(Compiled from Several Sources; 6/8/05)
About 1 out of every 4 boys in America becomes a Scout. However, of every 100 boys who become Scouts, about 30 will drop out during their first year. This might be regarded by some as a failure, but in later life even these early dropouts will remember that they had once been Scouts, and nearly all of them will speak well of the program. In fact, many will return to Scouting with their own sons.
Of the 100, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. 12 of the 100 will be from families that belong to no Church. Through Scouting, these 12 and many of their families will be brought into contact with a Church, and as a result some will continue to be active all their lives. 5 of the 100 will earn a religious award. 1 of the 100 will enter the Clergy.
Each of the 100 will learn from their Scouting experiences. At least 1 will use his Scout skills to save another person’s life, and at least 1 other will credit it with saving his own life. 18 will develop hobbies through Scouting that will last throughout their lives. 8 will find their future vocations through their merit badge work and Scouting contacts.
85 percent of Student Council Presidents, 89 percent of Senior Class Presidents, 75 percent of School Publication Editors, and 71percent of School Football Captains, were Scouts. 72 percent of Rhodes Scholars, and 85 percent of FBI Agents, were Scouts.
Many Scouts will serve in the military, and in varying degrees will profit from their Scout training. 64 percent of Air Force Academy graduates, 68 percent of West Point graduates, and 70 percent of Annapolis graduates, were Scouts. 26 of the first 29 astronauts were Scouts. Among the leaders in this nation in business, religion and politics, 3 out of every 4 were Scouts.
4 of the 100 will reach Eagle rank, and at least 1 will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. 17 of the 100 will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.
This story will never end. Like the “Golden Pebble” of service dropped into the human sea it will continue to radiate in ever widening circles, influencing the characters of men down through unending time. Thank you for being a part of this story.
