Scouts learn leadership skills

This is the final in a two-part series celebrating Boy Scouts of America’s centennial year.

By RENEE FITE

Eagle Scouts have walked on the moon.

And several walk here in Tahlequah.

About one in 100 boys earns the highest rank of Eagle Scout, a group that includes most astronauts.

The military looks to an Eagle Scout for leadership and will start him at a full pay grade higher.

The ranks of the Boy Scouts begin with Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star Scout, Life Scout and finally, Eagle Scout.

“It’s what we’d all like our boys to aspire to,” said Tommy Gay, committee chairman of Troop 743.

He’s also been an assistant scoutmaster for about a year.

“Statistically, 2 percent nationwide make Eagle Scout. With our troop, it’s slightly higher,” he said.

About 96 boys in the past 12 years have earned the Eagle Scout rank, said Becky Knox, scoutmaster of Greenwood Pack 730 and an assistant scoutmaster of Troop 743.

Dan Norman, 13, plans to be an Eagle Scout.

He’s a Senior Patrol leader in Troop 743, and his mom, Shelley Norman, has been den chief since Jarrick Snider “Eagled out.”

“I want to make it to Eagle so I can have a better chance of going to college,” he said.

He plans to get a degree in law.

Boys who have been through this program end up being really responsible – “good guys” like EMS and firemen, said Norman.

“Chad Smith is an Eagle Scout. Both his brothers and his dad were,” she said.

Smith and Jerry Cook, former Tahlequah mayor and current NSU administrator, were both speakers at the first Blue and Gold banquet she attended.

“They told the boys they used their leadership skills they learned in Scouts every day as Cherokee chief and as mayor,” Norman said. “Scouts teaches good leadership, to follow instructions and to respect leadership. When you’re the leader, you’ll want them to listen to you, I tell my boys.”

In the past 100 years, scouting has served as an activity before after-school programs came along, said Bryce Felts, scoutmaster for Troop 794.

“At one time, it was the only extracurricular activity year-round,” Felts said. “A lot of boys in the area benefited by respecting God and country.”

Jeff Carroll, cubmaster for the Keys and Woodall combined Cherokee Nation-sponsored Pack 764, was a scout himself. Some parents made their kids join up, he recalled.

“But I had so much fun. I just really enjoyed it and wanted my kids to have the same opportunity I had and experiences to learn,” Carroll said. “I’ve been in Scouts mostly my whole life. I became an Eagle Scout in 1990.”

When his son, Jaden, now 7, got old enough to join, so did Carroll.

He’s especially proud because Jaden was top seller out of the 28,000 scouts in the Indian Nation Council with popcorn sales. He won a Playstation 3 by selling $5,472 in popcorn.

Carroll’s wife, Christina, is a committee chairwoman with the pack and a Girl Scout troop leader. They’re both assistant scoutmasters with Troop 743 and Eagle advisers.

“Scouting allows you to be together as a family and do things,” he said. “It gets you outside and camping, rappelling, swimming and canoeing – all the things my son and daughter enjoy – and it teaches them a lot, like respect at home.”

They meet in the evenings so parents can participate.

“Most of our kids are Cherokee, so we’re also learning about culture right now,” he said. “We’re hosting a district traditional event at Camp Fred Darby, April 9-11.”

Camping is traditional scouting.

Oklahoma is also noted for having the third most popular of all Scout camps in the nation. Hale Scout Reservation near Talihina is visited by 8,000 to 9,000 boys each summer over a 10-week period.

“It’s organized in a way the boys really love,” Gay said. “We offer so many activities, like archery, aviation, climbing, fishing and fly fishing, horsemanship, white water rafting, scuba, rifle and shotgun – age-specific with safety emphasized – and skiing on artificial turf.”

There’s even a band for the Boy Scouts who want to bring their instruments and give a group concert.

It’s a safe, summer camp environment, Felts said, where the boys learn things that are tailored around each one’s interests.

More camping was one reason Norman wanted to become a Scout.

“Camping is fun,” he said, “and you make a lot of friends in Scouts.”

“We liked to camp before Scouts,” Shelley Norman said, “but now we go every month because it’s on the calendar.”

Being a den chief is also fun: “I get to teach the younger boys all the stuff they’ll need to go into Boy Scouts, like the Scout oath and how to pitch a tent, cooking sometimes with a Dutch oven, and building fires.”

Cub Pack 743 will be camping in a cave in DeCatur, Ark., next week, and going to Baldwin, Kan., next month to learn about and ride on a train. They’ll also camp there. And in April, they’re going to Murfreesboro, Ark., to dig for diamonds.

“They’re like taking mini-vacations every month,” Norman said.

Many volunteer adult leaders of today enjoyed scouting so much as youth they want to help as many boys as possible have the same opportunities.

“My son wanted to join, so I did,” said Tommy Gay.

His son Taylor, now 12, started as a Cub Scout.

“There was a need, and I was the lucky person who came along,” he said.

He’d been an active parent, so he was familiar with the program.

“Boy Scouts teaches young men to be trustworthy, loyal, honest and to be good leaders,” Gay said. “I feel it’s an exceptional organization for producing our leaders of tomorrow.”

Self-confidence is a key element, Gay said.

“Their interaction with friends is more healthy than some kids we see today; they play outside more and are more physically active,” he said.

Taylor said his older cousins really liked it and told him what all they did.

“Camping and being with my friends” are what he most enjoys, along with earning merit badges.

“And we get to see places you regularly wouldn’t be able to see,” Taylor said.

Because of the large Native American population in Cherokee County, “we learning about Indian lore and my culture – I’m Indian,” he added.

He’s learning the Scout oath and to be an all-around good person.

“Be kind to others and do the right thing,” he quipped.

Meeting a new friend at summer camp was awesome, too.

“I met a kid from Texas; he’s my friend, and I hope to see him this coming year,” he said.

Troop 743 is the largest in the county.

“It’s still small; nearly 20 boys who are active and regularly coming to meetings and campouts,” Gay said. “Scouting is boy-led, taught by other boys to do the skills necessary for the campouts, merit badges and survival skills as well as leadership.”

Ideally, parents and leaders are there for assistance and transportation.

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