I learned outdoorsmanship from my relatively short time in the Boy Scouts of America. My time was cut short when I left the country, but the memories of hiking, camping, and learning skills linger with me to this day. Strangely, other interests led me to be a city dweller, and I let these outdoor skills atrophy for many years.
I have fond memories of reading The Official Boy Scout Handbook, an illustrated, wide-ranging manual given to scouts. From camping to swimming, knot-tying to first-aid, from life-skills to good citizenship, this book has something on everything. My copy - doodled on, falling apart and fixed with masking tape, water-stained, and dog-eared beyond any other book I own- didn’t look like it would be a safe choice to re-read.
My new to me reprint beside my original, well-loved copy of the Boy Scout Handbook.
I found a replacement reading copy on eBay recently for a very affordable price. And, I’ve started reading through the book yet again. I have resources that cover many of the topics in this Handbook, but the ease of reading, as it was designed for teenage boys, yet the breadth of each subject is super refreshing. It’s hardly Nessmuk, but it’s a refreshing read, even if dated.
I hadn't thought about my time in scouting until I rediscovered my old Handbook tucked into a corner of a bookshelf. Opening it and finding records of some of my hikes took me back many years. I regret not pursuing Scouting in the other countries I lived in after leaving the States. Reading through the “program” again reminded me what a well-rounded person a scout would be if they had grown up following the Boy Scout tenets. The oath, for example:
On my honour, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
My next thought is, why isn’t there a group like this for grown-ups? Getting outdoors and keeping physically strong, pursuing higher thoughts, and living with good morals through a close network of like-minded people. I’d sign up in a hurry.