Scouts learn Native American drumming
“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty.” If that phrase sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the beginning of the Scout Oath. Tomorrow marks the 104th birthday for the Boy Scouts of America.
Scouts in Troop 321 are being taught Native American drumming from the Cherokee tribe. While the basic principles of scouting remain the same — being trustworthy, kind, and brave — scout leaders say they’re looking to make some changes to increase their relevance in the community and bring in an even wider variety of young men and boys.
“2014, we are really trying to share the story of scouting, the awesome things it’s doing for kids including leadership development, character development,” Boy Scouts of America Bay-Lakes Council Hiawathaland District executive Kevin Corkin said. “A lot of parents think Scouting is just about knot tying and camping, but we are trying to get kids exposed to skills that are going to prepare them for life.”
“Scouting is a great experience,” Eagle Scout Noah Hansmann from Troop 322 said. “It helps you build character, gets you life experience, things you’ll carry with you.”
Yearly Scout memberships start as low as $24. A series of fundraising campaigns are held throughout the year in conjunction with the one-time fee to support all the activities the troops take part in. Friends Of The Scouts is their staple fundraiser, and it’s in full swing.
If you’d like to become a Scout or donate to the Boy Scouts of America, you can contact your local Scout office through scouting.org.