After posting the press release about the release of “A Scout Is…”, Author Todd Shaw sent me a few signed copies of his Scouting book “A Scout Is… Values for a Lifetime” to review and give away to Scouting News readers. Unfortunately in my hustle and bustle of returning to civilian life, moving, buying a car, creating tons of camp promotions material for Glacier’s Edge Council, I had forgot all about the box of books. It wasn’t until I was watching the Adventure Base 100 in Tupelo video today and I saw Todd sporting some Elvis sideburns that I remembered I had some reading to do! Sorry Todd! Oh, and nice Elvis sideburns!

First Impressions of A Scout Is…

When I originally heard about “A Scout Is… Values for a Lifetime” I was impressed that the author was taking time to reach out to the Scouting community and include their experiences. I personally find this style of story telling very interesting as its fun to learn how Scouting influenced others lives. I was looking forward to the book being completed.

Now it’s in my hands.  Author Todd Shaw hasn’t let us down. ”A Scout Is…” is outlined by chapter dedicating one to each major point of the Scout Law and Oath with a few other important chapters mixed in, such as: “Scouting Works” and “Scout Leaders”. Each chapter of this Scouting Book has some of Todd’s experiences followed by some Scouting stories he has gathered from other Scouts and Scouters, with a couple of quotes from various famous folks as well.

From the back of A Scout Is… Values for a Lifetime:

“Author and Eagle Scout Todd Show explores the influence of Scouting and the principles that are found in the Scout Oath and Law: principles that define why the Boy Scouts of America has had such a huge impact on our society for 100 years.

A Scout Is… includes Shaw’s own stories and those from others who have experienced the Scouting way of life. He says, “My adventures in Scouting were fun, and that was what kept me coming back. At the same time, I learned values that have remained with me for a lifetime.”

Show is a master storyteller. He’ll have you laughing and reflecting as he shares:
- The twelve character traits that can strengthen you throughout life.
- The importance of duty to God and country and of service to others.
- The challenge of passing the values and virtues of Scouting to the next generation.

While I haven’t yet started reading “A Scout Is… Values for a Lifetime“, I can honestly say I look forward to diving into it this weekend!  Not only does it look like a good Scouting read, it looks like it could be a tremendous resource for countless values based Scoutmaster Minutes.

Be sure to check back in, or subscribe via RSS or Email to ensure you catch the full review of “A Scout Is… Values for a Lifetime“.  The final review will also include details on how you can win a signed copy!

“A Scout Is..” by Todd Shaw

Todd Shaw (Eagle Scout class of 1980) is writing a book based on the Scout law and the principles taught in Scouting.

The goal of the book is to encourage Boy Scouts (both young & old) to apply the principles of Scouting to their life. As adult leaders, our life lessons can encourage the next generation of Scouts to remain true to the principles that Scouting teaches.

It will be written in a motivational / inspirational style book that includes famous quotes or sayings that go along with each theme of the Scout Law and/or Scout Oath, and (this is where Todd needs your help) stories from adults who went through Scouting and who have applied the principles of the Scout Law and Oath to their life.”

If you have any stories to share with him, please visit www.ascoutis.com and download the form online or to view sample stories. Please have the questionnaire back to Todd before June 30th , 2009.

Todd is also the author of “Out of the Box and Loving it”, and co-author of “The Values Driven Life”. Todd also has many contributions in Orlando’s Magic VP, Pat Williams’ book, “Coaching your kids to be Leaders”.

Last December Scouting News was trying to spread the word about an essay contest being run at ascoutis.org.

A Scout Is … has set up an essay contest that hopes to encourage scouts to look at their own lives and those of their fellow scouts. The essays focus on the living of the Scout Law and living Lives of Service. The essay contest was started as a way to remember Nigel Clarke, who died last Halloween at the age of 15. Nigel was a star scout who lived the Scout Law in his daily life. As part of his memorial service, his father answered the question for his son, “How have you lived the Scout Law since you last Scoutmaster Conference?”

The 2008 essay contest winners have been announced!

Scout Law Category Winner – “My Chance to Be a Friend” – submitted by Achinthya, Troop 765

A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. This is the pledge that Boy Scouts across the country recite at every weekly meeting. They are asked to live it in life, but some of them are hard at times. This is my story about my difficulty with ‘friendly’.

Imagine a middle school at lunch, bustling with people. The lunch lines crowded, on a sweltering day. Got the picture?

Read the entire 2008 Scout Law Category Winning essay.

Scouts Helping Scouts Category Winner – submitted by Collin, Troop 507

In 2002, when I first joined Boy Scout Troop 507 at St. Bede’s, I had the same emotions as any other Cub Scout joining the Boy Scouts. Anxiety. Fear. Excitement. Worry. Anxiety over whether or not I would be accepted into the troop. Fear that I would be rejected. Excitement over the fact I was going to the next level of Scouting. And worry over the negative aspects of Boy Scouts. However, all those emotions were put to rest by one person, a senior Scout to be specific. If it weren’t for him, I would never have become an Eagle Scout. I will always be grateful to him for helping me and countless other Scouts become more comfortable with Boy Scouting and teaching us invaluable skills that we would need later in life.

Read the entire 2008 Scouts Helping Scouts Category Winning essay.

There were no entries in the “Scouts Helping Others” category, and three runner ups in the “Scout Law” category.

Did you miss out on the 2008 essay contests? Don’t delay, the 2009 contest is open, with the same three categories. The essay contests are run annually, with a submission deadline of December 15th and winners being announced in January. Contest monetary awards are provided by the Nigel C Clarke endowment and in his memory, and by sponsoring councils, districts and troops.

Learn more about the “A Scout Is…” essay contests and learn how to submit your entry at http://ascoutis.org.