What National should really be looking at!
James D Wellborn 325 795 2010 (WELLBOJ@MAIL.FIRN.EDU)
Mon, 9 Feb 1998 12:39:46 -0500
I have to agree with Stan. My son recently looked at some of a variety of
required Eagle MB's and remarked that "we've done that in school so it
should be no problem"...
Ok, some most people won't need to build a monkey bridge to cross the
street ... but it's the planning, the team work, the argue-discuss until we
realize we're saying similar things to get to the same place...
and OK, not AS many of us live in an area that comes close to the
definition of rural (which might be even more the reason to go the
Pioneering, Orienteering, Wilderness Survival route of Eagle MB's... a sad
and cruel picture of a family thankful that a Scout showed them how to make
a cardboard shelter and keep warm in the ally by a safer fire and how to
make a stove of a caffee can).
At THE FINEST Scout Sunday recognition I've EVER attended, all of our
groups expressed their focus on outdoor skills. Having gone the Scout and
Explorer High Adventure route before someone thought of calling it that
(maybe) the beauty of the trail was the icing on the cake. The real
"wouldn't trade it for the world, can't get it anyplace else" was the
people contact, both peers and those gems of spontanious wisdom from adults
who never said they had all the answers... they were *just* willing to
spend some time as we wondered aloud about the questions.
Am I glad I feel great about the idea of being dropped off in the
Appalachians and having a fine time until I'm found or decide to show up?
You bet.
Is that more important than being a builder of invisible bridges?
I guess it depends on when you ask me, but I guess that's why I'm here
doin' what I'm doin' and not bein' Jeremiah Johnson north of Gattlinberg
(man has that place changed) ...
In summary, the roots are important. The branches will go the way they go
if they have support in their foundation.... geee, I guess I oughta go look
go an Ol Goat Patrol patch.
Jim Wellborn Guld Ridge Council
wellboj@mail.firn.edu Crystal River, FL
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
