Boy scouts: An organization packed with history in need of Warren support

  • Published
  • By Lori Cardinal
  • Warren's Youth Center
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  This month, the Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 98 years of existence. The organization began in England by a man named Robert Baden-Powell.

As a youth, Baden-Powell enjoyed the outdoors, learning about nature and how to live in the wilderness. After returning as a military hero from service in Africa, Baden-Powell discovered that English boys were reading the manual about stalking and survival in the wilderness that he had written for British soldiers.

He then brought together 22 children to a camp at Brownsea Island, off the coast of England, to test whether his book had helped the children with their outdoor skills. This historic event was a success and resulted in the advent of scouting.

In 1909, American visitor William Boyce lost his way in a dense fog in London. He paused beneath a street lamp to ponder his predicament. A boy approached him and asked if he could help.

Mr. Boyce told the boy that he wanted to find a certain business office in the center of the city.

"I'll take you there," the boy said.

When they arrived at the destination, Mr. Boyce reached into his pocket for a tip, but the boy stopped him.

"No thank you, sir. I am a Scout. I won't take anything for helping." He explained to Mr. Boyce what a scout was.

Boyce became very interested, and after finishing his errand, asked the boy to take him to the British Scouting Office.

At the office, Mr. Boyce met Lord Baden-Powell. He was so impressed with what he learned that he decided to bring scouting to America with him. Feb. 8, 1910, Mr. Boyce and a group of leaders founded the Boy Scouts of America.

It took a few years for scouting to make its way west across the United States. As the military presence grew in World War II, the need for a place the active-duty children to "hang out" also arose.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built a youth center on Warren in 1939. Soon after, it was used as the scout hut. The scout hut is the only log structure on the base and is still in use today.

The Boy Scout organization emphasizes values like citizenship, integrity, teamwork and faith. Boys are able to work within a group that promotes service as well as camping and skill building.

As competition becomes greater and greater for entrance into college, scouting actually puts a young man a notch above others. Being an Eagle Scout shows admission officials a level of commitment and knowledge that many other candidates do not possess.

Warren's Cub Scout Pack 108 meets monthly, usually the third Thursday, with den activities held weekly. Boys in grades 1 through 5 are welcome to join anytime of the year.

Boys 6th grade through 12th grade are able to be a part of Boy Scout Troop 108. They meet every Wednesday evening.

Warren's scout groups always need volunteers to step in. This summer will see much of the Cub Scout leadership moving to new assignments.

Whether you have boys involved in scouting or not, if you enjoy helping shape young boys into the leaders of tomorrow, you are needed.

For more information call the youth center at 773-2564.

(Editor's note: Information was compiled from different scout handbooks and Web sites.)