Leadership Lessons From the Boy Scouts

Over the past 100 years the Boy Scouts of America have taught hundreds of thousands of boys to be men of character through the Scout Law. As a former Boy Scout I can still, some 40 years later, remember the twelve points of the Scout Law I had to learn to earn the rank of Tenderfoot.

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

As I think about the challenges of leading a summer camp, those twelve words still resonate with me as much as they did when I first learned them.

Am I a leader who can be trusted by those I work for and those who work for me?
Am I loyal to the organization and to those who I lead?
When I deal with others am I helpful, friendly, courteous, kind and cheerful?
Do I obey the rules and policies that govern my camp and follow the direction of my leaders?  
Am I thrifty in how I manage the camp's resources?
Do I exhibit the bravery to do what's right and hard rather than what's popular and easy?
Do I care for myself physically, mentally and spiritually?