Re: "Charter Name Scout" question

Mike:

First I say, Congratulations and job well done to "Charter Name Scout".
Scout or not, what a brave thing to do!

What you are talking about here is that the life of a child may have been
saved and another life was definitely put in danger. Does that call for an
award? You bet! If I were the parent of the child saved, I would check
with where ever I could to get him recognition for the bravery he showed.
We are always hearing about the "dumb" things teenagers are doing, let's
here about and reward actions like this.

As far as an award through Scouting, when we read about awards and medals
being given to Scouts for acts of bravery, we like to think he acted in this
way because he is a scout. Because of the training he has received through
the scouting program. But think about it, what about the tigers or Wolfs or
Bears who perform acts of bravery, have they been in the program long enough
to have received the foundations for these types of acts? Maybe. What
about the adult who is certified in CPR , and then when faced with a
situation of actually having to use these skills, unless we are in the
medical field, do we have the guts to save that life or do some draw a
blank, no matter how much training received.
I have witnessed it both ways. It is scary and when all is said and done,
unbelievable.

You say this scout has been registered since his 12th birthday and only in
the last two years has he not been active. What about the years in between
12 and 15.5 years old? Was he active then? I know it is good PR for BSA
and his local Council and I am sure you are not suggesting to give this
scout an award based on that reasoning.

I don't know this Scout personally so I don't know the kind of personality
he has towards other people/scouts, but the fact that he made the decision
to put his own life in danger to help another says that he is truly a
special individual that I think his Scoutmaster, council, troop, town,
school, family, etc... are all very proud of and will all be telling the
story of this scout with pride that they know such an individual.

He is a registered scout and whether he would have acted the same way had he
been a scout or not, we don't know. Maybe it was any little or number of
experiences in the scouting program that gave him the confidence to do what
he did. Maybe it was one of those issues in Boy's LIfe of Heroism that
stuck with him. He may not be "active" but he has kept himself registered
which says the program does mean something to him. But then to have those
in the program say, yes you performed a fantastic selfless act that truly
demonstrates the giving of a scout that we hope we have instilled in all
scouts we teach, but--------since you have not been active in our program,
we will just pat you on the back.
Private ceremony says you are proud, but BSA isn't, according to their
standards of what a hero is. Give him the public ceremony with all the
bells and whistles and balloons and streamers. He deserves it. And I
disagree that this sends the wrong message to the other scouts. But I think
it needs to be discussed with them if they are feeling confused about what
constitutes you being named a scout. If a boy learned a skill in Scouting
and later dropped out of the program due to other responsibilities, later
saves a life and when interviewed about his actions credits the scouting
program, you better believe it that BSA would gladly except the credit for
it, as well they should and with pride to have had an effect on a boys life
to have given him the skills to act as he did. Let this boy know that BSA
considers him a hero as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see this boy back
in the program as an adult. Scouting has a way of always being a part of
you know matter what degree you participate in it.
Hope this helps.
Laureen De.
Knox Trail Council

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