Scouting as a way of life

Over the last 40 years, I've learned the value of Scouting (Boy Scouts, specifically) and how it can work in your life. In the past year, I have seen a reference to "imagine if everyone lived by the Boy Scout Law" a few times, and have thought of it often.

Indeed, what kind of country would we live in if everyone practiced these 12 simple ideas?

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Big ideas, yet simple ideas.

As the Boy Scouts of America approaches the 100th anniversary year, it seems like a good time to reflect on those values, on the practical applications of them, and on the general state of Scouting in America.

There is a lot of good news out there to be shared, and some not so good, that deserves to have light cast into the shadows. There are a lot of good folks out there helping to prepare new generations of boys to be real men.