Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The lesser-known doctrine of Scouting.

There are many components of the Scouting doctrine: The Motto, Slogan, Oath and Law all come easily to mind.  These help us to remember how to best conduct ourselves as Scouts and are a reflection of the values of Scouting to the community in which we live.  It is interesting to note, however, that none of these deal specifically with how to behave while hiking, camping or while on an outing.  This is especially odd considering that a good amount of time in Scouting is spent doing outdoor activities.  Thankfully though, we have the Outdoor Code to remind us all how we can help maintain and preserve the special environments and natural spaces in which we practice our Scouting skills.  Take this opportunity to familiarize (or reacquaint) yourself with the Outdoor Code and think about how you can make the outdoors better through good stewardship of the natural resources and consideration for the person that follows you on the trail.