Scout Spirit
Each rank in Scouting carries a requirement that the Scout "demonstrate Scout Spirit in his everyday life." Scout Spirit may seem like a vague requirement to some, but it means that the Scout has shown by his conduct that he has taken to heart the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. This requirement may also seem subjective and inconsistent. In order to address this, the Scoutmaster is the only Troop leader who can approve Scout Spirit. In addition to active participation in Troop activities, each Scout will demonstrate Scout Spirit by completing a task that is appropriate to each rank. Some examples are shown below:
Tenderfoot: At a campout immediately following the Church Service, be prepared to stand up in front of the Troop and speak about: (don’t read from a script, just tell the Troop your thoughts from the heart)
- Describe what Scouting means to you personally
- Describe why you joined the Troop and what you hope to gain from Scouting
- Describe what inspires you about going to campouts
- Tell the Troop what you enjoy most about camping
- Tell the Troop what you hope to accomplish in Scouting
- Tell the Troop how you have changed by becoming a Boy Scout
Second Class: At a campout immediately following the Church Service, be prepared to stand up in front of the Troop and speak about: (don’t read from a script, just tell the Troop your thoughts from the heart)
- Tell the Troop what you have learned in your first two ranks in Scouting
- Tell the Troop how you have changed at home and what your parents think of you as a Scout
- Describe some of your most enjoyable campouts, and some of your most difficult experiences in camping
- Describe to the Troop how others treat Scouting in your home, school and church
- Tell the Troop your goals in Scouting
First Class: (you must complete at least 2 of these items below)
- During a Greenhorn meeting, teach a Scout how to tie the Square Knot and explain the Oath and Law in front of the Greenhorns
- During a campout, teach a Greenhorn Scout an FCE skill during the FCE training period. (Must be signed by the FCE Scoutmaster.)
- During a Full Troop meeting, present a slide presentation on a historical Scouting topic. (Must be approved by Scoutmaster Bone.)
Star: (you must complete at least 2 of these items below)
- Recruit an adult guest speaker to talk to the Troop on how Scouting helped that person OR
Interview an Eagle Scout and bring that person to a Troop meeting for a presentation
AND
- Participate in an Eagle Scout Project and make a presentation about your experience OR
On a campout, lead a Sunday morning hike and hold a brief discussion on what Scouting means to you
Life: (you must accomplish one of the following)
- Research and write a paper relevant to Scouting and present it to the Troop on Scout Spirit in action. (Must be approved by Scoutmaster Bone.)
- At a meeting, serve as a Troop ambassador for visitors, introducing families to various Scoutmasters and holding a question and answer session in the garage with the Scoutmaster assisting.
- At a Greenhorn Scout meeting, be responsible for planning and executing a teaching program. The plan must be approved by the Scoutmaster and must include Scouting skills such as first aid, cooking, orienteering and other skills. The program must last for 30 minutes.
Scout Spirit is treated as a specific rank requirement and must be completed before, not during, the Scoutmaster Conference.