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20 years ago, I had the chance to hear Stephen Covey speak at a training conference, which spurred me to read his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.  After reading Covey's book, it struck me how well the Boy Scout Oath and Law align with the 7 Habits. While the first things that come to mind when most people are asked about Scouting are camping, pinewood derbies and community service; Scouting is more than that. It is about character development, citizenship training and personal fitness. Scouting today is based upon the same principles that it was founded upon in 1910, the Scout Oath and Law.

The Scout Oath reads: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.” The Scout Law is: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”

One of the grand challenges that many of our communities have been addressing, is workforce development.  Specifically, how to bring soft skills to elementary school aged children. Several schools in our council have already implemented programs that connect the 7 Habits to learning and growth of their students. The application of the 7 Habits can range from being as simple as using the common language to a fully engaged curriculum. 

Scouting complements the efforts of the schools in developing young people to be ‘Prepared for Life’. The direct connection of the 7 Habits to the Scout Oath and the Scout Law can be interpreted as:

 

7 Habits of Highly Effective People The Boy Scout Oath and The Boy Scout Law
1. Be proactive 1. To help other people at all times, a Scout is helpful
2. Begin with the end in mind 2. Mentally awake
3. Put first things first 3. A Scout is obedient, thrifty, and brave
4. Think win-win 4. On my honor, I will do my best. Morally straight  A Scout is kind and clean
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood  5. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, and courteous
6. Synergize 6. A Scout is friendly and cheerful
7. Sharpen the saw 7. My duty to God. To keep myself physically strong. A Scout is reverent.


Scouting values can positively impact and compliment what is being done in the education system of our community.  Though the programs of the Scouting movement, we create a wraparound experience to support the soft skills development of young people in our community.

In Hancock County we are so very fortunate that we have such forward-thinking organizations and individuals to create community engagement.  Through the support of Hancock County community leaders that include;  The Community Foundation, United Way, City of Findlay, County Commissioners and Economic Development, an organization called Raise the Bar was created to address the need for a prepared and expanding workforce. Scouting and our Exploring programs are proud to partner with Raise the Bar and the other youth service organizations in our community, to make today’s youth ‘Prepared for Life’. Our council is open to seeking out similar partnerships in other parts of our service area.  Scout Me In. 

Marc D. Kogan

Scout Executive/Executive Director

Boy Scouts of America, Black Swamp Area Council

Chair

K-5 Sub-committee

Raise the Bar

      

Black Swamp Area Council
2100 Broad Avenue, Findlay Ohio
(419) 422-4356