The Utah National Parks Council programemphasis has a new program or emphasis. It is called…

Why a new program? The need is illustrated by a recent survey. A group of Scouts, Scouters and parents were asked to place 13 parts of Scouting in order, according to the most to least “emphasis” they usually have.

Area of Scouting Survey rating Rank advancement 1 Duty to country 2 Camping 3 Cooking 4 Knots 5 Service 6 Morally straight 7 Duty to God8 Hiking 9 Physically fit 10 Orienteering 11 Good turns 12 Plants 13 The survey shows that rank advancement has become the “heart of Scouting” for most Scouts, Scouters and parents. The results were: Duty to God 8

“… is already inside. It is already the fundamental factor pervading Scouting.” (From a speech to Scout Leaders, July 2, 1926). When he was asked about religion and scouting, he replied that… religion: What did Baden Powell believe should be the heart of scouting? When something is 8 th among 13, fundamental factor! it is not the fundamental factor!

Several leaders have developed some first duty first ways of putting the… first duty first. and they have seen significant changes in Scout behavior: Kindness, obedience, helpfulness, congeniality, friendliness, courtesy, brotherhood, reverence, cooperation, and awareness of who they are. Less: More: Vandalism, fighting, criticizing, disciplinary problems, confrontations, pranks, arguing and put downs of peers

When the key three in the Council learned of this, they had a program created to share the innovations with the whole council. The program is ready, and it is called:

When we want to do something important, it helps to have a “vision” that guides us. The vision is that the first ideal in the Scout Oath should be... The most important part of the is a vision! program is a vision! “On my honor I will do my best duty to God to do my duty to God …”

four The program has four other parts: Leader’s Guide 1. A Leader’s Guide with many creative ideas first duty first about ways to put the… first duty first The Leader’s Guide has ideas for: Scoutmaster conferences Living the Scout Oath and Law Using scriptures and journals Special Trails Workshops and Pow Wows Boards of Review Courts of Honor Troop meetings Camps and hikes Personal Prayer

2. A Heart of Scouting pin that is available for those want to make a commitment first duty first to put the first duty first in their life. The pin can be earned and worn by Scouts, Scouters and family members on uniforms, hats, ties, lapels, dresses, etc. The pin is a reminder and symbol of the commitment. 3. A program and patch for camps.

4. New activities and awards that will help learn and do Scouts learn and do their duty to God. Activities and a patch for Cub Scouts. Activities and a pin for Varsity Scouts and Venturers. Activities and a patch for Boy Scouts to enrich the “Scout spirit” requirement. The brochure describes these activities and awards.

It will be when young men look back at their Scouting experience and believe duty to God that duty to God was the most important part. What will be success with the Heart of Scouting program?

Four otherBenefits are expected.

Some question why their church sponsors Scouting. They see Scouting as quite different from the main purposes of their church. The program will help Scouting be closer to the main Benefit #1: The program will help Scouting be closer to the main purposes of churches, and this will help more leaders be enthusiastic about Scouting.

Many Scouts merely “play the game.” They get rank advancements, but do not internalize the ideals of Scouting. When spirituality Benefit #2: When spirituality is The Heart of Scouting it will provide a solid foundation, and help more Scouts internalize the Ideals of Scouting!

Benefit #3: The program will “raise the bar” in preparing young men to be more effective… Students Citizens CitizensHusbandsFathersSonsBrothersProviders Church and civic leaders

Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Doing Good Turns Helping other people are The program will help Scouts 4. Benefit #4: The program will help Scouts and leaders see the connection between and leaders see the connection between Scouting activities and spirituality. Scouting activities and spirituality. DoingOurDuty to God

activities duty to God When leaders help youth see the connection between Scout activities and duty to God … It will fulfill Baden Powell’s vision of spirituality being: “the fundamental factor pervading Scouting.” pervading Scouting.”

What should each of us do? “catch” the vision!First… “catch” the vision! Apply the ideas in the Leader’s Guide first duty first. and create other ways to help put the… first duty first. Help others catch the vision…Help others catch the vision… Earn the Heart of Scouting pin and wear it first duty firstEarn the Heart of Scouting pin and wear it as a symbolic reminder to yourself and others to put the… first duty first.

This isn’t The End It’s…