Wood Badge course S9-113 was a Thursday-Saturday course. While taking two days off of work for each weekend was difficult for most participants, it was a great opportunity for scouters who could not attend a regular weekend course. These scouters either worked for the church on Sunday or their religious beliefs made it difficult or even impossible to attend. This course was developed for them.
A large group of participants during S9-113 were from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). It just happens that 2013 is the 100th anniversary of the relationship between the church and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). On May 21, 1913, the Church became the first nationally chartered organization to affiliate with the BSA, based on a mutual interest in helping boys and young men understand and live their duty to God. Over the past 100 years, countless young men have participated in Boy Scouts through Church-sponsored troops.
The Church and the BSA will partner this month to present an original production about the history and values of scouting. “A Century of Honor,” commemorates the 100-year relationship between the Church and the BSA, and will be staged at the Church’s 21,000 seat Conference Center.
Hundreds of Scouts will participate in the 85-minute program, featuring Scout choirs, historical vignettes, and videos highlighting important events, service and achievements from the past century.
The Church’s Young Men general president, Brother David L. Beck, says Scouting has helped instill Mormon young men with a sense of duty to serve in their families, congregations and communities. “Scouting enables our young men to learn to look outside themselves and to join with people of other faiths and organizations in service,” he said.
“We are pleased to be celebrating this 100th anniversary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said Wayne Brock, chief scout executive, Boy Scouts of America. The Church was the Boy Scouts of America’s first sponsor in 1913, and a century later remains dedicated to the Scouting movement. We thank the Church for their commitment to our mission and join with the rest of the Scouting family to celebrate the immeasurable impact it has had on our nation’s youth as we look forward to our ongoing relationship.”
If you are in the Huntsville, Alabama area, you and your scouts are invited to attend a celebration and rebroadcast of the event on Nov 6, 2013, starting at 6:30 pm at 1804 Sparkman Dr. NW. This is an open house, no solicitations, no donations and no preaching. Just a good time celebrating Scouting and it’s 100 year relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
If you can’t make it to Huntsville check with your local LDS-BSA representatives to find out when a where a celebration will be happening in your area. In the meantime, visit www.scouts100.lds.org for more information.
