The Boys Behind the Popcorn

A hundred years ago, the first edition of the Boy Scout Handbook asked: "Do you believe in loyalty, courage, and kindness? Would you like to form habits that will surely make your success in life?" It still states the same thing in Evan Fine's copy and millions of boys through the decades along with him have answered "Yes." The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 by W. D. Boyce and quickly became the largest youth organization in the United States with issues arising almost as quickly.

When the founder departed, he turned the Boy Scout corporation over to the members of the Executive Board with the stipulation that the Boy Scouts would not discriminate on the basis of race or creed. BSA then established the position that African Americans should be included, but that local communities should follow the same policies that they followed in the school systems; thus a system of segregation was implemented into the Boy Scouts with there being "colored troops" until the late 1940s. With troops in the South going so far as to threaten to leave the organization and burn their uniforms if black Scouts were permitted. Further trouble resulted as the BSA had early ties with the YMCA, a firmly Protestant organization, thus the Catholic church initially forbid their boys from joining, and later only allowed them if troops were under Catholic adult leadership.

Despite these troubles, the Scouts quickly overcome them and have had profound influence in political affairs, having received a congressional charter along with serving at every presidential inauguration since Wilson's in some ceremonial role. During WW1, Scouts were called to look for unauthorized units, used as message runners, and coast watchers. They also sold around $352 million of war bonds and $101 million War Saving Stamps. Additionally, during the Great Depression they provided services to assist relief agencies and training for the Civilian Conservation Corps.

In regards to their current activities, The Guardian states that Boy Scouts sell either popcorn or fertilizer, similar to Girl Scouts and their selling of cookies. When asked about this, Evan, a self-proclaimed almost Eagle Scout (2 months away to be precise) stated "We do? That is funny as hell. We don't sell things--It's a miracle we can even get patrol lines organized..." (When questioned about whether that was a Scout problem or an Evan problem he responded rather rudely).  He also mentioned that the Scouts do a variety of activities from "communal cooking" to whitewater rafting and how the "firsties" share a unique love-hate relationship.

All in all, despite the "Boys Behind the Popcorn" not being aware of the popcorn, it appears that the Boy Scouts of America have not only had a profound impact on US history but are also a really fun group to join. As of last year membership was opened to girls, so maybe I'll take up Evan's offer and join his troop. Though I think I'm a bit too late to be an Eagle Scout...