Wishing the Boy Scouts a Happy 100th Anniversary

The Boy Scouts of America are celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year and the Girl Scouts of Nassau County and I wish them well!

This coming weekend the Theodore Roosevelt Council – our Boy Scout neighbors here in Nassau County, NY – will be having a big Centennial Jamboree at Eisenhower Park. I’ve been hearing about this for months from Scout Executive Dave Richardson, as well as from GSNC Staffers Alice and Lorraine, who also volunteer for BSA with their sons. It sounds like such a huge undertaking – boys in tents, activities, food, fires, entertainment! Dave has invited me to be a VIP guest on Saturday, and I can’t wait to see it all in action -- We wish them all the best and hope that they have fair weather and no surprises!

Last weekend Boy Scouts of Suffolk County celebrated at Camp Hero in Montauk where they passed their 100th Anniversary Lantern to the girls in Anne Gherardi’s Troop from the Bay Association of GSNC. We were delighted that Troop 208 was part of this meaningful celebration. Ellen Bohan Gherardi, a long-time Girl Scout who grew up in Nassau County, helped to lead the event in Suffolk. It is wonderful that she included our girls on this special occasion – For the Bohans and the Gherardis, Scouting is a family affair in so many ways!


Both Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting in this country grew from the work of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in the United Kingdom. Juliette Low, Founder of Girl Scouting in the United States, was impressed by the youth development work of Lord Baden-Powell and his sister Lady Baden-Powell and began the Girl Scouts in Savannah in 1912. The rest is our history -- and our future. While we share many traditions with Boy Scouts, the two organizations remain totally separate incorporated entities, each with our own missions, policies and governance. And of course, Girl Scouts is focused only girls, kindergarten through 12th grade, whereas Boy Scouts does allow girls in some programs at the high school level.

Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do.
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.


Boy Scout Oath
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.

Boy Scout Law
A Scout Is...
TRUSTWORTHY
A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL
A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
HELPFUL
A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
FRIENDLY
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND
A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL
A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY
A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE
A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Girl Scouts of the USA and our own Girl Scouts of Nassau County are already at work on our 100th Anniversary in 2012 . It’s looking to be a very big deal, with events starting in March 2011 and going through until March 2013 . We have already begun meeting with our sisters in Suffolk County to plan something BIG for Downstate NY Girl Scouts! We are in the early stages of planning, and if you have a great idea to share, please let me know!

In the meantime, don’t forget to send your recipes for 100th Anniversary Girl Scout Cookbook