If you watch movies and television, you may have noticed that in many cases, the 'hero' has been replaced with the 'anti-hero.' What is an anti-hero? Doing quick online research, one can find the following common attributes of anti-heroes: moral ambiguity, flawed character, selfishness, cynical, defiant, pessimistic, stubborn, rejects societal norms, remorseless, and possesses unconventional philosophies to justify their actions. Though some would argue that the traditional depiction of the hero is unrealistic in that the hero has few or no flaws, I think that most would agree that the anti-hero is an extreme swing in the opposite direction. If you look at those attributes again, you might conclude that the synonym for the anti-hero is 'jerk.' It is strange that this is seen as 'cool' and 'edgy.' The danger in the popularity of the anti-hero in fiction is that people in real life start thinking that it is OK to emulate the anti-hero. This is not something to strive for as we should all focus on being the best version of ourselves vice embracing or cultivating character flaws. Reject what you know is wrong, because in real life the antihero does not exist. Do your best to be the real hero and make a difference in the lives of others in a positive way.
A Scout is Helpful, Cheerful, Kind, and Brave.
Monday, August 18, 2025
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute— August 12, 2025
Will you be my neighbor?
This question was asked by a man named Fred Rogers. He asked kids from all over the country to be his neighbor on his television show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
"Neighbors are people who live close to each other. Neighbors look at each other; they talk to each other; they listen to each other. That's how they get to know each other."
We are all neighbors. The scouts and adults around you are your neighbors. Mr. Rogers encouraged all of his television neighbors to be kind and care. He had the following to say about neighbors.
"Neighbors are people who live close to each other. Neighbors look at each other; they talk to each other; they listen to each other. That's how they get to know each other."
"Neighbors are people who are close to us and close to our hearts."
At the center the messages Mr. Rogers shared was kindness and respect. Each of us as human beings are worth of kindness and respect. We are all valuable and perfect just the way we are.
All of us should treat all of our neighbors with kindness and respect.
A scouts is reverent, courteous, and kind.
This question was asked by a man named Fred Rogers. He asked kids from all over the country to be his neighbor on his television show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
"Neighbors are people who live close to each other. Neighbors look at each other; they talk to each other; they listen to each other. That's how they get to know each other."
We are all neighbors. The scouts and adults around you are your neighbors. Mr. Rogers encouraged all of his television neighbors to be kind and care. He had the following to say about neighbors.
"Neighbors are people who live close to each other. Neighbors look at each other; they talk to each other; they listen to each other. That's how they get to know each other."
"Neighbors are people who are close to us and close to our hearts."
At the center the messages Mr. Rogers shared was kindness and respect. Each of us as human beings are worth of kindness and respect. We are all valuable and perfect just the way we are.
All of us should treat all of our neighbors with kindness and respect.
A scouts is reverent, courteous, and kind.
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Scoutmaster Minute, 5 August 2025
I like to collect old Scout books. Most were written by William Hillcourt, otherwise known as "Green Bar Bill," as he wrote much of BSA literature from 1927 to 1992. I sometimes read these books and find pearls of wisdom that I had not otherwise seen in modern publications. What continues to speak to me is Green Bar Bill's preface for the 1927 Handbook for Patrol Leaders:
"Once upon a time there was a boy who wasn't much of a boy. He wasn't physically strong. He didn't care very much for games such as other boys played. Indeed, he didn't care very much for other boys. He lived mostly in a dream world of his own. Then one clear January day a good many years ago, he became a Scout because his father gave him the "Handbook for Boys" for a Christmas present. Little by little he became absorbed in the life of the Scouts, in the things that Scouts do, in the ideals of the Scout Movement. He was lucky enough to have a very wise Scoutmaster who understood the minds and moods and abilities of his boys and tried to give each one an opportunity to grow. And so, one day the Scout found himself appointed a Patrol Leader. And right then and there, a new life started for him. His responsibilities developed his character. His life with his Patrol in the open strengthened his body. The realness of the boys in his group made him into a real boy himself. For a long time he carried on his job. Slowly he learned its many phases. Slowly he made himself a leader somewhere near worthy of those wide-awake, very much alive boys of his, that Patrol group with its splendid spirit of loyalty, unity and "togetherness". And as he worked he came to wish that he might someday give to other Patrol Leaders the benefits of some of his experiences, to help them along on their path to successful leadership. This book which you boys now have in your hands is that other boy's dream come true."
This passage resonates with me because Green Bar Bill is one of my Scouting heroes, and like him, I was an awkward and shy kid. Scouting helped pull the shyness away, making me feel less out of place in this world. From what I have learned, we all experience awkward points in our life, times when we wonder if we fit in with others – whether we 'belong.' This is OK – it is a universal condition with humans. Know that you are good enough and that if you take advantage of the opportunities Scouting gives you, the experiences will help you build confidence along the way. As you feel more comfortable in your skills and abilities, you too can leverage your lessons learned to help others in their journeys through life.
A Scout is Helpful
"Once upon a time there was a boy who wasn't much of a boy. He wasn't physically strong. He didn't care very much for games such as other boys played. Indeed, he didn't care very much for other boys. He lived mostly in a dream world of his own. Then one clear January day a good many years ago, he became a Scout because his father gave him the "Handbook for Boys" for a Christmas present. Little by little he became absorbed in the life of the Scouts, in the things that Scouts do, in the ideals of the Scout Movement. He was lucky enough to have a very wise Scoutmaster who understood the minds and moods and abilities of his boys and tried to give each one an opportunity to grow. And so, one day the Scout found himself appointed a Patrol Leader. And right then and there, a new life started for him. His responsibilities developed his character. His life with his Patrol in the open strengthened his body. The realness of the boys in his group made him into a real boy himself. For a long time he carried on his job. Slowly he learned its many phases. Slowly he made himself a leader somewhere near worthy of those wide-awake, very much alive boys of his, that Patrol group with its splendid spirit of loyalty, unity and "togetherness". And as he worked he came to wish that he might someday give to other Patrol Leaders the benefits of some of his experiences, to help them along on their path to successful leadership. This book which you boys now have in your hands is that other boy's dream come true."
This passage resonates with me because Green Bar Bill is one of my Scouting heroes, and like him, I was an awkward and shy kid. Scouting helped pull the shyness away, making me feel less out of place in this world. From what I have learned, we all experience awkward points in our life, times when we wonder if we fit in with others – whether we 'belong.' This is OK – it is a universal condition with humans. Know that you are good enough and that if you take advantage of the opportunities Scouting gives you, the experiences will help you build confidence along the way. As you feel more comfortable in your skills and abilities, you too can leverage your lessons learned to help others in their journeys through life.
A Scout is Helpful
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