Today's encounter with the Boy Scouts

[CJB]

Traversed several scores of miles, in order to get to the local (ha!) Home Depot today. The Boy Scout troup was out in front, exchanging donations for trinkets, chances and tickets for a spagetti dinner.

Side note - I was carrying my little Boomer with the .44 Russians in it. They're not downloaded, pack a lead punch like the full house .44 specials. But I digress.....

On the way out of the place, carrying a half dozen 2x3s on my shoulder (yes, 2x3s), I made it a point to go up the the Scouts.

I got the "Do you wanna buy a ....." from the oldest one, about 11 by estimation.

Well I want to ask you about what you've learned in Scouting, before I make a donation.

The three Scouts looked at each other....like "oh crap.... we got a live one....'

So what have you learned in Scouting. I glanced at the two moms to my right.

They talked about learning to swim, lifesaving, first aid, not camping under a tree with dead brances... (good one!).

So I asked them, ok... what do you think you might learn from Scouting.

Dead silence.

Ok gents... you're Scouts... what will you take away from this Scouting experience?

Dead silence. Moms were sorta looking askew at me.

Listen up boys, there are three things you need to learn.

I had center stage at that point.

One. Scouting will give you some tools to stand on your own two feet. Your parents will too, and so will school, but its up to you to figure out how to use all you have learned, in order to become independant and your own person.

Moms nodded.

Two. Scouting will help you find out what real worth is. When you're old like me, dont tell me how much money you made, don't tell me about what you own. Tell me about the difference you made in somebody's life.

Moms perked up.

Three. Scouting will help you to learn that the measure of a man is not the power he uses, but the power he restrains. Anyone can be a bully, anyone can go at it, but a good man controls himself.

Moms nodded again.

And I gave 'em twenty bucks for their trouble, hosted the wood back onto my shoulder and made haste toward my truck.

That was todays little excursion into the civilized world.

[Bawanna]

Your a good man Charlie Brown!

[desmobob]

I hope they remember those words. Well done!

Take it easy,
Bob

[Alfonse]

Fantastic! It is an honor to be your internet friend.

[topgun1953]

Good job!

[Bills1873]

Several of my lifelong friends were scouts well up into their high school years. All of them are really good men, and I want to believe scouting helped form them. Hopefully, CJB, at least one of the boys will take heed of your "old dude" wisdom!

[marshal kane]

Sounds like an "old scout" imparting words of wisdom to some young scouts! Good job CJB!

[CJB]

Half right. Just old.

[Ed M]

The world would be a better place if there were more people like CJB.

Thank you, Sir!

[yqtszhj]

Cool, while not as entertaining as the recent harbor freight story this one carries many more potential long term benefits. You did good.

[340pd]

From a 71 year old Eagle Scout,
Well done CBJ.

[Bawanna]

Took you awhile there 340. I made Eagle when I was about 17.

[ltxi]

My Boy Scout troop was a front for a hub cap theft ring. The three lessons CJB mentions I (finally) learned from the military.

[berettabone]

Spreading the "good" word, is always a good thing..................ya done good....................................

[knkali]

yeah, nice post, nice talk.

[DavidWJ]

One thing I missed growing up was becoming a Boy Scout. I was a Cub Scout, but my "other" friends all thought scouting was square. Since I grew up I've learned a tremendous amount from scouting books.

[getsome]

Great story CJB, I always like to pump up the Cub Scouts outside the grocery store with all the great stuff they will learn from scouting.....This is a true story about what scouting can do for a young mans future....My son earned his Eagle in 2013 and went on to State College wanting to be a mechanical engineer....He made the Deans list twice and after two years wanted to attend Georgia Tech which is one of the top 5 engineering schools in the country....He applied and we had great hopes he would be accepted but about a month later he received the letter explaining that the University had only so many slots and was moving to accept a more diverse student body which really means that if he was a transgendered cross dresser immigrant from Syria he would be in like Flynn.....

I felt so bad for him because his dream was crushed but Praise be to God we got a letter that they were opening a few more slots and gave us an appointment to come in and speak to an admissions counselor which we did.....He was an older gentleman who looked over everything in his application and then came to the part about him being an Eagle Scout and said, so you made Eagle and my son said yes sir I did.....He said I earned my Eagle in 1975 and remember how hard I had to work to get it so if you were willing to do what it took to accomplish that I think Georgia Tech has something to offer you.... He currently is working on a mechanical engineering degree and wants to work in the firearms industry.....

[yqtszhj]

Great story CJB, I always like to pump up the Cub Scouts outside the grocery store with all the great stuff they will learn from scouting.....This is a true story about what scouting can do for a young mans future....My son earned his Eagle in 2013 and went on to State College wanting to be a mechanical engineer....He made the Deans list twice and after two years wanted to attend Georgia Tech which is one of the top 5 engineering schools in the country....He applied and we had great hopes he would be accepted but about a month later he received the letter explaining that the University had only so many slots and was moving to accept a more diverse student body which really means that if he was a transgendered cross dresser immigrant from Syria he would be in like Flynn.....

I felt so bad for him because his dream was crushed but Praise be to God we got a letter that they were opening a few more slots and gave us an appointment to come in and speak to an admissions counselor which we did.....He was an older gentleman who looked over everything in his application and then came to the part about him being an Eagle Scout and said, so you made Eagle and my son said yes sir I did.....He said I earned my Eagle in 1975 and remember how hard I had to work to get it so if you were willing to do what it took to accomplish that I think Georgia Tech has something to offer you.... He currently is working on a mechanical engineering degree and wants to work in the firearms industry.....
Awesome story.

[340pd]

Took you awhile there 340. I made Eagle when I was about 17.

In the Troop picture I was the tallest but my Depends were showing a bit just below the shorts of my uniform. I did manage to find some orthopedic OD knee high socks to cover the bulging veins in my legs.

[Bawanna]

That comes from "Being Prepared". Lucky, I don't think I ever had any uniform shorts.

The Depends showing, heck, that could happen to anybody, don't worry none on that.

[knkali]

Great story CJB, I always like to pump up the Cub Scouts outside the grocery store with all the great stuff they will learn from scouting.....This is a true story about what scouting can do for a young mans future....My son earned his Eagle in 2013 and went on to State College wanting to be a mechanical engineer....He made the Deans list twice and after two years wanted to attend Georgia Tech which is one of the top 5 engineering schools in the country....He applied and we had great hopes he would be accepted but about a month later he received the letter explaining that the University had only so many slots and was moving to accept a more diverse student body which really means that if he was a transgendered cross dresser immigrant from Syria he would be in like Flynn.....

I felt so bad for him because his dream was crushed but Praise be to God we got a letter that they were opening a few more slots and gave us an appointment to come in and speak to an admissions counselor which we did.....He was an older gentleman who looked over everything in his application and then came to the part about him being an Eagle Scout and said, so you made Eagle and my son said yes sir I did.....He said I earned my Eagle in 1975 and remember how hard I had to work to get it so if you were willing to do what it took to accomplish that I think Georgia Tech has something to offer you.... He currently is working on a mechanical engineering degree and wants to work in the firearms industry.....

Fuuk'A...great story

[AJBert]

When I was a kid we lived so far out in the boonies there wasn't a scout troop close enough to attend. I do like to think, however, that I did learn a great deal of what a scout does for being raised out in the country and learning what work is from a young age.

I really did want one of those knives, though.

[kenemoore]

When I was a kid we lived so far out in the boonies there wasn't a scout troop close enough to attend. I do like to think, however, that I did learn a great deal of what a scout does for being raised out in the country and learning what work is from a young age.

I really did want one of those knives, though.

Same here. I worked a few summers at a peach orchard and the owners sons were all scouts, they all had one of those cool knives.

[Bills1873]

I had 8 siblings. Mom and Dad couldn't afford time or money for extracurricular activities. My 5 brothers and I were a scout troop! We were all taught to do our share and be accountable for our actions.

[OldLincoln]

So, let me get this straight.... Ya talked them scouts and moms into distraction, slip them a twenty and walk away with $40 of their wood. Not bad for an old man, not bad atall...

[CJB]

No the 2x3's were on sale for 99c each. I got 'em to cut up, basically, for firewood. Hardwood is currently scarce, so I just went with the cheapo lumber for the Halloween campfire out in the pit.

[AIRret]

CJB,
I love your interaction with the Boy Scouts!! Your a good man, even though you try to come off as a grumpy hard A$$.
Thank You!

[yqtszhj]

No the 2x3's were on sale for 99c each. I got 'em to cut up, basically, for firewood. Hardwood is currently scarce, so I just went with the cheapo lumber for the Halloween campfire out in the pit.

Now you're one smart fellow there . never thought about doing that for firewood .That's cheaper than the plastic wrapped bundles.

[Armybrat]

Great stories from some great Scouts (& non-scouts) here!

Was only a Cub Scout myself (later on in Taiwan there was no Scout troop), but my older brother made eagle when he was 14.

CJB, you would make a fine scoutmaster.

[CJB]

'
CJB,
I love your interaction with the Boy Scouts!! Your a good man, even though you try to come off as a grumpy hard A$$.
Thank You!

Really, I don't try to come across that way. But if that's what you're receiving..... you can try to adust the rabbit ears, but I don't think its gonna help!

I am plagued with a bunch of in depth and varied experience, where I was in the right place at the right (or wrong) time. I am plaugued with a good memory. And, I am plagued with "the I got to know gene". I supposed I'm plagued with Old Man's Disease too, namely a growing need to pass my experience off to the younger crowd, lest all I have absorbed will be naught but food for the worms.

[Radio]

Nicely done. I am currently the Eagle Scout Advisor for our local troop 130.
Richard

[marshal kane]

Real words of wisdom in a dumb, gimme age! Atta boy and pat on the back to someone who cares!