(adapted from Woods Wisdom - Scoutmaster's Minutes)
When we hike, we spend most of our time on trails. Sometimes the going is easy because the ground is flat and smooth. At other times it's all uphill - steep and rocky.
The Scout advancement trail is like that, too. Some merit badge requirements will be easy for you. Some will be tough, like an uphill climb with a forty-pound pack.
This month we will concentrate on helping each other up those steep, rocky hills to earn merit badges. Why bother? Because by mastering more skills we grow to be a better person, more independent, better able to take our place as a responsible citizen.
Some of us may be slower to advance than others. That's okay. The important thing is that we all do our best to make progress. Because if you're not progressing, you're really moving backward - you're getting behind the rest.
Let's all make up our minds to take a step forward on the advancement trail this month by earning at least one merit badge. If you're near First Class rank now, make a special effort to reach it in time for the next court of honor.
And let's help at least one other guy over the tough spots on the Scout advancement trail.
Last Revised 11/23/01