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DEL.ICIO.USOnce a scout, always a scout
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Franklyn C. Robinson’s no jock. He doesn’t play football, basketball or run track for Valdosta State University.
The 2006 graduate of Central Gwinnett High has done something that carries just as much cache as being the campus athlete, though.
He’s an Eagle Scout.
And among friends he’s made as a freshman at Valdosta State, that’s pretty cool. “They congratulate me,” Robinson, 18, wrote in an e-mail. “And they think it’s great that I am still involved in Scouts.”
We met three years ago when I wrote a story about attempts by the Scout’s Northeast Georgia Council to grow scouting in the burbs, especially among minorities. Robinson, then 15, was really rooted in the program. At the time, he’d just been designated an Eagle Scout. It’s a rank, that, on average, only about two out of every 100 Scouts earn.
Gwinnett, which is served by the Scouts’ Atlanta and Northeast Georgia councils, has 158 Eagle Scouts; the county has about 23,000 Scouts.
Robinson’s Eagle project was done in conjunction with the Gwinnett Adopt-A-Stream program. He attached labels to 252 storm drains to warn Lawrenceville-area residents about the dangers of pollution. He also passed out educational streamers in neighborhoods.
This young man has been involved in scouting since he was 6. His father, Jonathan Robinson, an adult Scout leader for Troop 573 in Lawrenceville, introduced him to it.
The family epitomizes what Scouting is all about. For them, it’s a family affair, a way to learn about leadership, community service, personal responsibility, ethics — all those things that fall under the big umbrella of values.
The Atlanta Area Council of Boy Scouts authorized a December study to weigh the program’s effectiveness. It involved 953 Boy Scouts and their parents from a 13-county area that takes in a slice of Gwinnett.
Where it concerns program efficiency, the study found that: 84 percent of Boy Scouts parents felt that Scouting helped their son become a better leader. 78 percent of parents agreed that Scouting helped their son value family activities. 83 percent of parents agreed or agreed strongly that Scouting helped their son better serve the community.
My son, Miles, tried Scouting a few years back. It never really took, and we didn’t force the issue. The experience gave me insight into the worthy goals of the program, though. The lessons and exercises on self-esteem, service, preparedness, discipline and manly virtues were moral blueprints. Ideals to live by.
So it’s easy to see why the parents and the Scouts who took part in the Atlanta Area Council’s survey responded so positively. They see their sons grow up to be well-rounded young men with skills and values that we don’t see enough of, that too often are written off as “square.”
They grow up to be like Franklyn, a finance accounting major. He serves as assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 573 in Lawrenceville, his old group. He’s active in The Order of the Arrow, the Scouts national honor society.
“I’ll probably be involved all my life,” he told me. “It’s fun and it’s a chance to meet people from all over. Most of my guy friends who were involved in Scouts at one time wish they’d never quit.”
THE BADIE TOUR His “chi” is unbalanced. And Rick Badie, your AJC columnist, plans to do something about it. The Badie Tour pulls up to Dragon Acupuncture & Herb at 10 a.m. Wednesday. It’s at 3365 Steve Reynolds Blvd., Suite 106, in Duluth. Jessica Lee, a licensed acupuncturist, will see what she can do about Rick’s insomnia, headaches, shoulder pain and whatever else ails him. Read about his needling adventure in print and online Thursday.
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Comments
By Gary Harsanyi
January 23, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Mr. Badie, you got the article of the values of Scouting exactly right. The value of Scouting cannot be measured. I am an Eagle Scout and my son is an Eagle Scout ..he has gone on to graduate from the Naval Academy and is a Lt. Commander with the SEALS. In everything that he does, I can see the values instilled in him that got their beginning in Scouting.
By Andy Chappina
January 24, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this
Mr. Badie -
I agree very strongly with your comments and especially those about Franklyn. Of course, I will admit I’m somewhat biased since I am the Scoutmaster of Troop 573, my own son is an Eagle Scout and I have known and admired Franklyn for many years. What is important to note though is that Franklyn is not unique in that those that have joined Scouting and followed through with the Program all come away with a core set of values that is unmatched in the rest of society.
Those that achieve the rank of Eagle carry with them a tremendous amount of value to offer to our society. It is unfortunate these days that this fine program has been demonized by those who never take the time to understand what it is that we, as Scout Leaders, are trying so hard to teach these fine young men. In my experience, every boy I have come into contact with that has been able to achieve the rank of Eagle has turned out to be a wonderful, outstanding and trustworthy individual. They are natural leaders that will make our country proud.
I consider myself lucky to be among those who have the opportunity to work with these young men, watch them grow and learn, and most of all, watch them suceed.
By Claus Staalner
January 24, 2007 09:47 AM | Link to this
Great Article - I have two sons one an Eagle and one almost an Eagle. Both kids are 4th generation Scouters and 3rd generation Eagle Scouts. There is no other program available to your folks in the United states that teaches values and educates these youg guys in true leadership, where not only is it taught - but it is practiced as well - and the young guys have first hand experience in practicing the skills. Immagine a future employer (of which I personally am one)what a value a company gets…..
By Trey Gregory
January 24, 2007 01:14 PM | Link to this
In my experience, some of the most well-rounded men that it has been my privilege to know were Eagle Scouts. I myself was coached by my father along the trail to become an Eagle Scout.
My older son is on this trail, and my younger will start next year. We will encourage them in scouting, much as we also do in school, since it is our belief that the values & skills they acquire in scouting will help give them a rock to stand on in a world of shifting sands.
It is unfortunate that some have chosen to villify the BSA in the name of political correctness. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled in favor of scouts, however the attacks continue. More objective press like this is needed to accurately communicate the positive values of the BSA.
Thank you for this excellent writeup, Mr. Badie. Score one for the good guys…
By Wish it were so
January 24, 2007 02:40 PM | Link to this
We love the concept of scouting and have honored those who have made Eagle most of my life - brother, nephews, etc. Unfortunately, the concept has not been brought home to my boys in their scouting endeavors. We have participated in dens, packs, etc that are either very poorly run and attended by the parents that make it great, or are so pushy that you feel guilty if you can’t lead everything. My husband tried to be a den leader and got no parental support when our son was small, then we moved to a more involved pack but our boys felt very pushed and coerced.
One scoutmaster told our oldest that only as a scout would he ever make it in the world, and likened it to a dog team where only the leader enjoyed the view. We honor every person’s place in the “dog team”, and were horrified by that portrayal. We have really backed off from scouting, and hope that we can help our boys be like the ones described above, but it would have been nice to have the support of a great institution like BSA. I guess it’s not for everyone, but it saddened me. Thanks for the good stories, Rick.
By TIM ROSE
January 24, 2007 07:12 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Badie, Thanks for the wonderful article on one of my “brothers”. It was great to read after losing another “brother” recently, President Gerald Ford was also an Eagle Scout. I received mine in ‘82 and talk about it with PRIDE ! whenever asked. My 10 yr old son is i scout now and nothing would make me prouder than to be able to pin an Eagle on his chest ! Long live the program.
By Virginia Smith
January 26, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
I was saddened to see the comment posted by Wish It Were So. Unfortunately, in a volunteer organization such as BSA, the program quality is directly related to the dedication of the adults who lead it. Many Troops and Packs are outstanding examples of the spirit of Scouting in that those involved give their time, talent, spirit, energy, patience and yes, money, to help develop the character of the youth they serve. We are blessed in our county to have a strong and vibrant scouting organization helping to shape the future of countless young men. I have dedicated the past 12 years to spending quality time with my sons. One made Eagle and the other did not. Unfortunately, scouting isn’t for everybody, as Mr. Badie stated. But for those for whom it is a good “fit”, scouting provides immeasurable benefits. I am proud to say that I know Franklyn Robinson and that he is like another son to me, and one of my son’s best friends. I am proud to be associated with this fine organization and with the people who make it great.