Baden Powell’s Vision World Jamboree 1937 Baden Powell served as a general during the Boer War, a campaign that was a dismal failure for the British military. Upon returning to England from Africa, he began searching for ways to provide the British Army with young men who were better prepared to serve their country – in character and ability. Through his books and establishment and the Scout movement, he felt he was succeeding in that vision. The first jamboree took place in 1920. Baden Powell was invited but initially wasn’t very enthused about going. He went anyway, but while there his vision changed. Why? What had happened in recent English history? World War I had take the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides of the lines. At the ‘20 world jamboree, Baden Powell saw boys from many nations living together in harmony. His vision for the future of Scouting evolved, and for the rest of his life, he put his heart and soul into promoting the world brotherhood of Scouting. In 1937 there was a world jamboree in the Netherlands. Just before it opened, one nation sent word that its boys would not be attending. That nation was Germany. Scouting had been disbanded in Germany, and many of its members had joined the Hitler Youth. Baden Powell died just 4 years later and was greatly disappointed that he had not realized the fulfillment of his vision of a world brotherhood of Scouts living in peace. Did Baden Powell’s vision die with him?

Baden Powell’s Vision World Jamboree 2007 No, of course not. To this day we continue to work toward that ideal. Here is a picture taken by a fellow Scoutmaster. He was personally able to experience the fruits of that vision. He shot this particular photo at the World Jamboree on the morning of the 100th anniversary of the birth of scouting – when BP first took his new scouts to Brownsea Island. Three minutes after this shot was taken, 40,000 scouts (from every country around the world) wearing their yellow Sunrise Celebration neckerchiefs, stood and in unison said their scout oath. Being there at that moment fulfilled one of his visions.

A Meaningful Vision . . . Has heart and spirit Leads to a goal Inspires others to action Gives meaning to an effort Is simple Is attainable Can change To be a meaningful vision, it must: have heart and spirit lead to a goal – a destination Needs to inspire others to achieve the vision give meaning to an effort be simple and attainable be flexible enough to allow change – when something unanticipated happens

Vision Statement of the BSA The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law. Here is the Vision statement for the BSA. How well does this Vision fit your core beliefs and attitudes? Your core values? Does the Vision speak to a worthwhile goal? How well does it inspire you to take action? Is it attainable? Can we succeed? Do you think it will change over time? This one did, just last year at our 100th Anniversary of Scouting! Does it have heart and spirit? Are you committed?

Summary Values - Core beliefs Mission - Long-term objective Vision - Picture of success In summary… (while building the cathedral model) The values are the foundation that everything rests on and the buttresses that hold everything together. The mission and vision are built upon the values. These are the core beliefs and desires that motivate what we do. The mission is a statement that contains our values and communicates the long-term objective. It tells why you want to do something. The vision is a picture of success – what it looks like when your mission is complete. It is the plan of action.

Some “Acorns” Here are a few acorns that have grown into sturdy oaks. Who might they be? Tom Johnson Al Best James McCulla, 1942, my father (who was fatherless and Scouting filled some of that void).

Now it’s your turn to create a vision. It’s now your turn to begin developing a vision – and create a plan that will help you make that vision a reality. To do that - we will ask you to create a Wood Badge “ticket”. Our Course Director, Al Best, will next explain some of the details of how we do that. Hopefully through this process, you will discover that the values of scouting form the foundation of your vision. “Begin with the end in mind. We are more in need of a vision . . . and less in need of a map.” Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People