Examiner.com

Today—February 8th, 2010—marks the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America, a date worthy of note here in Montgomery County and across the nation, as the organization has engaged generations of our sons in good works, while helping develop their character.

Their mission is “to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes,” and we are reminded that “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

And they mean it. “On my honor, I will do my best . . .” reads the first line of the Oath each boy recites and takes to heart.

And more than 2.8 million boys do, living up to their creed and engaging in such service activities as collecting and distributing food, cleaning up and beautifying our communities, serving food at shelters, and helping with conservation projects.

Here in Montgomery County, boys are served by the Cradle of Liberty Council, which happens to be the largest council in Pennsylvania and the third largest anywhere. If you haven’t already signed you son up, consider it during this centennial celebration period. You simply can’t go wrong.

That goes for your daughters, too. The Girl Scouts of America was founded on March 12, 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, so they’ll be turning 100 two years from now. As scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together”—gathering in more than 236,000 troops in over 90 countries.

Girls in Montgomery County are served by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Council.

And, like their male counterparts, the girls strive to do their best, promising to be "honest, fair, friendly helpful, considerate, caring, courageous, and strong," while assuming responsibility for everything they do and say. It simply doesn’t get any better than that.

Meanwhile, Montgomery County is home to the World of Scouting Museum, which houses just about the largest collection of scouting memorabilia anywhere in the country. Housed in a log cabin, the museum is located on the campus of the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

So, if your kids are not already involved in scouting, there’s no better time to have them sign up than now. And while you’re at it, be sure to head to Valley Forge and take a trip through time as you and your family explore this one-of-a-kind and close-to-home museum that traces scouting from its earliest days. Your kids will thank you.

For more information about the Boy Scouts: email Info@Colbsa.org or call 610-688-6900.

For more information about the Girl Scouts: email rjones@gsep.org or call 215 564-4657.