SM Minute Story about Uniforms
From: Lynn McKee
Subject: SM Minute Story about Uniforms
I used this as a Scoutmaster's Minute (or two) with a new troop a couple of
years ago, but the credit for it goes to my Father, Terry L. McKee. Yes,
this yet another story of his I heard over and over growing up. It is a true
story that happenend with Troop 61 in the Valley Forge Council in about 1960.
One night during a Troop Meeting, two of the Scouts ate some of the cookies
before it was time for refreshments. All in all, it may not seem too
serious, but the other Scouts were upset and complained the the SPL that the
two had violated the Scout Law by stealing the cookies. The SPL decided to
call a meeting of the PLC to determine their punishment. The Adult leaders
waited as anxiously as the two culprits while the PLC met. Some wanted to
kick them out of Scouts for violating thier word. Others argued that they
needed to learn the lessons of Scouting, so they should stay in. After a
long discussion, the two were told there punishment. They were not allowed
to wear their Scout Uniforms for a month, since they had disgraced them with
thier act. The Scouts were crushed, but complied, and the Adults were
astonished at the wisdom of the PLC (they were both new Scouters at the time).
By the way, the Chartering Organization was the local State School for the
Mentally Retarded (that's what they were called in the Dark Ages) and the
Troop was made up of residents there. They may have below average IQ's but
they understood the importance of the uniform and the principles of Scouting.
I guess some of those stories Dad kept telling had some interesting lessons.
The other time that story comes to mind is when I hear Scoutmasters say
thier kids are not ready/mature/experienced enough to run the Troop by
themselves.
YIS,
Lynn McKee
Advisor, Post 555, Houston, TX
Eagle '78