The Honor Camping Society.
an opinion. normal disclaimers.
I wanted to write a little about a something that has given me a place to feel a part, to be in a brotherhood. Probably I would not be so enthusiastic about the Boy Scouts of America, were it not for this program.
What prompted me to opine on this group? I was on the Facebook page, and read some rather disparaging comments about the program. Calling it "Fake", or a "secret society", in direct violation of the Youth Protection Training. Many other things. It bothered me, especially as one poster complaining about the program stated that he had been tapped in years ago, and had just been to the Tapping this past week. (probably the best tapping that I have seen in years)
I am referring to the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, which is the Honor Camping Society for the Pony Express Council, in St. Joseph, MO. The Heart of America Council, based in Kansas City, also has a Mic-O-Say program. Heart of America, also uses, as well as most other councils in the United States, a program called Order of the Arrow. All of these use Native American themed lore to teach core scouting principles to the young men.
In these days, there are those that feel that dressing in native dance outfits and doing dances is somehow stealing from the culture, or, perhaps, seem childish, or, that people are "playing" Indian. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is a program that is specifically enacted to excite boys, to teach them the principles of Scouting, without it seeming like teaching. It is this mystique that draws the boys. It is also a way to keep kids in Scouting. Adults who have roles in the program do so, not for some glory, or to relive a childhood, but to help teach. (but it does make one feel young, participating fully, won't lie)
Those who have the "starring roles" also bear very heavy responsibilities. The goal of every new boy brought in is to get the blue paint of the Runner, so that they can be the ones telling a future group of boys what to do. Usually by the time they get to that position (usually after earning their Eagle Scout Award), they come to understand the heavy responsibility of caring for the young men.
It is a program that honors the traditions of Native Americans. In fact, the man who started it, H. Roe Bartle, had been inducted into a tribe while serving as the Scout Executive for Wyoming in the early 20th Century. He was given the name Lone Bear. He brought the program first to the St. Joseph council, and then to Kansas City. Both programs thrive to this day, independent of each other, while recognizing the other as a "brother tribe", with all of the positions recognized by the other.
An accusation that has frequently been used to describe these groups, is that they are "secret societies". After all, one has to be a member to watch most of their ceremonies. A reason that they are not talked about is because of the mystique for the boys. Most of the leaders will more than likely explain any facet of the program to a leader, to alleviate any concerns that they may have. By reserving ceremonies for those that are "in", it gives an incentive for the boys to 1. Be Active in their Scout Troop, 2. Advance in Scout rank, and 3. Lead and Serve others. By so doing, they may be selected to join.
As to the being a "fake tribe", well, it would apply only if we were trying to pass ourselves off as Native. The dance and the story telling are all framed in native american-like symbolism, but are not meant to represent actual native lore. (though some of the dance songs are actual dance songs) Avoiding even the appearance of representing actual religious symbols is very important.
Again, it is symbolism. For example. Using the term "the Great Spirit" to refer to God, is a way to acknowledge the most important facet of the Scout Oath, Duty to God, without singling out a single faith tradition, or denomination.
This year, I was just one of many leaders who will have shepherded 2,000 scouts through Camp Geiger. Granted that I have been around, but the fact that most of the staff leadership know me, one of thousands of leaders over the years, still amazes me. The staff at Camp Geiger don't go to strut around in heavy leather outfits in July, they go to provide the program for the boys. It isn't the money, or the prestige.
Does it work? The national percentage of Scouts attaining the Eagle award is about 6%. It varies of course, but both Pony Express and Heart of America Councils have nearly double the percentage.
Pony Express Council Mic O Say micosay.org
Heart of America Mic O Say http://www.hoac-bsa.org/mic-o-say
National Order of the Arrow https://oa-bsa.org/
I wanted to write a little about a something that has given me a place to feel a part, to be in a brotherhood. Probably I would not be so enthusiastic about the Boy Scouts of America, were it not for this program.
What prompted me to opine on this group? I was on the Facebook page, and read some rather disparaging comments about the program. Calling it "Fake", or a "secret society", in direct violation of the Youth Protection Training. Many other things. It bothered me, especially as one poster complaining about the program stated that he had been tapped in years ago, and had just been to the Tapping this past week. (probably the best tapping that I have seen in years)
I am referring to the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, which is the Honor Camping Society for the Pony Express Council, in St. Joseph, MO. The Heart of America Council, based in Kansas City, also has a Mic-O-Say program. Heart of America, also uses, as well as most other councils in the United States, a program called Order of the Arrow. All of these use Native American themed lore to teach core scouting principles to the young men.
In these days, there are those that feel that dressing in native dance outfits and doing dances is somehow stealing from the culture, or, perhaps, seem childish, or, that people are "playing" Indian. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is a program that is specifically enacted to excite boys, to teach them the principles of Scouting, without it seeming like teaching. It is this mystique that draws the boys. It is also a way to keep kids in Scouting. Adults who have roles in the program do so, not for some glory, or to relive a childhood, but to help teach. (but it does make one feel young, participating fully, won't lie)
Those who have the "starring roles" also bear very heavy responsibilities. The goal of every new boy brought in is to get the blue paint of the Runner, so that they can be the ones telling a future group of boys what to do. Usually by the time they get to that position (usually after earning their Eagle Scout Award), they come to understand the heavy responsibility of caring for the young men.
It is a program that honors the traditions of Native Americans. In fact, the man who started it, H. Roe Bartle, had been inducted into a tribe while serving as the Scout Executive for Wyoming in the early 20th Century. He was given the name Lone Bear. He brought the program first to the St. Joseph council, and then to Kansas City. Both programs thrive to this day, independent of each other, while recognizing the other as a "brother tribe", with all of the positions recognized by the other.
An accusation that has frequently been used to describe these groups, is that they are "secret societies". After all, one has to be a member to watch most of their ceremonies. A reason that they are not talked about is because of the mystique for the boys. Most of the leaders will more than likely explain any facet of the program to a leader, to alleviate any concerns that they may have. By reserving ceremonies for those that are "in", it gives an incentive for the boys to 1. Be Active in their Scout Troop, 2. Advance in Scout rank, and 3. Lead and Serve others. By so doing, they may be selected to join.
As to the being a "fake tribe", well, it would apply only if we were trying to pass ourselves off as Native. The dance and the story telling are all framed in native american-like symbolism, but are not meant to represent actual native lore. (though some of the dance songs are actual dance songs) Avoiding even the appearance of representing actual religious symbols is very important.
Again, it is symbolism. For example. Using the term "the Great Spirit" to refer to God, is a way to acknowledge the most important facet of the Scout Oath, Duty to God, without singling out a single faith tradition, or denomination.
This year, I was just one of many leaders who will have shepherded 2,000 scouts through Camp Geiger. Granted that I have been around, but the fact that most of the staff leadership know me, one of thousands of leaders over the years, still amazes me. The staff at Camp Geiger don't go to strut around in heavy leather outfits in July, they go to provide the program for the boys. It isn't the money, or the prestige.
Does it work? The national percentage of Scouts attaining the Eagle award is about 6%. It varies of course, but both Pony Express and Heart of America Councils have nearly double the percentage.
Pony Express Council Mic O Say micosay.org
Heart of America Mic O Say http://www.hoac-bsa.org/mic-o-say
National Order of the Arrow https://oa-bsa.org/
Comments
Post a Comment