Pack, Troop and Crew 182
My first Scoutmaster taught the importance of the Scout Oath and
Law using the Neckerchief. He would hold the open neckerchief in his hands and remind the
young scouts of what the last item of clothing they put on when they were getting dressed
of the meeting was, his neckerchief. He said that it was no coincidence that the
neckerchief had 3 sides, just like the three parts of the Scout oath. He would run a side
through his fingers and say "On my honor, I'll do my best. To do my duty to God"
The first and longest side is to remind you of your long standing duty to God. This whole
side is hidden from view, just as your faith is deep inside you. But without that faith,
there is no strength for the rest.
Holding on to the neckerchief by the point he would run the next side through his fingers
and say "To help other people at all times...." This shorter side is to remind
you of your duty to help others. Remember it is some of this duty that shows to others,
just like part of this side of your neckerchief shows. So do your duty to others well so
that people might see the good work you do in the name of Scouting.
The last side also shows. He would say "To keep myself physically strong, mentally
awake and morally straight." This last side is your duty to your self. This shows to
others as well. They will know that by seeing your uniform, you are a young man who is
physically fit. Has a strong moral foundation and who is not apt to fall into the
temptations of drugs and alcohol.
He would then say that this was a means by which we could remember the Scout Oath, every
time we got dressed in uniform. He also gave us a means by which to remember the Scout
Law.
While wrapping the neckerchief up for wear, he said to wrap it tight in small twists, 12
in fact. And to repeat the 12 points of the Scout Law as you did so. Then as you placed
your neckerchief around your neck for wear, the elements of the Scout Oath and Law were
with you. They were in fact part of you.
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