Africa
Peter Van Houten (peterva@QM.WV.TEK.COM)
Wed, 2 Nov 1994 07:29:44 -0800
Hello friends ... There has been some fairly heated discussions lately on =
the net (e.g. Troop 18, Gays, splitting the group up, etc.) and I'd just =
like to share a bit of my experience with Harold, Borne and Steven on the =
issue of scouting.
We had a great time together, their unquencing curiousity certainly kept =
me busy. They had the chance for a couple of firsts -- their first E-Mail =
experience, their first time roller-skating (yes they took many falls). =
Their first discussion of what Scouting is. This was also a first for me. =
We have many international scouters on the net and many of the same =
ideals are shared. But attempt to describe scouting to someone like =
Steven: Let's see . . .
Scouting teaches citizenship -- Hard to describe to a person who has been =
oppressed by his
government.
Scouting teaches outdoor skills -- Here's someone who has lived in the =
bush of Africa by himself
at the age of 9.
The uniform -- Here's someone who fears anyone in uniform which brings =
memories of the
military.
I tried to describe things like den meetings, pack meetings, crafts, etc. =
and quickly came to the descovery that while it may apply to us in our =
everyday life it is just not the same to a totally different culture. I =
told Steven about Baden-Powell and his experiences in Africa and the Zulu =
warriors. Yes he knew of the Zulu warriors and even knew a bit about the =
Boer war.
At one point I thought he was beginning to understand when he said with =
confidence, 'Oh you're a SCOUT.' 'Scout' from the true meaning of =
B-P's aids to scouting...one who goes out and gathers information =
returning to the village with it. In many cases this is true. We are =
gathering information and returning to our homes, packs, troops with it =
and applying that information.
Talking with Steven shed some new insight into what we have. And I'd like =
to make a plea...let us not receed unto ourselves and become localized. =
The greator benefit of a medium such as Scouts-L is that we can, using =
modern technology, experience the differences of each other, the different =
viewpoints, the different cultures, and hopefully become more aware, have =
a better understanding of each other, and become better people...better =
scouters because of it!
Extending my electronic hand in world friendhsip . . .
Peter Van Houten
Worldwide Brotherhood of Scouting
Peter Van Houten / E-Mail: =
peter_van_houten.techsupport@qm.wv.tek.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
