Feb 032010
Check out this promo video for the biggest Scout-O-Rama in the USA, by the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America for Scouting’s 100th anniversary in 2010.
This video features David Archuleta and leaders of the community and of the GSLC. Features footage of Utah Boys Scouts from 1925. -produced by Robert Starling.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZsQLDyVNSs[/youtube]
Thanks, anon! 
This sure brings back the memories. My son was a cub scout and we held our Scout-o-Rama each year at the Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, CA, against the back drop of the beautiful San Gabriel mountains. This was a great all-day event for the whole family. Nice to see David promoting this event.
Susan M.(Quote)
Nothing but the best as your spokes person for Scouting!!
china80(Quote)
This is AWESOME!
marc(Quote)
Really really awesome ! thanks for telling us about this Anon
archiefandoc(Quote)
Thanks for sharing. That is so awesome that he is promoting Scouts and Eagle scouting! What a great promo for such a great organization!
Lynn(Quote)
Great to see confirmation that David earned his Eagle Scout badge. He’s just such a well-rounded guy.
ozarko(Quote)
Even though David only appears for a few moments to offer his endorsement of Scouting in this promotional video, the real message of his endorsement comes across if – when watching the entire video – we consider some of the qualities we admire in David.
The video makes the point that Scouting helps boys to “build timeless values – character, integrity… Even as they get older, “the things they learn in scouting…make them greater citizens and really good people.”
Thank you David for taking the time to support this wonderful organization – of which you have been part – to help shape the values and character of our nation’s youth. They are our future.
Cake(Quote)
I wonder if David would belong to an organization that prohibited Blacks or Jews. Well are the Boy Scouts really any better? It’s polocies are highly discriminatory – as a private organization it can do this legally, but does that make it right?
jwipe(Quote)
Jwipe, the Boy Scout Oath is “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country. To help other people at all times, to obey the Scout Law, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
The Boy Scout Law is “A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”
Which of these statements do you suggest David reject?
If you’re refering to the BSA’s policy on not approving girls, athiests, agnostics, or homosexuals for membership please continue reading…
According to the BSA, “The Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs were designed to meet the emotional, psychological, physical, and other needs of boys (not girls) between the ages of 8 and 14.”
According to the Bylaws of the BSA, Declaration of Religious Principle: “The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, ‘On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.’”
According to the BSA’s “Youth Leadership” policy: “Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. The conduct of youth members must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law, and membership in Boy Scouts of America is contingent upon the willingness to accept Scouting’s values and beliefs.”
Do you think it’s “right” to suggest the BSA forfeit it’s belief system and legal rights because their membership policies upset the agenda of other interest groups?
Cake(Quote)
As I’ve stated, the BSA’s policies may not be illegal (at this point). It’s a private organization, and they can do as they choose. Many years ago private clubs did not allow certain minorities to join – that used to be legal and supported by the majority. Today it would seem obscene. The policy of gays in the military is slowly changing – years from now we will look back and think those former policies were obscene as well. The first two statements have nothing wrong with them – it’s the way the BSA interprets them that I have a problem with. What’s especially troublesome is that they WILL allow gays to join, but they are not allowed into leadership positions. That’s like the laws that used to fire teachers for being gay. I used to be a Boy Scout myself – I never thought of them as a particularly religious organization, yet they have a policy against allowing atheists or agnostics to join. I don’t have an issue with keeping out girls – girls have their own organization they can join.
jwipe(Quote)
Jwipe, as I understand the BSA’s policy on homosexuals, Boy Scouting makes no effort to discover the sexual orientation of any person and the BSA application forms for youth membership and adult leadership positions do not inquire about the applicants’ sexual orientation. So, in a way, it is similar to the US Military’s policy of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” However, one is required to be 18 years old to join the Military and positions of leadership are not over children. I agree that public school teachers should not be fired just because of their sexual orientation – but public schools are not private organizations.
If your argument against the BGA is based on the way the Organization interprets its own bylaws, I’m assuming your point of contention is the the way it defines “morally straight” and how a Scout does his “best to do my duty to God…” If that’s the case, then you are arguing theology.
Cake(Quote)
It is true they have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” type policy – since “truthful” and “honest” are not part of the scout law, I guess that is acceptable (sigh). I assume from your statement you are ok with firing a teacher from a private school if it is discovered they are homosexual. And it is not a matter of theology (except in the case of the atheist/agnostic issue) – it’s a matter of specific religious beliefs. A member can certainly believe in God and not believe homosexuality is immoral. If you want to get technical, it’s not even clear that homosexuality is considered immoral in the New Testament – that point is highly debatable (and debated).
jwipe(Quote)
Truthful and honest are not part of the Scout Law? Tell me then, how would you define “Trustworthy?”
Private schools are generally privately funded – not by state, local, or national government. They retain the right to select their students as well as their teachers. Why should – as an example – a religious private school continue to employ an avowed homosexual when their religious belief are diametrically opposed to homosexuality? And it is a matter of theology if we take Merriam-Webster’s definition of such: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience.
And you’re correct, there is scholarly debate over Paul’s use of the obscure Greek term arsenokoitēs, as well as malakos and what is para physin in God’s eyes. I’m not ignorant of the debate. But surely you’re aware that David is a Mormom and of the position the Morman Church has on homosexuality. Surely David is aware of his Church’s teaching on the subject. That leads me to question the intention of your original comment. Do you believe David shouldn’t support the Boy Scouts because they “discriminate” against certain minorities – namely gays? Are you hoping he becomes more active in defending something his religion speaks against? Do you think David’s the type to sit down for a scholarly debate over the meaning of “arsenokoitēs” or is he the type to just take what he believes to be God’s word at face value?
I’m trying to find out where your heart’s at, jwipe. Some of David’s gay fans (not saying you are or aren’t either way – that’s irrelevant to me) seem disappointed that he isn’t turning out to be the gay poster boy they’d hoped for based on earlier internet rumors and speculation about his sexuality – regardless of what David has said about himself. That smacks of agenda to me.
Cake(Quote)
I was so happy to be able to show my son (that’s on his way to earning his Eagle Scout) this video. He’s a little jealous of my time following David, so he sometimes brushes David off if I have any ‘breaking news’ about THE greatest singer on the planet (thank you very much!). Thank you for this post! I loved it! Congrats David on many years of hard work in your journey to Eagle…it’s a great accomplishment and example of your commitment level and work ethic.
SherylNotCrow(Quote)
Hey Marc!!!!!!!!!! How are you buddy! Hope all is well with you!
SherylNotCrow(Quote)
Almost forgot. Before David I never been too crazy about Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts simply because I am too overly protective of my children and I want to be with them 24/7. I know I have to let go some day. So I never wanted my son to join the Boy Scouts.
Knowing David as much as we all do, his character, his beliefs, his moral standards, his faith in our Saviour, his love of family, his love of humanity, etc., made me change my mind.
Because of David and my friend Sheryl (yes you) I completely changed my mind and in turn allowed my son to join the Boy Scouts. He was totally surprised to say the least.
I believe in EVERYTHING they stand for 100%!!
china80(Quote)
Cake I was just raising the question – not judging David for his beliefs. I’m perfectly aware he’s Mormon, and I’m all too aware of the Mormon Church’s stance on homosexuality. They’ve spent millions of dollars making all Californians aware of those views. I would be willing to bet David is not even aware of the BSA’s policies on these issues. I know I certainly wasn’t when I was a member. I just wanted everyone else to be aware before they tout praises on the organization. I think too many folks take things at face value and don’t question enough. If people are aware and still believe what they do is right, that’s their prerogative.
jwipe(Quote)
Thank you for clarifying your position, jwipe. I appreciate the lively, good-natured debate and sympathize with your feelings about Proposition 8. Those millions of dollars could have been put to much better use.
Cake(Quote)
Thanks for sharing article
School Badges(Quote)