Of any one hundred boys
who become Scouts, it must be confessed that thirty will drop out in their first
year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure, but later in life, all of these
will remember that they had been in Scouting and will speak well of the
program.
Of the one hundred,
only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the
one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting,
these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a
church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred
will become pastors.
Each of the one hundred
will learn something from Scouting, and all will develop hobbies that will add
interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve
in the military, and in varying degrees, profit from their Scout training. At
least one will use it to save another person's life, and many may credit it for
saving their own.
Four of the
one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he
valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation
through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred
boys will become adult leaders and will give leadership to thousands of
additional boys.
One in four
boys in America will become Scouts, but it is interesting to know
that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion and politics, three out
of four were Scouts.
This story will never end.
Like the 'Golden Pebble' of service dropped into the human sea, it will continue
to radiate in ever-widening circles, influencing the characters of men through
unending time."