If you apply the above explanation to Scouting
you have got the answer. All play games, but not the same
ones. Our Scouting Movement is based on the easy way of learning
by doing; we have not the rigid rules as the Army, we work as teams
with a mutual respect for each other. In this way do we reach our
aim easily. As a young Cub-Scout you started learning all the
basic rules by copying the elder ones. In the Scout Troop you
find out the reason that lay behind all those rules; now as Venture
Scouts it is your turn to instruct your younger brothers in
Scouting. Some of you might ask, "But why should I make this
effort in instructing and teaching those young kids?" Scouting is
more than just fun! Scouting is fun indeed but it teaches special
skills and trains a man’s mind and character! It helps us to
learn self-discipline. This discipline is essential for our whole
life.
This is also the true reason why Lord Baden-Powell started the Scouting
Movement.
He wanted to give young man something for their recreation that, at the
same
time, would be a preparation for later life.
May I give you an example? Our Scout Promise says that we
should do our duty to God and to our country, that we ought to help
others. If you train yourselves as young men to do so, it will
become part of your lives later on. We train ourselves in skills
and we want to get badges. It is not the badge that is
important! It is the training that comes with it. Once you
have that skill or that ability it will bring you to a very useful
hobby to occupy yourselves with in your leisure time.
Dear, Friends and Brother in Scouting, may I thank you for this
occasion to address you. Happy Scouting!
