Scouting

I was a scout from age 10-18, so thats 8 years.
For me it was an incredible experience, as its been built up on so much history and knowledge over the years, you cant help but learn so much from it.
There was a badge u could earn for almost anything, from being an expert on animals to being an expert on surviving in the veld with nothing...

The culmination of my scouting career was when i was 17 I led 10 scouts from my group in a competition against 10 scouts from a different area.
We had to survive in the bush for 12 days while still completing tasks and competing against each other. One of the tasks was who could build the best bridge across the river, from only woden poles and rope, obviously that takes alot of skill and physical assertion.
Halfway thru the competition i suffered a 3rd degree burn while cooking... but i was the leader of my group so i wasnt allowed to leave, a little harsh i thought at the time, but I now realise this gave me a very strong mental fortitude...and now I never give up, never back down.

Why I bring up scouting, is that in my opinion it seems the youth of today seem a little bit lost, they have become disconnected from nature and there seems to be a general lack of integrity or respect amongst them...Its because old fashioned values like integrity, loyalty, honesty, perseverance and honour have become diluted in this "MTV" generation.
Also nature itself is very rooting and teaches you alot about life, but the youth of today seem to go from their computer to the club to the fast food joint and then the process is repeated.

Scouting is a big part of the man I am now. My sons will be scouts. My daughters will be girl guides. Good old fashioned values are very important me, and im not quite sure how yet, but i will get this way of living back into peoples minds. Sometimes it seems like moral degradation is all around us, but integrity, honesty, respect, honour, loyalty and courage will shine through.
This is part of my mission.