BonnerSprings.com

Physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight is an oath spoken by every Boy Scout in America.

And as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the oath acts as a symbol of a steadfast message that has been present since the beginning.

“It’s designed to make better men,” said Bob Nolan committee chairman of the Bonner Springs Boy Scouts. “It’s about gaining confidence, not turning them into manly men.”

The Boy Scouts of America was founded Feb. 8, 1910 after William D. Boyce had a positive experience with a Boy Scout while visiting London, which is where Scouting began.

According to Boy Scout legend, Boyce was lost in a dense fog and a boy approached him asking if Boyce needed help. He told the boy he was looking for a business, and the boy offered to show him the way. When they arrived at the destination, Boyce reached in his pocket book to offer a tip, but the boy refused, telling Boyce that he was a Scout and wouldn’t be paid for helping.

That single act of kindness led to the inception of a similar program in America that retired Bonner Springs Scoutmaster Bruce Coleman said is a combination of leadership and character training.

As the Boy Scouts of America prepares for a year of celebration for its 100th milestone, Bonner Springs Boy Scouts are taking time for a history lesson and to celebrate its own milestone.

The Bonner Springs Boy Scouts was formed in 1959 and chartered in 1960. This year’s 50th anniversary, in conjunction with the national 100th anniversary has the local troop swelling with pride.

Throughout its 100-year history, little has changed when it comes to the basic goal of Boy Scouts of America.

Leadership had always been an aspect lesson taught to Scouts. One example of the way this is done is through patrols. The boys are divided into patrols, and each group selects its own leader. Then all the patrols choose a leader to head the entire troop.

“Some ideas (have) changed (over the years) then we go back to the fundamentals,” Coleman said. “We’ve maintained a pretty steady course.”

Another ongoing aspect of Boy Scouts has been the outdoor skills. Coleman said practical skill training that would stay with the boys into manhood is something Scouting is proud to provide.

“It’s partially because it gives them a sense of independence but also because it’s fun,” Coleman said. “They learn by doing things. There is such a wide range of things we want the boys to get exposed to.”

With more than 100 merit badges to earn, that wide range of experience can come in many different forms. Coleman said many of the badges lead to lifetime hobbies, but some badges lead to careers.

Merle Schneck, treasurer of the Bonner Scouts, said he could recall several past Boy Scouts who had discovered their career paths through their Scouting experiences. From a doctor and a veterinarian to a forester and a biologist, Schneck said he had seen a variety of badges turn into careers.

“Their interest came through Scouting,” he said.

Schneck hasn’t had a child in Scouting for more than 30 years, but that hasn’t stopped him from maintaining ties to the organization. He said even though his family is grown, he sees so much worth in the program that he continues to make a big part of his life.

“Scouting gives boys — and girls — the opportunity to make mistakes that don’t hurt too bad and learn from those mistakes,” Schneck said.

Nolan said the men involved in Boy Scouts were there to act as a moral compass as boys discovered who they wanted to be and developed into men themselves.

“There’s a moral creed,” Nolan said. “It’s teaches them to live their lives as productive citizens.”

In honor of their 50th anniversary, the Bonner Springs Boy Scouts will be planning a Court of Honor ceremony in the coming year. At the 40th anniversary, Schneck said the ceremony brought more than 100 people to celebrate the organization.

As for the national 100th anniversary, The Heart of America Council, the Kansas City metro area chapter of Boy Scouts of America, is planning a large celebration Sept. 24-26 at Camp Naish in Bonner Springs. Nolan said it was projected more than 18,000 Scouts would attend the event.

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