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