What's ahead?

JAMES L. GORDON COUNCIL
What's ahead?
by: CSE Mario Esquillo

This is the first part of my three-part article about our own Local Council.

. . .don't worry, be happy!!!

A happy scout leader may almost always turn out to be a GOOD LEADER, you may or you may not agree with me, but certainly you will agree if I say, Happiness is what makes every volunteer scout work!

Whether we like it or not, most of us need to be inspired before starting to move-on, that is the nature of a scout. A scout leader needs to be happy in order to work, and in order to be happy, He must be INSPIRED.

In anycase, inspiration may always come in different forms. Each of us may look at one event or one place or one person as our own source of inspiration. Once inspired, Scout Leaders tend to move with glance of joy in everything that they do, and that is where the real inspiration takes place. Simply for being inspired they will then be able to attract others to feel the same. Inspiration may not be always contageous but it is good enough to send the message to motivate others to look for their own inspiration in order to live this scouting life with joy.

Given this chance, I hope to see scouts with smiles in their faces, because that is what inspires me the most, second I would also like to share my smiles to them, because that will start the process of motivation.

I am hoping to ignite happiness in the circle of the James L. Gordon Council. Happiness is very contageous, it has no PRICE TAG, rather it is PRICE LESS and I believe, this will serve as the fuel to start a new and a better chapter for the Council.

Looking ahead, lets start by not worrying too much, let the FUN begin, and everything else will follow!

note: first information contribution
Boy Scouts of the Philippines
A glimpse of our History

Take time to look back to where we started and start looking forward to where want this momevemnet to be in the near future.

Philippine Boy Scout Logo. Laging Handa (Always Prepared)The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), or Kapatirang Scout ng Pilipinas in Filipino, is the National Scout Association for boys and young men of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth and adults the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute to nation-building.

The BSP was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 111 on October 31, 1936. Its predecessor was the Philippine Council chartered by the Boy Scouts of America in 1923 through the work of Filipino, American, and Chinese businessmen and interest groups.


History

Scouting history of the Philippines can be traced back to the American occupation of the islands. The first documented formation of a scout troop in the islands was that of the Lorillard Spencer troop of Zamboanga formed in 1914 by a U.S. Navy Lieutenant named Sherman Kiser.

Sherman Kiser was initially assigned to escort American charity worker Caroline Spencer in Sulu. Mrs Spencer saw how Filipino boys could benefit from Scouting and discussed her ideas with Kiser. This suggestion was natural for Mrs. Spencer as her son, Lorillard Spencer was quite active in Scouting in the United States, hence the name of the troop. Kiser was reassigned however to Zamboanga, but he followed through with Mrs. Spencer's suggestion and formed a Scout troop composed of young Muslim boys. Upon learning of the formation of a new troop, Mrs. Spencer sent monetary support to purchase uniform and construct a headquarters.

More troops were organized through the years, mostly organized by American missionaries and servicemen in the island. The growing number of scouts was the reason why the Rotary Club of Manila wrote to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in New York. The letter was a request to formalize Scouting in the Philippines starting with Manila.

In 1923, the Philippine Council, BSA was formed. The new council was initially funded through the help of various civic-organizations namely: the YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Masons, Elks, Filipino and Chinese Chambers of Commerce, the U.S. Army, the Catholic and Protestant churches, and the American Legion.

1931, experimentations on Sea Scouting and Cub Scouting.

1933, the Philippine's first participation in an international Scouting event. The Philippine Council sent delegates to the 4th World Scout Jamboree in Budapest, Hungary, as part of the American contingent.

1934, Rover Scouting was introduced. BSA's Shanghai Scout district was placed under the supervision of the Philippine Council.

1936, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines was founded by virtue of Commonwealth Act 111 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The charter members are Joseph E. Stevenot, Jorge B. Vargas, Carlos P. Romulo, General Vicente Lim, Judge Manuel Camus, Arsenio N. Luz, and Gabriel Daza.

1953, first Wood Badge course was conducted at Camp Gre-Zar in Quezon City.

1954, 1st Philippine National Scout Jamboree held in Rolling Hills, Balara, Quezon City.

1959, 10th World Scout Jamboree held in Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna. First world scout jamboree held in Asia.

1963, the 24-member delegation of the BSP to the 11th World Scout Jamboree in Marathon, Greece, perished in a plane crash off the coast of Bombay, India.

1993, the Philippines hosted the 1st ASEAN Scout Jamboree

1997, the 2nd World Scout Parliamentary Union held in Manila.


Ranks, program and ideals
Scouts must earn the Membership Badge prescribed for the program they belong prior to working on the ranks.

Ranks of KAB Scouting:

Young Usa (or Young Deer)
Growing Usa
Leaping Usa

Ranks of Boy Scouting:
Tenderfoot
Second Class
First Class
Outdoorsman or Airman or Seaman
Venturer or Air Venture or Sea Venture
Eagle

Ranks of Senior Scouting:
Explorer
Pathfinder
Outdoorsman or Airman or Seaman
Venturer or Air Venture or Sea Venture
Eagle

The BSP offers the following programs:
KID Scouting (Kabataang Imumulat-Diwa or Children to be Introduced to Virtues) is for boys 5 to 6 years of age.

KAB Scouting (Kabataang Alay sa Bayan or Children Offered to the Nation) is for boys 7 to 10 years of age.

Boy Scouting is for boys 10 to 17 years of age.

Senior Scouting is for boys 13 to 17 years of age.

Rover Scouting is for young men and women 17 to 23 years of age with a Rover Peers division for adults ages 24 and up.

Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/boy-scouts-of-the-philippines