The Importance of Scouting

 Stalin initiated a revolution by corrupting the youth. Should one think of changing the course of a people's life,he would likely succeed if he gains stronghold in the youth.The youth of today will be the pillars of the nation tomorrow. If they are misguided, they would compose the most destructive element of the future society, serving as the restraining force to the country's development and progress; but build the youth , and you build the nation. Reforms for the betterment of a country cannot be initiated by the corrupt and the unenlightened. Only the rightfully educated can make this possible. That is why the youth of today must be moulded into morally upright citizens._They must be brought up vested with skills for survival , coupled with moral values. This is the goal of Scouting.

Scouting was founded by Lord Baden Powell in England. The Americans brought Scouting to the Philippines. Late Col.J.E.H. Stevenot worked for an independent Boy Scout Organisation in the Philippines. In spite of his American nationality, he sacrificed a great deal of his time, effort and money for the cause of the Filipino youth. He secured the cooperation of the National Assembly to Filipinize the Movement through the passage of Commonwealth Act No. 111 that created the "Boy Scouts of the Philippines",which was sponsored by the then Assemblyman Tomas Confesor and was approved by President Manuel L. Quezon on Oct. 31,1936.

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines is the Philippines Chapter of the world Boy Scout Movement.Its national objective is character building and citizenship training. Its international goal is world brotherhood. The BSP is a strictly non-sectarian, non-political, non-commercial and non-military organisation. It seeks to develop good citizenship among boys by moulding their character,training them in the habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance; inculcating loyalty, thoughtfulness for others;teaching them to give services useful to the public, and promoting their physical , mental and spiritual development. 

The fundamental principles of  Scouting ( according to its founder, Lord Baden Powell) are:

!.Duty to God and religion

2.Loyalty to one's own country

3.Belief in world friendship and brotherhood

4.Service to others

5.Acceptance and adherence to the scout oath and law

6.Voluntary membership

7.Independence of all political influence

8.A progressive program of training boys,young men and adults for responsible citizenship

The Scout Oath: On my honour, I will do my duty to God and my country and to obey the scout law;to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

The Scout Law: A scout is trustworthy,loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Reference: Boys Scout Handbook