How many times I hear this statement. For some of us older folks, they DID teach “that” in school. But now teachers have a set of standards for every grade and subject that they must squeeze into an often-too-short school year with dozens of other priorities pulling at kids’ and parents’ attention.
So – how do you expose your children to “That”? Some super parents manage to do it all on their own. The rest of us could use a little help. That’s where one of the oldest youth organizations in the country comes into play. Sapulpa’s first Boy Scout Troop 224 began in 1922. For 102 years they have been helping boys become productive citizens in our community.
Community leaders like Brian Bingman (Current Oklahoma State Corporation Commissioner, former Oklahoma State Senator, House of Representative & numerous other public service positions) Mike Tyler (former Oklahoma State House of Representatives), Bart Bartlett, Trey Bartlett, and City Councilor Richard Hudson all earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 224. Many of our nation’s leaders were Eagle Scouts as well. Do a quick Google search of famous Eagle Scouts and you’ll find Neil Armstrong, Gerald Ford, Bill Gates, Mike Rowe and many, many more who’ve made our world a better place.
Unlike many extracurricular activities, you can join Scouting at any time. Troop 224 (boys 6th grade-18) and Pack 504 (families Kg-5th grade) both meet at First Church Sapulpa (Formerly 1st Presbyterian) at 111 South Oak on Mondays at 7pm. Or you can find a unit near you at beascout.org.
Cub Scouts, Kindergarten-5th grade learn hiking, nature, science, citizenship, first aid, sports. Character & Leadership, Outdoors, Personal Fitness, Citizenship, Personal Safety, and Family & Reverence are reinforced at each grade level for Cubs. So every year they are learning these concepts in an age-appropriate format.
Scouts, boys and girls grades 6-age 18 continue to expand on the basic concepts from Cubs. They get more freedom and more responsibilities with age. They learn leadership & independence. Scouting is a safe place to fail. They learn and implement cooking skills, from making a budget and menu to buying the groceries, gathering the equipment, and cooking the meal. If something goes wrong, they have to figure out a plan B which can be very interesting when on a campout and not in mom’s kitchen. Leaders are always present and ensure kids are safe, but the Troops are always youth-led. The adults are there to guide.
In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout a youth must earn 21 merit badges, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in Society, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Cooking, Personal Fitness, Family Life, Personal Management, Camping, Environmental Science or Sustainability, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling, and Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving. Merit badges also allow career exploration that delves deep into requirements and exposes kids to careers they may have never dreamed of. Many of those great leaders mentioned above got their first public speaking and leadership experience in front of their Scout Troop.
Scouting is a FAMILY activity, something that is happening more & more is grandparents bringing their grandkids to Scouts. It’s a great bonding opportunity for the grandparents and gives the parents a much-needed break.
Scouting is a little different today, but the basics of the Scout Law & Scout Oath are still the center of everything being taught to today’s youth. Every unit begins its meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, The Scout Law & The Scout Oath.
The basic unit types now are:
- Cub Family Pack – grades k-5 boys & girls & families. Adult guardians are required to attend meetings and tent with their children on campouts. The whole family is welcome to attend campouts making it much easier for families of multiples to participate.
- Boy Troop – this is what you’ve always known as Boy Scouts. Boys grades 6-age 18.
- Girl Troop – Girls grades 6-age 18.
- Venture Crew – Boys & Girls ages 14-21 with both male & female leaders.
Rules to keep kids & adults safe
- No one-on-one contact between adult & youth
- All adults who camp with youth 6th grade-18 must be registered and back ground checked annually
- Boy Troops & Girl Troops are separate. They DO NOT camp together. They may work together on projects & badges, but their meetings are separate as well.
There seems to be a lot of urban legend going around about Boy Scouts of America these days. Yes, it’s name has changed. It is now Scouts BSA and in February will become Scouting America. This is a reflection of the reality of those who participate in Scouting. Venture Crews have been around since 1998, so girls are not a new thing. This mama of 2 Eagle Scouts was a little leery of allowing girls to earn the rank until I saw girls doing the same work, earning the same badges, but being denied the rank of Eagle simply because of their gender.
If you’re looking for someone to help teach “That” Scouting is the place. To find a unit near you go to beascout.org. There’s an easy locator to help you find the unit that fits your family, as well as more details about the Scouts BSA (soon-to-be Scouting America) organization and how they help build tomorrow’s leaders.
Feel free to reach out to leaders with any questions!
