Our troop is chartered and fully a part of the Boy Scouts of America, we have adopted the philosophy of “Traditional Scouting” which makes our Troop something very special, and allows our members to benefit not only from what modern mainstream Scouting has to offer, but also, the best from Scouting’s past and its founders, like Lord Robert Baden Powell, Earnest Thompson Seton, and Daniel Carter Beard.
Traditional Scouting it is an attempt to present Scouting as the “Game with a Purpose” that was intended by its early pioneers, but with changes to compensate for advances in health & safety practices, environmental concerns, and light-weight, light impact camping technologies. The “Game” emphasizes traditional Scouting activities such as camping, hiking, and wilderness activities, and as such necessitates the acquisition of a variety of outdoor skills, including map, compass and orienteering skills, fire building, knife axe and woodsman’s tools skills, wilderness survival skills, environmental responsibility and “leave no trace” camping skills, etc. and also helps build good citizenship skills.
An important, integral and fun part of the Scouting program is the acquisition of the official uniform, and the equipment necessary in order to “play the game” of Scouting. Just as would be the case in becoming a part of a sports team, a uniform and specialized equipment are required, and should be obtained as soon as possible. In Traditional Scouting, more so than in “mainstream” Scouting, the uniform and equipment guidelines should be adhered to. Any questions or concerns concerning uniforms or equipment should be directed to the Scoutmaster. Please keep in mind that the uniform and equipment items specified are all part of an integrated “system” of camping and outdoor gear, all of which is necessary in order to “Play the Game” and also the keep safe and comfortable at the same time. Thank you, and welcome to the Adventure of Scouting!
Omnia mea mecum porto
“All my things I carry with me”
Our Latin Credo carried a dual meaning. The obvious meaning, “All my things I carry with me,” is very appropriate for it describes our minimalist backpacking philosophy and desire to rid ourselves, physically, of burdensome impedimenta, extra unnecessary camping equipment, etc. Our traditional version of “Playing the Game of Scouting” requires that on every outdoor event, each Scout carry all of his own equipment, as well as his share of patrol and troop equipment. This requires the Scouts to decide what is absolutely necessary and what can be done without, and necessitates cooperation, adaptation, invention, in using only the equipment that can be carried.
But this credo has a deeper meaning, perhaps not quite as obvious, as explained in the following excerpts from classic Romance and Greek philosophy:
Cicero, in his Paradoxa Stoicorum 1.1.8, tells a story about Bias, one of the “seven sages” of ancient Greece:
I shall also often praise that famous sage, Bias I think, who is included among the seven. When the enemy had captured his homeland and others were fleeing in such a way as to carry many of their possessions with them, and he was told by someone to do likewise, he said, “I am indeed doing it; for I am carrying all my things with me.”
nec non saepe laudabo sapientem illum, Biantem, ut opinor, qui numeratur in septem; cuius quom patriam Prienam cepisset hostis ceterique ita fugerent, ut multa de suis rebus asportarent, cum esset admonitus a quodam, ut idem ipse faceret, ‘Ego vero’, inquit, ‘facio; nam omnia mecum porto mea.’
Valerius Maximus 7.2.ext.3 seems to follow and elaborate on Cicero:
When enemies had invaded his homeland Priene and all (at least those whom the savagery of war had permitted to get away safe) were fleeing loaded with the weight of their precious possessions, Bias was asked why he was carrying none of his goods with him. He said, “Indeed, all my goods I carry with me,” for he was carrying them in his heart, not on his shoulders, things not to be seen by the eyes but to be valued by the spirit.
In his Epistulae Morales 9.18-19, Seneca tells this story about the Greek philosopher Stilpon (c. 380-300 B.C.):
For when his homeland was captured, his children lost, his wife lost, and he was walking away from the public conflagration by himself and yet unconcerned, Demetrius (whose nickname was Poliorcetes, after his destruction of cities) asked him if he had lost anything. He said, “All my goods are with me.” Behold a strong and stalwart man! He was victorious over the victory of his enemy. “I have lost nothing,” he said: he made Demetrius doubt whether he had actually conquered. “All of my goods are with me”: justice, virtue, prudence, the very fact that he considered nothing good that could be snatched away.
Just as these classical sages acknowledge that all of their most important “possessions” are carried within, we as Scouts also understand that while the uniform, equipment, knives, axes, compasses, tools, flags, banners, etc. are important game pieces in the “Game of Scouting,” the real important acquisitions, such as the habit of living in accordance with the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, and the fundamental principals of Honor, Respect for the beliefs of others, Duty to God and Country, Duty to others, and duty towards oneself, are those that we carry with us, always, on the inside.