By Mike Walton want to introduce you to indeed a re-establish an International “World Scouter,” one of many within course and served as Program Director Ithe BSA. This particular Scouter is a for the National Camping School in the former military officer, martial artist, Asia-Pacific Region. Hollywood stuntman, and proud head cheerleader for the ideals of and During his nearly 30-year career as an what it truly means to live Scouting. He’s award-winning military journalist, his also a journalist, which is another reason articles on the plight of Amerasian why I want you to meet him – for we Children and Child Abuse in the military hope you will read a lot of Dan Coberly’s won critical acclaim. He traveled around insight, experiences and knowledge as the world several times, serving overseas this magazine reaches more and more and stateside as a Council Executive Scouters. Board Member on International Camp Staff Selection committees and as an Coberly, the son of a career Army Special International Representative for several Forces Soldier, started his formal BSA councils. By age 36, he had attained Scouting adventure in the Panama Canal the highest Army enlisted rank of Zone. Before that, he participated with Sergeant Major and the rare distinction Cubs in Munich, Germany. Years later, of concurrently holding a Presidential he enlisted in the Army, carrying on his Army Reserve direct commission as a family’s strong military tradition Captain. For many years, he was an offi- of service and patriotism pre- cial Army representative to the BSA. dating the American Revolution. He received As a Scouter, Dan has held nearly every an Army officer’s com- volunteer position from to mission but retained Scoutmaster, from acting Council his enlisted rank and President to BSAAmbassador and NESA rose up to become Regent. For more than 20 years, he one of the Army’s served as a member of several BSA leading public affairs National and International Committees. advisors before retir- He also served on various BSA Western ing after 28 years of and Southern Regional Committees. Dan service. is perhaps best known for leading, edit- ing, or advising several national BSA Not many people can say publications such as the that they have lived a World Journal, Jamboree Today, Leader’s Scouting adventure in more than Update, three NOAC publications, and 30 countries, including places in Europe, the NESA Eagletter. One of Dan’s arti- the Far East, South America and Africa, cles lives on forever on the internet: “A or that they have also been a leader in 12 Scouter For All Time” is a moving eulo- BSA councils. For 45 years, Dan Coberly gy of the late “Green Bar” Bill Hillcourt. has done just that. I first ran across Dan Coberly during a Dan’s Scouting adventures began during national Scout Jamboree, but I did not the early 1960s in the jungles of the know he was in the military – and in the Panama Canal Zone. An Army brat, he same military specialty as myself (public was a member of Chiriqui Lodge #391 affairs) – until several years later when until his family returned to Europe in the we both found ourselves supporting the 1970s where he became an Eagle Scout same military command in southern in Troop 62, Wurzburg Germany. There, Europe. Over a twenty-year period, Dan he served as a Chapter and Lodge Chief and I have traveled many of the same of Black Eagle Lodge #482. During the paths – the ones with the Army as well as 1980s, he and the Scout Executive those within our shared Scouting experi- formed Achapteuny Lodge #498 in ences and histories. the Far East, and Dan became its first Lodge Advisor, traveling throughout It is much of that history of “Overseas Asia to revive the Councils” (see sidebar: “Overseas program there. By age 28, he was also a Scouting”) and their Order of the Arrow Wood Badge Course Director for Boy (OA) Lodges which are getting lost over Scout and Cub programs and helped to time. Efforts – websites and books – are being produced to put down on paper Scouting is the world’s largest and leading outdoor work at the 33rd Field and in electrons what has been long most successful peace movement. Hospital in Wurzburg, Germany. forgotten in many of those local coun- Think of it. For 100 years, Scouts There, we planted more than 1,000 cils whereby today you’re the around the world have set the example trees and shrubs all around the very Scoutmaster of one of the few Troops to improve our quality of life. How large hospital for the benefit of patients there, next month you’re the Lodge many other organizations have that and cleaned up miles of overgrown Advisor or the Council Commissioner kind of positive impact on the world or cobblestones by converting old fire because that person had to “rotate” or even in a local community? Third, extinguishers into devices used to “PCS” (Permanent Change of Station) Scouting is also the world’s largest spray an environmentally safe weed back to the States or to another foreign educational institution and we are killer we made from rock salt and location. Unfortunately, sometimes the on the faculty. That’s a rather sacred water. We also helped to inventory and old adage of “if you hear a story often trust and a call to duty we cannot shirk. replace outdated items in a pre-posi- enough it must be true” comes into Fourth, Scouting is a great equalizer. tioned stock of medical supplies. I vis- play, especially as the various badges, Every Scout has the same opportu- ited the hospital in late 1999 and the patches and other pieces of Scouting nities for advancement. Fifth, the trees and shrubs are still looking great. memorabilia – items created to support names of several of my Scoutmasters council and lodge activities way back are on the Vietnam Wall, so I contin- Digest: How was Achpateuny Lodge when, and then were presented or ue their work for them. There are formed and how is it pronounced? stored – now come out from storage, many other reasons. For example, Share the story of you traveling with get more interest, and are traded or Scouting keeps us young and is a great the Scout Executive to resurrect the sold through forums like Yahoo auc- way to spend time with your own OA in FEC. tions and eBay. children! Dan: Lodge #498 has a long an inter- To help financially support overseas Digest: Describe your Scouting expe- esting history, from Hinode Goya to Scouting and to preserve the history, rience in Panama, Europe, and the Ikunhkatsi to Achpateuny. When I Coberly helped form the Overseas Far East – particularly the impor- arrived in Japan in 1982 to work on the Arrowman Association (OAA) more tance of the Order of the Arrow as a American newspaper, Stars and than 16 years ago. The OAA is com- part of your life. Stripes, the Far East Council was posed primarily of Order of the Arrow struggling in debt and there were only members from around the world who Dan: It’s always awkward being the two professionals serving Japan, have held Scouting membership with- new kid on the block, even more so Korea, Okinawa, Thailand, Taiwan in an overseas council and/or when your neighborhood is in a and the Philippines. The Scout Arrowmen whom are committed to strange country. One of the best and Executive, Dick Weidman, succeeded further assisting BSA councils, and in fastest ways to make new friends and in doing a remarkable job of bringing particular overseas Order of the Arrow to find your way around was to join a the council out of debt in record time. Lodges, in today’s period of reduced local Scout unit. Scouts had a lot of fun However, during that time lack of membership and rising expenses. The camping in the jungle, traveling funding and the constant turnover of OAA is open to thousands of through Europe and the Far East, mak- people had adversely affected lodge Arrowmen – and their friends who ing friends wherever we went. Our memberships. There were no lodge may not be OA members – asking troop’s annual trip to Berlin when the officials, and only two or three Vigils them for their remembrances, copies of wall was still dividing East and West left in the lodge on our rolls. The lodge their photos and documents, and for was always an adventure. The Arrow’s had already failed to re-charter on aid in keeping alive the memories of significance as the mark of a leader time. Dick and I studied the history of those former lodges and the councils made a deep impression that lasts to the lodge and its membership. Dick, as they belong to. this day. We met thousands of drafted the Supreme Chief of the Fire, took soldiers back then who were members action. I was appointed Lodge Advisor The opportunity presented itself of the Order. and we in turn temporarily appointed recently to exchange stories, memories lodge officers to get the lodge going and experiences with Dan and to ask Digest: We were talking about the again until elections could be held. The him some personal questions about his impact of our Eagle Scout service name Hinode Goya meant “Rising service as a true “World Scouter.” As projects. You earned Eagle in Sun”, and that name and flap design one of my mentors both in Scouting as Germany. What was your Eagle upset many peace activists and war well as in the Army, it was fantastic to Scout service project? veterans. The name Ikunhkatsi report- talk again with a great Soldier and a edly meant “a gathering of nations” in true Scouter. Dan: Eagle Projects are very limited Tagalog, a language of the Philippines, Digest: Why do you continue with and difficult to accomplish overseas which did not make people in other Scouting after nearly 50 years? since we are visitors in a host nation. countries happy. We looked through a Add a military setting and there are copy of the English-Lene Lenape Dan: That’s easy. First, I’ve never met even more restrictions. My project Dictionary in search of a new lodge a Scout that I didn’t like. Second, involved three months of planning and name and a new spirit. We found Puerto Rico Council (PRC), the Aloha Dan Coberly to assist me with his personal OVERSEAS Council (AC) and the Virgin Islands perspectives to answer several questions SCOUTING Council (VIC). American Scouts living dealing with American Scouting overseas. overseas are also served through the Direct HISTORY: Service program office of the BSA’s “What’s the thumbnail history of The Rest of the Stories International Division. Scouting overseas?” Mike Walton with Dan Coberly As Paul Harvey would say, “The boys Dan Coberly: Depending on your defini- While standing in a line during the recent wanted to know the rest of the story.” tion of “overseas,” you’ll find that, since National Jamboree, two Scouts in front of “Why don’t we know about those coun- the 1930s, BSA has a long supported me were interested in the shoulder patch I cils? Are they at the Jamboree? Do we Americans overseas via what were then wore that day. really have American and lead- called “Extra-Regional” American Boy ers in Europe or the Near East?” I nodded Scout councils in places like Peking, I wore a 40th anniversary CSP from the and shared with them how I became a Cub China, the Panama Canal Zone, Europe, Transatlantic Council (TAC) – one of four Scout and later Boy Scout while living in the Far East, and in American territories BSA councils currently serving youth out- Germany; and how I became an Order of such as Guam, and Saipan. Some people side the 50 United States. The Scouts were the Arrow member as a Lone Scout living view BSA councils in Alaska and Hawaii wondering whether my patch was “legit” in Luxemburg (at that time, not a part of as being overseas, too. Then there are the or not. The taller of the two was in the “if TAC, but instead Direct Service). and Scouters who are served he’s wearing it, it must be for real” camp. by the Direct Service program office of the The other simply thought my patch was We finished our conversation and as I International Division, covering areas made up for the Jamboree. moved forward to get my mug of coffee where there really aren’t enough refilled, I thought about that factoid – the Americans to support a BSA council. They finally asked me: “Is that for real? I fact that most kids today (and probably mean, Scout’s honor – is there really a many adults involved as well!) have no During the late 40s and early 50s, the ‘Transatlantic Council?’” clue as to the fact that “American diplomatic corps, doctors, engineers, Scouting” exists outside of the borders of multinational executives, and of course, I assured them both that Scouting does the grand old US of A. I wrote about it later members of the military and their families, indeed have councils overseas. I know that evening as part of my daily “summa- brought American Scouting overseas. Each because I started my Scouting as a member ry” of my Jamboree day to the Scouts-L of the “overseas councils” was formed pri- of TAC more than 30 years ago. Other youth programs discussion group. marily by military officers and civilian councils outside the United States current- corporate leaders who wanted a Scouting ly include the Far East Council (FEC), the I asked longtime volunteer World Scouter experience for their families comparable to

Dan previously served as Executive 27 years on active military duty, retiring in BIOGRAPHY Officer at the U.S. Army Space and Missile April 2000 as Sgt. Major, Senior Public DAN COBERLY Defense Command Public Affairs Office. Affairs. He was advanced on the retired list Senior Science Communication Officer His key military public affairs assignments to the rank of Captain. Office of Research & Development, U.S. included the Centennial Olympic Games Environmental Protection Agency Joint Task Force, Atlanta; the Southern During 1998, Dan was selected U.S. Army Research Triangle Park, NC European Task Force (Airborne), Italy; Europe’s NAACP Roy Wilkens Award Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers winner for his work in support of minori- Dan Coberly is an award-winning public Europe, Belgium; 1st Infantry Division ties; he was named a Baden-Powell Fellow affairs officer who previously served the (Fwd), Germany; the 21st Theater Support by King Carl Gustav XVI of Sweden for Department of Defense for more than Command, Germany, Hungary, and his support of international Scouting. In thirty years. He is a well-known writer, Croatia; Pacific Stars and Stripes daily recognition of his national public relations speaker, workshop facilitator and media newspaper, Tokyo; United Nations work for the Boy Scout of America, he consultant. Command, Korea; U. S. Forces Command, received the and Atlanta; U.S. Aviation Center and School, was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout by As public affairs officer for the Huntsville Ft. Rucker, AL; the Military Police & the Secretary of the Army. He was recent- Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chemical Schools and the Women’s Army ly appointed a BSA Ambassador. His more Dan supported worldwide projects such as Corps Center, Ft. McClellan, AL; and the than 40 awards for journalism and public Unexploded Ordnance removals from DOD 50th Anniversary Commemorations relations excellence include the Silver former defense sites, Captured Enemy of Aviation & Women in the Military. Anvil Award, several Thomas Jefferson Ammunition in Iraq, Chemical and Keith L. Ware Awards, 4th Estate Demilitarization, Environmental He earned a master’s degree in communi- Awards, the Legion of Merit and many Restoration, Installation Support and cation from Norwich University and com- other military decorations. Missile Defense. The Center’s annual pleted advanced public affairs graduate budget was $ 1.5 billion, with more than training at Oklahoma University. He spent $6 billion in contracts. “Achpateuny,” which means East time the Secretary of the Army, and ever. Aside from being a unit leader, all Wind. We wanted a simple design that later became the Secretary of other positions should be temporary included a well-known symbol of the Veterans Affairs. You are still the only appointments, not to exceed two years. Far East Council, so the dragon was enlisted soldier in the armed forces to In fact, I’d make sure that every adult retained as the Lodge Totem. The receive a DESA. How was that expe- gets a letter of appointment that clear- name is properly pronounced “awk- rience? ly spells that out. I’d make sure that all pot-teh-un-neh.” of our doctrine and training supports a Dan: I’m fortunate to have set the concept of increasing levels of respon- For several months, the Lodge Chief minimum standard for the award! Mr. sibility based on performance. During and I accompanied Dick Weidman to West was very kind to support the your second year in a position, we’d every District and country in the award and to make the presentation in start looking for a new position for you Council to help reestablish the lodge front of my peers. He is a strong sup- based on a peer evaluation, and we’d by conducting OA ceremonies led by porter of Scouting. recognize you for your service. That the Lodge Chief. We also presented way, there is always a steady stream of Silver Beaver Awards and conducted Digest: As a Distinguished Eagle fresh faces and opportunities and we the first Vigil ceremonies in many Scout, what do you think about the all learn a deeper understanding, years in Districts such as Korea, caliber of today’s Eagle? appreciation, and respect for how the Taiwan and the Philippines. The facts Scouting Program works. If the Chief are all outlined in the lodge newsletter Dan: One always has to put things and National President can rotate of that time, The Arrow. Under the into the context of today, rather than every few years, you can too. guidance of the Scout Executive, we making comparisons about yesterday. did what any Vigils should do to keep It’s never been easy to become an Digest: You mentioned how outside the spirit of the Order alive. We deliv- Eagle Scout. Today’s aspiring young forces are seeking to undermine ered the program to the members. Eagle faces a completely different set Scouting and other institutions. circumstances in life, just as every Please elaborate. Digest: How well does the military Eagle in the years before him faced support Scouting? something different and unique. Dan: I’ve submitted a draft of a book Throughout time, Eagle Scouts on leadership to a publisher. The book Dan: Despite increasing restrictions, demonstrate leadership by overcoming explains how our society is comprised the military supports youth programs challenges. I believe today’s Eagles are of Caretakers, Innovators, and extremely well. Nearly every senior every bit as good or better. I think we Undertakers. There is also a leader I’ve ever met, from Secretaries should expect more from Eagles once model outlined called Frustration, of Defense to Secretaries of the Army we pin their wings. We should expect Confrontation, Escalation. America on through the ranks, was an Eagle them to be in the forefront more often has long been known for innovations. Scout or a former Scout. They were no matter what their age. History teaches us that when we fail to strong supporters of Scouting because nurture innovation, Undertakers grow they knew that sooner or later, most This is probably a good place to bolder, and will make their move to young men face a fork in the road of remind us that we place a lot of empha- destroy a society while the majority of life. In my case, many of my friends sis on being an Eagle Scout. We have a population remains in a Caretaker were joining gangs of bad thugs. I produced well over a million Eagles, state. Scouting has always been a chose to join a good gang of Scouts. but we have also produced many mil- strong leader of basic values and inno- Without Scouting as an option, I would lions more of simply good Americans. vation, and that makes us a fine target not have had a choice to make. Like There is no shame in not becoming an for people with an axe to grind. If we many young men, I was lucky to gain Eagle Scout if you did your best. We study the FCE model, we know that a substitute family from Scouting, for need to say that more often. frustration leads to confrontation, and my father was often away for years at if confrontations are not resolved, they a time. My Scouting family provided Digest: If you could be the BSA will escalate and the model will repeat important role models I might not have National President or Chief Scout itself until something finally relieves otherwise had. I learned from the many Executive for a day, what would you the frustration. If you are observant, fine men and women who led us that if do? you see that happening at work, at we want to our children to be good, we home, in your community, in your must offer them good opportunities. Dan: I’d be very proud of the Boy nation, in the world around us. It takes Scouts of America, first and foremost. strong leaders to stand tall while Digest: I remember when you served I’d do just as the current Chief and weathering such as storm. Scouting as the Army’s public affairs represen- President are doing; continue to work produces strong leaders. Scouting sur- tative to BSA – and in 1997, you hard to resist those who seek to under- vives as an institution because received the Distinguished Eagle mine Scouting and other fine Scouting has always been on the right Scout Award from the Honorable American institutions. And I would track. For example, parents have a Togo West, at the Worldwide Public ensure that every adult understands right to determine who will lead and be Affairs Symposium. West was at that that no position or appointment is for- entrusted with their children … our those experienced by Scouts and Scouters Camporee. There is always something dif- BSA councils during the past 50 years, and in the United States. Most overseas BSA ferent to do. One day you might be camp- thousands of them continue their involve- councils began unofficially after WWII ing in the jungles of Panama or the ment in Scouting today in councils and were eventually granted charters. The Philippines, the next hiking Mount Fuji in throughout the United States. They are BSA granted its first overseas council Japan or at Camp Kandersteg in making a vital difference in the Boy Scouts charter to the Peking Council and later Switzerland, often with Scouts from sever- of America. gave that council number, 802, to the al host nations. Transatlantic Council in 1952. Charters However, because of the nature of military were also granted to the Philippines There are hardships too, such as 24 million assignments, nearly two thirds of an over- Council and the Far East Council (1953), square miles of water separating various seas council’s membership moves every the Canal Zone (1950) and Aloha Council districts representing 6-7 countries in the year. That’s a huge turnover of experience (1961), Kilauea Council in Hilo, Hawaii Far East Council, or the many miles sepa- for any council. Not all are military people; (1951), Chamorro Council, Guam (1970) rating 10-20 or more countries in the many work for U.S. corporations overseas. Puerto Rico Council (1961), the Virgin Transatlantic Council in Europe. That Unlike in the United States, people don’t Islands Council (1963), the Maui County makes it difficult to hold a lodge event or leave Scout camps and money in their Council (Maui County Council was found- sometimes even a Camporee or a round- wills to overseas councils, so funding pro- ed in 1917, and is one of the very few table. It’s not easy getting permission to grams and operating Scout camps is councils that has not undergone a name work some Life or Eagle projects due to always a challenge. change or merger in its entire history), and host nation or military restrictions, lan- in 1955 established the Direct Service guage barriers, or a lack of resources. Yet, Many Scouters are surprised to learn that Council for youth serving in all other areas because the America Scouting experience the BSA programs run as close to, if not an of the world. After World War II, in cases overseas is so intense, everyone works identical mode as, the way they are operat- where host nations had no Scouting pro- harder to make it successful and no one ed back in the United States. There are gram of their own, BSA allowed some for- ever forgets that happy taste of success. units, chartered partners, youth and adult eign nationals to temporarily earn the leaders, and training courses and opportu- Eagle rank until national Scouting pro- Many of the functions which career nities for those leaders. grams could be formed. Scouters do stateside – organization and re-chartering units, raising Friends of Dan Coberly adds: The Order of the “Most of us don’t know much about Scouting funds, cultivating and developing Arrow operates overseas just as they American Scouting overseas. What is new chartered partners – in those far-flung would in any other BSA council. But there unique about living and being a Scout areas are conducted almost entirely by vol- is something unique about having your overseas? Why should we have BSA pro- unteers with gentle assistance by profes- Ordeal, Brotherhood or Vigil ceremony on grams overseas?” sionals. This is because unlike most pro- Mount Fuji, or in a jungle atmosphere in fessionals stateside, who have several Panama, or Guatemala, or at Camp Dan Coberly: Hundreds of thousands of counties or part of a metropolitan area to Freedom in central Germany. For example, Americans live in communities overseas manage, BSA executives overseas may I remember a Vigil ceremony in the that are very tightly knit. There is a much have several countries to travel back and Philippines. We slept under the stars in greater sense of adventure when living in a forth between. Therefore, an increased perfect weather. It was near Easter, and all foreign country, so they offer much greater reliance on volunteers is not only essential, around us in the distant mountains, the support and emphasis on youth programs. but in most cases a necessity. Moro Indians were faintly chanting and BSA programs overseas help bring a touch beating drums. Folks thought it was part of of home away from home to young people As the numbers of Americans living over- the ceremony. It wasn’t. But it did add a during very formative years. Imagine seas continues to decline, overseas BSA memorable touch! Similarly, the Kuna/San changing schools more than 20 times as councils face many obstacles to keep Blas Indians in Panama taught us how to you grow up in various countries. Not a lot Scouting alive. Many of the youth and make dug out canoes to race through the of stability or consistency there, but you do adults registered in one of those council Panama Canal. In Europe, we once held a gain a more worldly perspective and a tol- territories spend two to four years on an lodge event in an old castle. erance for other people and beliefs. assignment, then return to the United Scouting skills teach you how to use those States. Many volunteers who worked with- Because of experiences like those, the experiences in positive ways. in Direct Service, Transatlantic, Aloha or Overseas Arrowman Association (OAA) Far East Councils return back home actual- exists to financially support overseas For a young man overseas, BSA councils ly missing the way that they have been lodges and to maintain an alumni group also represent a chance to continue some- able to “do Scouting” in a way they feel the that can keep in contact with one another. thing at the same level no matter where BSA envisioned Scouting being conducted you live. You don’t have to start over at while overseas. Tell us more about the OAA and how it Tenderfoot; you can keep hiking along the benefits the Order of the Arrow and trail to Eagle. And it is exciting, because Dan Coberly adds: Few people realize Overseas councils. there are a variety of new experiences in that quite literally, hundreds of thousands other cultures. Living as a Scout overseas of and Scouters became active in American Dan Coberly responded: It has been is almost like one continuous international Scouting through membership in overseas estimated that during the past 50+ years, nation’s future. Pay attention and watching one of them today on the TV Digest: As a student and collector of you’ll see that the people who throw show Survivor! early Scouting memorabilia, you’ve the most rocks at us usually are divert- often been called upon to give advice ing attention from something else. Digest: There seems to be a lot of to other experts. What advice do you Often, it is something in their own overseas Scouting history being lost. have for novice collectors? behaviors that are contrary to the Scout What is happening there? Oath and Law. Dan: A Scout is Helpful, Friendly, Dan: Thanks to the internet, there is Kind, Cheerful and Thrifty. Avoid Digest: What is your position on a now as much history being captured as rabid collectors and self appointed young man who becomes an Eagle there was once thought lost. experts. Remember that Scouting isn’t Scout and then proclaims himself to Organizations like Overseas Brats and about collecting patches and awards, be an Atheist? Military Brats have helped friends to it’s about building character. Seek to reconnect and provide historical data. demonstrate good character as a Dan: In my opinion, I’d say he is a There are always dedicated people collector. You know, there is a normal, very troubled young man. Fortunately, who keep and preserve enough data predictable phenomenon that occurs these situations are the exception and and memorabilia to help shape history. among collectors – Most of us could not the rule. When it happens, the Two recognized historians are Ken not afford a vast collection early in focus should not be on religion but on Kittelberger for Black Eagle Lodge, life, so we do so when we become concepts of honesty and trustworthi- and Bob Cylkowski for Far East more affluent. However, some people ness. Focus on the apparent behavior Council and related lodges. Chuck and become obsessed. of publicly professing to believe in a Matt Kirkland, Sheldon Dick and Bob Supreme Being for 3-4 years simply to Zadina (the former longtime Scout There are indeed many credible attain a coveted rank and social status. Executive) have done a great job of experts, but there are a few with a form Focus on being deceitful every time capturing Transatlantic Council of Gold Fever who seek to obtain and the Scout Oath and Law were repeated, history. The Overseas Arrowman define a specific type of collectable to to include the Eagle Court of Honor. Association newsletter, the Deep the point where they declare items So I’d say that young man never was Water Traveler, publishes American “official,” “unofficial” or “fake” sim- an Eagle Scout and never could overseas Scouting history when it can ply because they don’t have one in become a real one. For, being an Eagle be verified. We’ve also donated their own collections. Think of it as Scout is a lot more than a badge you American Overseas items to various you would when dealing with a stock- wear on your chest. It’s a spirit that Scouting museums. broker or an investment. Such declara- you carry in your heart. tions often represent a personal and Digest: A small cottage industry has professional conflict of interest, Digest: Why don’t we hear more emerged to sell books and other data because opinions help determine the about the early founders of Scouting? useful to collectors of Scouting mem- ultimate value of their own personal orabilia. Like a Scout asked at the collections and the books they help to Dan: Enlightened Scouters are wise to Jamboree, how does one know what’s sell. Books are fine, yet few people learn from their examples. It seems “legit” from an Overseas Council? seem to realize that “expert” experi- that these days, heroes are rock stars, ences and recollections sometimes movie stars and athletes. Americans Dan: If every BSA council ordered merely represent a snapshot in time in seem to have an aversion to anything every patch from National Supply, a particular lodge or council; so if per- that smacks of hero worship of anyone things would be much easier to deter- sonal opinions are not expressed in else, like a teacher or scientist. Yet we mine, and the BSA program and coun- that context, they should be suspect. In all need real role models and heroes. cils would benefit more from the trans- my view, if a BSA council didn’t ben- Baden-Powell was a true hero. Anyone action. Nonprofit, volunteer organiza- efit from the production and sale of the who studies his life, his work, or his tions don’t usually have resources to item, it probably isn’t “official.” That family takes with them a keen appreci- devote to keeping track of long-term doesn’t automatically mean an item ation of the amazing difference one histories of memorabilia. I’d go so far isn’t collectible or is less valuable. person can make in the world. Anyone to say that today’s collector is often far Scouting has been around a long time, who knew his daughter, the late Lady more serious and emotional about and like all other things in the history Betty Clay, would say the same thing. older items than the boy who actually of the world, people discover new The same is true for the early BSA earned them as a Scout. For the most things daily. Fact is, many early items, founders, Dan Beard and Ernest part, we rely on memories and pub- particularly those from overseas coun- Thompson Seton. They were the last lished data, such as newsletters. Still, cils, were made by whoever could frontiersmen. None of them ever got most of the information published afford to make them. People lived and rich, as some of our patch collectors, regarding an overseas council’s history worked in relative isolation, so a per- because of Scouting. Few among us represents only a snapshot in time. son in one district or chapter might not today will ever be considered as self- Some are better than others. None are know what was going on in another sufficient and as knowledgeable about 100% complete. more distant location at a particular nature as they proved to be. Imagine moment in time. more than 265,000 Scouts and overseas summer camps. Occasionally, Puerto Rico Council, BSA Scouters have taken part in American where there is an OAA chapter, finan- (http://www.geocities.com/ Scouting overseas. Of those people, it cial support is provided to a Conclave Yosemite/9920) is estimated that about 75,000 were through the host lodge. The OAA also Arrowmen. That’s not counting drafted helps maintain an alumni base so that Transatlantic Council, BSA soldiers whom were already members. members can maintain their unique (http://www.tac-bsa.org) At its peak enrollment during the fellowship. The OAA helps to docu- 1960s, about 500 Arrowmen returned ment American Scouting history over- Far East Council, BSA to the United States each year to make seas. The organization has a high num- (http://www.fareastbsa.org) a vital difference in the Order and in ber of James West and Baden-Powell Scouting. Many of those same Fellows who make other contributions Direct Service, BSA Arrowmen remain active in stateside to Scouting. Basic members represent (http://www.directservicebsa.org) councils and lodges today. We recently about 20 current or former overseas had a national Vice Chief from an lodges; however, anyone can join as an (The Virgin Islands Council, BSA does overseas lodge. Associate Member. not have an active website presently; information on it along with general The OAA is an incorporated, private Several councils have websites with information about Overseas Scouting association with about 600 current additional information and back- can be found through Wikipedia members whom are also registered ground on the history of their local (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki) Scouters and members of the Order of councils: the Arrow. The organization exists pri- More information on the Overseas marily to support overseas lodges and Aloha Council, BSA Arrowman Association (OAA) is councils via manpower and financial (http://www.alohacouncilbsa.org) found by emailing the President support. For example, the OAA pro- of the OAA, Tom Slavicek at vides a number of camperships to var- Maui County Council, BSA [email protected] ious lodges to promote attendance at (http://mauibsa.org)

Most enlightened collectors know that fessional in college, and I observed personality quirks. It’s isn’t about col- the emotional or historical significance that it’s no fun trying to keep yourself lecting a bunch of “hangy-downs” – of an item is far more important than or your spouse happy while you work awards to improve your self-esteem. the intrinsic value. They are more nights and weekends and holidays, It’s about what you’ve done lately to interested in making a friend than in even if your livelihood depends on it. improve the life of a Scout. It’s about making a buck. As a Scoutmaster, I learned that we earning the right to wear whatever have some very dedicated field profes- award you have every day. It’s about Digest: If you could improve one sionals among us who can only be exceeding the minimum standard for thing about American Scouting, what optimally effective when they are doing what is needed by being alert to would it be? properly supported by trained and the needs of others. Whether you wear enlightened volunteers. Enlightened an Eagle Badge or Silver Beaver, no Dan: I would include in all of our vol- volunteers are the ones who under- one should have any doubt about how unteer training very specific informa- stand that their position exists to sup- you earned it or why you wear it, sim- tion that will enhance understanding port the boy, the program and the unit ply from the positive example that you and support for district and council leader. set. operations. For example, why and how we must conduct fundraising, and the Digest: What advice do you have for Digest: What’s the best thing you’ve roles of the volunteer and professional. Scouters? gained from Scouting? Clearly, we have too many volunteers who believe rumor and innuendo and Dan: Scouting has a place at the table Dan: Good friends around the world act upon assumptions about how a for everyone. It’s a terrific program, and a sense of purpose and cama- nonprofit organization must operate. ideally designed for parents to work raderie. Aside from friendships, there Because they don’t have enough facts, with their children as they grow up are the skills we learn as Scouts, such they don’t always set the best exam- through the program in say, 4-8 years. as teamwork, abilities to lead, plan and ples. When that happens, it’s easy to We will always need good volunteers. to organize. Those skills help many a assume that our few paid employees Yet, some folks seem to think there are young person build successful adult are glorified Scoutmasters. When that two main programs, one for adults and lives. happens, there is sometimes little or no one for youth, with their own separate empathy, understanding or apprecia- ranks and awards. So I advise every Dan Coberly has proven himself tion for the two toughest jobs in adult to check their ego at the door. I’m extremely valuable to the programs of Scouting: the District Executive and fond of pointing out that being a Scout Scouting, not only in the United States Scoutmaster. I was briefly a parapro- leader isn’t a license to exercise your but in many other countries around the world.

Dan holds the Silver Antelope and Silver Beaver Awards and has been recognized with the NESA Distinguished Service and OA Founder’s Awards. In 1997, he was named a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a Baden-Powell Fellow. He cur- rently serves as an Executive Board member of the Greater Alabama Council and as a BSA International Ambassador.

His military awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He splits his time between a farm in Alabama and his job as Senior Science Communication Officer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development in North Carolina.