How do you give back?

Don Cunningham, 2001 National OA Chief, wrote this letter regarding the vision of unity and common bond that Order of the Arrow represents:

"...when Dr. Goodman founded our great and honored Order, he glimpsed a vision. This vision was his dream of unity and a common bond that drew human beings together under the same purpose. The product of this dream is the reality of the Order of the Arrow today. It is an opportunity to aim for something higher. It gives Scouts and Scouters alike the chance to go beyond the routines of their units to gain special leadership experience and give back to those who elected them. The Order is an endless cycle and its possibilities are infinite. The root of it all lies with the brotherhood and fellowship that bring members together." Click here for the whole letter

I specifically want to point out the line where Don says, "give back to those who elected them." If you're an Arrowman right now, how are you giving back to the Scouts in your troop? What can you do today to change the way the OA is viewed in your troop, so that ALL KIDS want to join and become active? It's the spirit that the OA is given that makes a difference here. Some kids I talk to are totally anti-Order of the Arrow, and I just don't get it. It's a group of ELITE Scouts, who give back the best, who serve the most, who follow the Oath and Law the best, who are the BEST role-models.


I give back through teaching merit badges at my martial arts studio. I teach Sports, Athletics, and Personal Fitness Merit Badges, and GIVE AWAY 3 months of FREE classes. I give and give and give, and only except in return that the kids I help will reach Eagle Scout and take their own oath to give back to Scouting more than they received.


Are YOU ready to make that commitment?

If you are, then I'll see YOU at the TOP!


Sensei Brian

Exploring Nature Through Scouting

"Thoughts on the Nature of Camping," a letter written by 2002 National OA Chief Clay Capp, can be found at: http://www.oa-bsa.org/resources/thoughts/thoughts_02c_camping.htm In an excerpt from the letter, Capp wrote:

"...the founders of both the Scouting Movement and the Order of the Arrow valued camping as a way to teach Scouting skills. But each Scout who has truly experienced the outdoors while camping will value camping for its own sake. True, it is in the outdoors that many Scouts learn how to tie their knots and their bandages, and first use a compass. But it is also true that the outdoors is where a Scout's self-reliance is fostered."

This is a great letter.  I have wondered myself where my self-reliance comes from.  I'm sure that my Dad being away a lot because of the military had something to do with that.  But I filled my time with camping, hiking, outdoor skills.  I camped every weekend for a year straight during my Sophomore year of high school and then staffed Summer Camp that Summer.  I really DID develop a sense of self in the outdoors.  I gained confidence in my ability to survive in the wilderness and thus gained confidence in my ability to help MYSELF. 

Look for the answers yourself first.  Explore.  Make mistakes.  But through this process I think I learned to rely on myself too much.  I forgot that it's ok to ask for help.  Never forget that many people have been through what you're going through RIGHT NOW.  Use their wisdom.  They want to help...but you need to ask first. Whether you're a kid having relationship problems or an adult having money problems, you must always remember to "ASK for help BEFORE it's TOO LATE!"

See you at the top,
Sensei Brian