Doing a good turn daily

The Scout Slogan is to do a good turn daily. Helpful is the third point of the Scout Law. The Scout Oath calls on Scouts to help other people at all times. Doing community service and giving back to the community is integral to the Scouting program. All of the ranks that our Scouts earn have an aspect of service to others included in their earning. When a Scout is working towards the Eagle Scout Rank, there is a required leadership service project to earn this prestigious distinction. This service project is unique since it has to be done for the community, not for Scouting or at a Scout camp. In addition, the only tool the Scout should be using ideally is a pencil. The Eagle Candidate is to provide leadership and guidance as the overall project manager. That is why this requirement is called the Eagle Scout Leadership Service project. Many of these Eagle Scout projects take hundreds of volunteer hours to complete and undergo a formal approval process and final review. This, along with earning 21 merit badges and providing peer leadership to the Scouts troop, must be completed before the Scout's 18th birthday if they are to become an Eagle Scout. I know no other award that you earn as a youth, that you will find on an individual's resume as an adult 20 years later. Scouting has always been providing service to the community, not only through Eagle projects. Starting during World War 1, Scouts started victory gardens and promoted war bonds. During World War II, Scouts participated in campaigns to encourage people to recycle scraps of metal, rubber and rags for military surplus. More recently, our Scouts have annually participated in our Scouting for Food Drive. Many of our Cub Scout Packs and Scouts BSA Troops will be putting up outdoor hangers to announce the food collection for this year. Annually, thousands of pounds of food is collected to support the local food pantries to help those in need. Just like when a Scout troop leaves a camp site, they leave it better than the way they found it. Scouting's mission is that of preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Making our communities better is part of the impact that Scouting provides. To an outsider, Scouting might appear to just be a bunch of kids racing pinewood derby cars or camping on weekends, those activities along with community service are part of the game, with a purpose that makes up the Scouting experience. Scouting teaches with that game, character development, leadership development, citizenship training and personal fitness. Helping all other people at all times is part of that game to make today's youth prepared for life. To get involved in Scouting or learn more about the Black Swamp Area Council, visit www.BlackSwampBSA.org. Kogan is Scout Executive of Black Swamp Area Council, which includes 13 counties in northwest Ohio.