Oh, and this - I didn't go very far in Scouting as being packed off to boarding school intervened more than a little. But my eldest son was/is an Eagle.

[GH85Carrera]

I was having fun and loved being a scout. Then we moved yet again. That was when my dad went to Korea for 1.5 years. Scouting just fell away with no buddies that were scouts. All my new friends were not into that at all. We moved again when my dad finished that TDY.

[Soterik]

My old Scout Book is in a bookcase next to my desk.

I made it to Life.. as others have mentioned, I wish I had Eagle'd.

Currently an asst. SM, was a Scout Master. Have one son who is an Eagle with 2 trips to Philmont, a 16yo who is currently Life and should Eagle in 2015. Philmont is planned this summer for he and I (I hope I can do it...)

Cheers to the other scouts here!!

[creaturecat]

Originally Posted by masraum

That's really horrible.

Re: scoutmaster pedophile.
He was our grade 6 teacher as well.
He used to hang young boys by their belts, on the coat hangers, facing outward.
Then he would give their packages a good feel.

Thankfully, I never had to spend a night in a tent with him..........

[Baz]

Congrats to all dad's who posted with kids in scouting!

My 2 brothers and I were all in scouts starting with Webelos on up. I made First Class before we moved down to Florida and the local troop wasn't that well organized so i transitioned into DeMolay instead. But I still have my handbook and uniform even.

Remember going to JC Pennys for your gear?

Thanks for the link, Sid - will read it later.

Yes indeed......"Be Prepared!"

(and no jokes this time Herr Oberst about the lengthy knife lanyard! )

[gshase]

POOR Baz....Coming from an Eagle Scout and an Order of the Arrow member here, What a sweet ride, a Schwinn stingray and a great looking car in the back ground. What year is that car?

[Scuba Steve]

I have a reproduction of the 1st edition that was probably bought while at Philmont. It's a cool book full of all kinds of long-forgotten skills. How to build a log cabin, stop a mad dog and start (with a crank) a car are a few in there that I remember.