Anyone start out in Boy Scouts?

[mbliss57]

We had a great troop and did tons of wilderness stuff in Boy Scouts in late 1960s-early 1970s. We had Monthly camp outs 12 months a year rain, snow or heat. I learned a lot about leadership and how to get along " off the grid" back then. Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico happened at 15 years old.
A destination I looked forward to for years. It was everything the hype said it was. Tough and rugged 10 days of wilderness hiking and camping.
I have kept and used the orienteering skills both in the Army and in civilian life. It taught me to never be afraid to be alone in the wilderness. Of course as an adult I can also feel safer with a sidearm or rifle with me. A few of the hundreds of neckerchiefs, patches and slides I accumulated back then.
Edit: We just moved back from England.. moving into a new place in Ohio.. I came across a box full of the "stuff' we collected back then. Hence the post.. I was a life Scout.
I'm sure many here had similar experiences?

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[max]

I think I started in 59. My dad was the Scoutmaster for over 30 years. He and his assistants were all WWII vets. I had several guys tell me in the 60's that he taught them more about the Army than Basic Training.

Since others are mentioning, I got my Eagle in 63 and attended the National Jamboree in 64. My dad was chosen by the council to be the SM of that trip also.

 

[Old TexMex]

Cub scout Wolf den!
Then,
Troop 29, Panther patrol. '65 on.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I had a wonderful BSA experience. Eagle Scout, pack and troop leader at all levels, District Award of Merit, Wood Badge staff (I used to be a Bear), son is an Eagle Scout. Sadly, the organization I knew no longer exists . . .

 

[ColbyBruce]

That one mile swim card made me smile. I spent a week in July of 2001 paddling a canoe next to young men as they did their one mile swim. The first day nearly killed me. I had the kids haul the canoes out of the water and wash the gunk off them, then we did a fast Turtle wax job to the bottom and sides with a mop stuck in a pillow case. It made a huge difference paddling them.

Now-a-days, if I am fly fishing I am usually in sight of one or two of those same young men. BSA builds life long friendships too.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I was in Cub Scouts, Webelos, and Explorer Scouts. We canoed and portaged 125 miles through the Canadian wilderness and hiked 38 miles through the Colorado mountains, that included fishing, and camping along the way, of course. My parents had to scrape to get the money to send me, but they knew long before I did that I would be making memories for a lifetime. Thanks Mom and Dad!

 

[cballman]

Was a scout in the mid 70s. Eagle scout Nov 1977. Son started cub scouts in late 90s. crossed over to Boy scouts in 2001. Eagle scout in either 2007 or 2008. Daughter tagged along with us. Earned the highest ranger award. Both kids worked at summer camp. Son was a Waterfront directer. Daughter IS the Waterfront director. To many more things scouting to type. I became a Assistant Scoutmaster in either 2001 or 2002 Havent left yet. Been to summer camp with my troop since 2002. They tell me I am a Legend.

 

[Racer X]

yes. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and then Sea Scouts. Ended up as Skipper of my Sea Scout ship on my 21st birthday, becoming the youngest skipper in the country for a few years. Had a blast.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I got kicked out of the Boy Scouts cause I spoke my mind! The scoutmaster was a jerk. He had two sons who were both Eagle scouts who had no skills at all! The older one was a bully and his younger brother was one of the older brothers main victims!

 

[hoc9sw]

I used to be a Bear

and a good old Bear too!

Somewhere there is a footlocker full of patches.

Yup, I was a Bear in WB as well.

Cub about 58, I think? Eagle, two Jamborees (69 & 77), five trips to Philmont from crew to leader to advisor.
Scouter Training Award, OA, Asst Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Council Committees.

Even did a bit of volunteering with Scouts in Italy, Czech Republic, and Venezuela during assignments there
.

And I'm out now, since it is no longer ....

 

[rockquarry]

I made Eagle in '63. Spent three years on the Philmont summer staff, '66, '67, and '68. Adult Scouter in Circle Ten Council in Dallas about twenty-five or so years ago.

I'm active in the Philmont Staff Association and have been on two summer treks in the last five years. One more this summer, but, at age 70, it may be my last. I've done the Philmont Sportsman Adventure (elk hunt) the last two falls. Hunted elk many places, but Philmont's the best.

I'm still a counselor for the Journalism merit badge, but, as you might guess, I don't get many calls.

 

[H Richard]

I was in scouts for about 3 years, made 1st class if I remember correctly. Did a lot of camp outs, coking over an open fire, etc. Still have a medal for winning the Archery competition at summer camp in about 1954. Always liked shooting something. My son went the same route and even did a border waters with Canada canoe trip for about a week camping out. Only thing I don't like about the outdoors still is Tick's.

 

[Univibe]

First shot out of a firearm was a single shot .22 rifle at boy scout camp. For a quarter you could get several shots.

 

[Robspeire]

Cub Scout & Boy Scouts. I went to Boy Scout summer camp. Went to Camp Waubeeka in Copake, NY. for 3 summers. Got a Mile Swim Patch there.

 

[Rudi]

The motto,"be prepared", serves us well still.

 

[Mack_C85]

I was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout to Star Rank, then Sea Scouts. Left Scouts when I turned 16 and joined the Vol. Fire Service.

Wife and I were Leaders with my son from a Tiger Scout to, as of Sept. 11 2018, an Eagle Scout. He is now an Asst. Scoutmaster with his Troop.

I'm still a Merit Badge Counselor for Rifle and Shotgun Merit Badges.

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[Capt Steve]

Oh the memories...

Love this thread, did the Cub Scout, Weblos and Boy Scout sequence in the early 60's. Got my mile swim card at eleven and my Camelback {30 mile hike} at 12. A couple of weeks ago my bride emerged from the garage with my original Boy Scout Manual, talk about a lot of memories...

Never made Eagle but did make Life, gave up scouts when I had to get a job at age 14 but always regretted not completing my Eagle journey... sigh. The many lessons learned in scouting have served me well throughout my life and at 67 I treasure my time spent in the BSA.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I was in Cub Scouts and Webelos, but our bunch never seemed to do anything fun, so I got bored and quit. I had more fun in Indian Guides. Got to go on camp outs, build the totem pole, shoot arrows, make "Indian" handicrafts, etc. Lots of fun. Every year we went on a camp out. I thought we were way out in the middle of nowhere. Turns out it was the local gun club range. It was fun anyway.

 

[JohnRippert]

Cub Scouts and then Boy Scouts, late '60s to early '70s.

 

[galena]

Joined Scouts in 1955, made Eagle in 1962. Was a "Lone Scout" for a period after our troop folded, got to meet a bunch of guys from near by towns doing things with their troops. Did a special Philmont trip for older Scouts in the fall after they closed for the winter. I made Eagle in the Rocky Mountain Council, my Son made Eagle in 1985 in the Far East Council, Okinawa, Japan. He is now an Army 0-6. My Grandson made Eagle in the Rocky Mountain Council last year and has accumulated several Eagle Palms. My Scout Master probably was the reason I never went to Reform School. Scouting was a great program, not sure where it is going today, I hope it finds a way to continue and carry the teachings into the future.