Scout Story

Item #2026

(January, 1989) Scout was commissioned by the Boy Scouts of America, and friends in Davidson supplied me with the official Scouting items that I used on this statue. Scout is hiking along the Appalachian Trail, and he’s having such a good time that he won’t mind if his foot is tender. He is in Troop #7—he thinks this is a lucky troop. He is carrying a coin that depicts the Boy Scout pledge, and the coin by his foot depicts the Boy Scout oath. On his pack is the Boy Scout insignia and the Scouting motto, “Be Prepared.” Because Gnomes love the outdoors, the wanted their own Scouting program. But Gnomes do not join a scout troop until they are 50 years old, which is why Scout has a beard. Scout also has a special Boy Scout hat. His hat is pointed, to protect him from falling acorns, and it also has a bill to shade his eyes while he hikes. Scout and his troop are hoping that next year they can go to Philmont, New Mexico, to the biggest Boy Scout camp of all. If you, too, are nuts about Scouting, you’ll be able to see a little face on the base of the statue.

Dr. Thomas F. Clark