Boy Scouts

The Boy Scouts were important in my life.  I got a copy of the Boy Scout handbook and read it.  It said I could join when I was 10.  It said there were ranks that could be achieved: Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life and Eagle.  I achieved the rank of Life but never Eagle.  There were several aquatic-related merit badges that were required for Eagle and I was not very proficient nor enthusiastic about water.

My troop was sponsored by a local Lutheran church.  The Scoutmaster was an even-tempered man, an employee of the US Postal Service.

Later, I was married and we had two daughters.  As a 5th grade teacher, I wanted summer employment to give us some income and I got jobs at a Boy Scout summer camp. 

I have read that the "Boy Scouts of America" are now the "Scouts of America" and include some 77,000 girls as members.