Learning Preparedness

Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scout Movement, said: “The secret of sound education is to get each pupil to learn for himself, instead of instructing him by driving knowledge into him on a stereotyped system.” He understood that learning did not happen only in the classroom or from a textbook, but in every experience, a young person has in life.

                Over the past few months, we have all had some of the most exceptional learning experiences we could ever hope for. We have been hit with a pandemic that no one expected. Confined to our homes, out of school, work, and unable to have Troop meetings or even attend church together, we have had to discover a new way of doing our everyday life.

“Be Prepared…the meaning of the motto is that a Scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.”

Sit. Robert Baden=Powell

1857-1941

Founder of the Boy Scouts

This is where preparedness comes from. It is when we learn from new and different experiences, and from that learning, we prepare ourselves for the next time this same thing happens. It will happen again. Life always repeats itself. We say that we have never experienced anything like the Cronovirus before. We have. We have had several pandemics in our lifetime. The difference here is how hard it hit us and the attention it got.

Scouts and Scouters must take this opportunity to learn and prepare for the next time this type of thing happens. When faced with this challenge, we will know what to do and can quickly snap into place and be ready. By being prepared, we can lessen the damage done by unforeseen tragedy and even avoid unnecessary pain and deaths.

Preparedness comes from learning, and that learning comes from the classroom of life. For all those whose motto is Be Prepared, the class is in session.

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey