A Life Lived in Scouting Essays -- Personal Narrative Boy Scouts Paper

A Life Lived in observation towering 1986 Introduction to the Mystery After the skits, songs, and cheers, the campsite music director (bearing a white sash embroidered with a red arrow and two bars at each end) came forward. The crowd instantly grew inactive and somber. The wind rustled the branches swayed and cracked the lake gently lapped the shore. Sitting with my catch, I watched bats cream above two great fires. In a clear barely reverent tone, the weathered old man invoked the beauty of nature, the mystery of life, and the outstanding Spirit. In solemn words, he added, Each has his own path, let the Scout Oath and Law free that path. A quiet tenor, the dwell Director began to sing. With intimate familiarity, uniformed men, women, and boys rose adding their voices to his. My paddles keen and bright Flashing with silver gray Swift as the marvelous goose flight Dip, dip and broom Dip, dip and swing her back Flashing with silver Follow the wild goose flight Dip, dip a nd swing Faces ninny, backs straight, heads held high, each waited and, silence fell. slake seated by my father, I watched the fire of fellowship, bright against the water, cast persistent shadows crossways the faces of the crowd the other stood unlit, no flame lived within it or brought warmth to the people. From the distant shore, a canoe entered the water and silently approached the paddlers in smooth perfect unison. Mateo, messenger of the Leni-Lenape, stood erect and proud in the stern of the canoe. From a pot of flame, Mateo reached and drew a single arrow. Putting gouge to string, Mateo released the arrow and smote the lifeless fire. Flame rose from its depths and the voice of Chief Allowat Sakima boomed across the water, across the fire circle, and echoed forth. I am ... ... the last song of the nett campfire and invokes the memory of all that have come before in Scouting. It is, to Scouts, a sacred song. The light dimmed still further and as we reached the glide by of the stairs. We stood together, finished humming, and walked down to the car. We shared our final night of Summer bivouacking together two weeks later I went off to Basic and my father died in August of 2000. July 2004 will be my first Summer Camp in six years. Scouting may be indefinable except it is palpable and, it moves men and boys to become better human beings through their move together. First Verse of Scout Vespers Softly falls the light of day, While our campfire fades away. Silently each Scout should ask stick I done my daily task? Have I kept my detect bright? Can I guiltless sleep tonight? Have I done and have I dared Everything to be prepared?