Like their Girl Scout counterparts, who follow the Girl Scout Promice, Boy Scouts begin meetings by reciting the Scout Oath, which includes pledging to“ help other people at all times.”
and helped out as tour assistants on ranger guided hikes.“ They served as the park service’ s eyes and ears at a lot of the living history encampments.” Tade says.
THE CIRCLE OF SERVICE Scout leaders help set the example for volunteerism: no Boy Scout or Girl Scout leadership roles are paid positions.“ We could not deliver the promise of scouting if it wasn’ t for the literally one thousand volunteers in the Mason- Dixon Council,” says Tade,“ and that’ s only counting the people who are wearing uniforms. It doesn’ t count the other 2,000 parents that are just along for a den meeting or a troop outing.”
Ronnie Dagenhart, 18, who earned the rank of Eagle Scout last February, joined Cub Scouts in first grade and now takes off work on Wednesday nights to help out with Troop 58 Boy Scout meetings in Downsville.“ Scouting has taught me to give back to the community,” says Ronnie, who plans this summer to complete training to be a scout leader.
While it may seem ambitious for a high school senior, those in scouting would not be surprised.“ If you ever talk to an Eagle Scout who has been in the program since they were young and have earned the highest rank of the Boy Scout, you’ ll see that the way they carry themselves and their essence is different from most teenage boys,” Don says.“ They understand the importance of helping people and being the best person you can be.” §
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Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond March / April 2013 41