A Scout is Brave

A Scout is Brave

I work at a summer camp run by the Boy Scouts of America from the beginning of June until the end of August. Once a week, campers participate in an activity that we call the honor trail. Scouts walk reverently along a trail and stop at stations that are evenly spaced on the trail. At each station, boys learn about the points of the scout law.

The Scout Law

A Scout is

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean

and Reverent

I spoke on the honor trail the last three weeks on A Scout is Brave. I thought I would share what I said about that. A lot of it is stuff that somebody else wrote and I had to memorize, but some of it is in my own words. Sorry if you think it's cheesy. So, here it is:

A Scout is Brave

Mark Twain said, "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not the absence of fear." A scout can face danger, even though he is afraid. He stands up for what he thinks is right, even when others laugh at, or threaten him. 

Most boys want to be brave and strong. To prove themselves, they might do things that are foolish, and actually dangerous. When a boy does such a task to prove his courage to himself, it might strengthen his resolve in future situations. But, if he does it to win the approval of others, he is actually being cowardly in bowing to their pressures. 

One of my favorite books taught me that sometimes it can take more courage to stand up to your friends than to anybody else. Tonight on the honor trail, I would like to challenge you to stand brave at all times. You might be with a group of friends who are encouraging you to participate in an activity that you have been taught is wrong. Have the courage to stand up and leave the situation, or at least tell them that you will not participate.

Fear can take many forms. The fear of looking foolish, fear of the unknown, fear of failure. Don't let fear get in your way. Never let fear stop you from accomplishing your goals. Never let fear stop you from reaching your dreams. Always be brave.