My affiliation with the Boy Scouts began when I became a Cub Scout in pack 24 out of the Garfield Elementary School in Cedar Rapids Iowa.  I don’t remember much about that time, other than my Mother was my Den Leader for a while, we went on neat field trips, and made cool crafts.  When I was about eleven and a half I moved up to Boy Scouts.  I joined Troop 5 chartered to the Central Park Presbyterian Church in C.R., with Scoutmaster Richard [Mr. B.] Beaty.  I stayed active in the troop until I graduated from high school, with many fond memories of good times.  During college, I would come back to help out the troop and was able to go on a three day canoe trip down the Cedar River.  During my scouting activities as a youth I only had two regrets 1] I never made it to the rank of Eagle 2] I never made it to Philmont Scout Ranch.  Well, my son made it to Eagle, and a few years ago I finally made it to Philmont as an adult—which makes the regrets much more bearable.
     I started my Adult Boy Scout career when my son joined the local Boy Scout Troop 103 registered to the Audubon Presbyterian church, about nineteen years ago.  Until my son graduated from High School I was very involved with the troop, serving as an assistant scoutmaster.  Since that time I  have worked more at the district level and am now a unit commissioner for two troops and two packs, as well as helping as cook, teacher etc. at other district outings.
      My interest in collecting Boy Scout items started probably about ten years ago with wanting to have each edition of the Scout Handbook, since the beginning in 1911.  From there it just seemed to spread with a mind of it’s own to other Scout books and Scout items, especially in the original boxes.  Where it will end I do not know, but I know it has slowed down a lot—due to other interests and having acquired most of the older Scout items and books that I find interesting.

The Boy Scouts of America

http://www.scouting.org

                                                                                         

                Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Scout Oath		Scout Law
On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.		A Scout is: Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind   Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent

Vision Statement

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

In the future Scouting will continue to

• Offer young people responsible fun and adventure;
• Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law;
• Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership;
• Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program.