Scout's Honor: A Father's Unlikely Foray into the Woods

by Peter Applebome

Peter Applebome grew up obsessed by box scores, so when his son, Ben, joined Little League he happily assumed he'd be spending Ben's childhood at the ballfield. But what Ben really liked was hiking and camping-and when he joined the local Scout troop Applebome reluctantly went along for the ride.

As someone who had never made a fire except in a gas grill and tied knots only in his shoelaces, Applebome was an unlikely recruit. Taking us from the low points to the unexpected triumphs and through all the trekorees and derbies in between, Applebome hikes the trail from tenderfoot skeptic to proud Scout dad. Offering affectionate portraits of the motley group of boys in the troop, he also laces his very funny narrative with an informal but fascinating history of Scouting and grapples with the modern-day controversies that will help determine Scouting's future.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one hit me where I live, a Scout leader reading a book by a Scout leader. His experiences, while vastly different from mine, still echo many of the parts of being a part of BSA that many folks encounter. He is, above all, a very good writer, which propels his story along, smartly and easily. And when he misses a tiny detail (the name is Canada goose, not Canadian goose), we’re happy to overlook it, as the narrative is very engaging and humorous. His goal in joining Scouts was to spend time with his son, which he accomplished, and I think his goal in writing the book was to shine lights on the various parts of Scouting, those he felt were in need of change, and more importantly, those he thought were valuable and worthy of notice. And he accomplished that, too. And while some aspects of Scouting have changed drastically and he couldn’t have seen them coming, he did suggest that BSA become more diverse in membership, which it has, happily. Read this book and put yourself squarely in the shoes of a leader, you’ll be glad you did.

[Cosette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if Peter Applebome would like to print an updated version - you know, if his opinion on the health of eating eggs has changed?
Also - this book came in handy while typing emails to my sons at camp - I’d just type up excerpts from this book instead of coming up with my own material. Can’t say thank you enough for that.

[Roon]

I gave up on this book. The author seemed hung up on some of the negative views on Scouting. Maybe that improves as the book goes on, but it caused me to lose interest.

[Matt Suplee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book almost 20 years ago and I still think about it sometimes. I'm not sure what brought it to mind just now. I remember being very touched by Applebome's experience when I first read it. I loved hearing the "conversion story" of a Scouting outsider that comes to love the organization that meant so much to my life. My own father was very active in Scouting and a former scout himself, so my love of the organization was a given. But reading along as Applebome came around to the same positive takeaways that I did somehow validated my own abiding affection for Scouting, and made it more than just an inherited point of view. I also appreciated Applebome's warts and all telling of Scouting history, much of it I had never heard growing up in the organization. I think that did nothing to diminish the value of Scouting, if anything it helped me to imagine ways that Scouting could be improved to be even more powerful in the lives of young men.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for any Scouting parent - even better if you're in Westchester.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts out strong and very funny, peters out a bit at the end. Interesting analysis of the program. A reprint could use an update on some issues he brought up, including the "ideal age" to introduce Scouting.

[David Teska · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book by a Dad whose son decides to join Boy Scouts and the story of how they both grew and changed over a 3-year period. A must for any Scout leader or parent (or kid for that matter).

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it all, if you have the spare time.

[Bob Ruckle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the style of Bill Bryson, very funny book on becoming a boy scout dad