(adapted from "Woods Wisdom - Scoutmaster's Minutes")
Smart shoppers read labels when they go to the supermarket. Product labels tell them a number of things: whether the can or package has beans, corn, flour, or pork chops; what ingredients it contains; what it costs; the weight of the product. The label also carries the trademark of the packer or manufacturer. You can learn a lot by reading labels.
In Scouting we carry around our own labels. The uniform itself is kind of a label. It tells people that we are Scouts and that we try to live by the Scout Oath and Law.
If they know anything about Scouting,the badges we wear are labels, too. The badges describe some of the ingredients that make up our package - how far you have progressed and whether you're now a leader in the troop.
How well does your label describe the contents of your package? Can this be said of you: "The enclosed package lives up to the Scout Oath and Law. He is prepared to help in emergencies and does a Good Turn daily."
And is it true that the badge of rank you wear honestly reflects your Scouting skills? I'm quite sure it does because we don't give badges in this troop to Scouts who haven't earned them.
Wear your label - your uniform and its badges - proudly. And remember that it tells a lot about you and about your pledge to keep the Scout Oath and Law.
Last Revised 01/31/02