Message from the Council PresidentHOW WIDE THE TENT
The Boy Scouts of America—the national organization that charters the Utah National Parks Council’s organization, policies, and programs—celebrates its 100th anniversary on February 8th. In some ways it was an import, having borrowed substantially from the Boy Scouts movement founded a few years earlier in Great Britain by Robert Baden-Powell. According to his biographers, BP considered Boy Scouts his “calling” and retired from a distinguished military career to devote himself full-time to the new movement. Apparently its rapid growth and success surprised him. Specifically, he was surprised that so many boys in his own country were so interested in his experiences and skills as a military scout. He was surprised that so many British adults responded to his call for volunteer assistance in organizing Boy Scout troops. He was further surprised when representatives from countries in Europe and, in short order, the United States expressed interest in internationalizing the Boy Scouts. In 1920, he was surprised when, at the International Boy Scout Jamboree held in London, the thousands gathered there rocked the building in proclaiming him Chief Scout of the World. For BP, Boy Scouting was meant to build boys’ character, to teach them outdoor skills, and to instill in them their duty to God and country—all in an atmosphere of challenge and fun. He reasoned that Boy Scouting would succeed when boys came together in the company of adults whose manner and spirit inspired them. Moreover, Boy Scouting was meant for all boys. It was not specific to geography, income level, or culture. He designed it be simple and flexible enough to be workable in any setting, as exemplified by the simple design of the first Boy Scout uniform—khaki shirt and shorts, a broad-brimmed hat, a neckerchief, long stockings, and a walking stick. Scouting now spans the planet, although it is not found in every country. Whether it can continue to do what BP envisioned it doing is a real question as Scouting begins a new century in the U.S. So much has changed in recent years to expand competition for the time, interest, means, and loyalty of boys, young men, young women, and adults, who are Scouting’s clientele. The challenge plays out in the Utah National Parks Council in many ways, not least in whether Scouting can make inroads to traditionally underserved populations within its boundaries, specifically, its growing ethnic minorities. A few weeks ago I was a guest at a Saturday morning meeting convened by the leaders of the Wasatch LDS Stake. Although it is centered in Provo, the stake draws from several Polynesian congregations throughout Utah Valley. The hundred or more boys, young men, and adults who gathered at what was billed as an Aaronic Priesthood Kickoff all wore white shirts and ties. Many were in suits. All were handsome and broad-shouldered, it seemed to me. Those who kindly invited me to attend hoped that I would gain a better sense of the remarkable potential their organization represents—a potential that is framed by striking needs. There is great interest among the adults in using Scouting for the reasons BP founded it, and many of them are anxious to be involved with their boys and young men in Scouting units. At the same time, they acknowledge that few of them had Scouting experience in their younger years. Thus they are coming to Scouting with high hopes but also largely uninformed about how best to proceed. During the Centennial year the Council will reach out to all its constituencies to assure that all receive the training in their duties that the Boy Scouts of America makes available to them. This will accompany a distinct Council-wide effort to enlarge the sweep of the Scouting tent so that the fellowship and good will found there will be extended more broadly. Indeed, I look forward to Scouting’s tent stretching ever wider. I look forward to the Wasatch LDS Stake and many other comparable ethnic-centered organizations taking a rightful place within the tent—chartered organizations with strong, vital programs that brighten the futures of their youth. It seems a fitting vision—one consistent with the Founder’s—as the BSA’s second century commences. Hal Miller
Council President Archive MessagesPresident's Message - November 2009 President's Message - September 2009 President's Message - August 2009 President's Message - July 2009 President's Message - May 2009 President's Message - February 2009
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