The Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100th birthday this February.

While the organization has encountered many changes over the years, the basic principles that many of us grew up with have remained unchanged.

We still remember the Scout Motto: Be Prepared. And the Scout Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily. And the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

I will always remember the wonderful world of scouting. My first camping trip in the pouring rain. Becoming a Tenderfoot Scout after struggling to learn how to tie a bowline. Watching my proud parents as the Eagle Badge was pinned on my scout uniform.

My volunteer days in scouting led me to a career in the profession, moving to Rhode Island in 1965 to serve as a district executive in the old Pawtuxet Valley District, where I worked with some of the finest men I have ever known.

My mentor was Michele DeCiantis, the district commissioner and owner of DeCiantis Brothers Dairy in West Warwick. Mike was out nearly every night and weekend, helping to train leaders and making Scout Troops and Cub Packs stronger.

The list of dedicated volunteers is endless. Many have passed on, but not a week goes by that I don’t run into former Scouters who recall the Winter Camporees, Bean Hole Bakes, Pinewood Derbies and Courts of Honor, plus the endless chicken and macaroni dinners.

Today’s leaders, like Rep. Joseph McNamara of Warwick and Sen. Leo Blais of Coventry, educators Joe Herbold, James Essex, Donald Driscoll, Arthur Matteson, Bruce Ingham and “Doc” Krasner, who gave freely of their time and talents, have guided thousands of young Rhode Island boys who in turn are now leading a new generation of scouts.

Yawgoog Scout Reservation

The Narragansett Council purchased 1,800 acres of prime woodland back in 1916. The Yawgoog Scout Reservation became, and still is today, one of the most respected Boy Scout camps in the country.

H. Cushman “Gus” Anthony joined the camp staff in 1921 and became the reservation director in 1951, where he continued to run the operation until 1968.

Today, many adults tell me of the time that Gus gave them a ride through Yawgoog in his old Model T. Some also remember the scolding they got when Gus caught them dropping a candy wrapper on the trail.

Gus tutored under Chief Scout Executive J. Harold Williams, the man who led the Narragansett Council for 43 years and will always be remembered for his eloquence and bold leadership.

The camp was always a year-round Adventureland, and there are a million memories shared by the many Rhode Islanders who have camped on the hallowed grounds.

Probably the most famous one is told by former Governor Bruce Sundlun, who was on a winter camping trip with his troop when he fell through the ice of Yawgoog Pond and was rescued by one of his troop mates….Sen. John Chafee. Sundlun credits his life to Chafee, and the two men remained close friends in spite of their political differences. Sundlun always said that he would never run against Chafee…and he didn’t.

Thousands of men, famous and not-so-famous, tell of the training they received at Yawgoog and the effect that the experience had upon their lives.

Rhode Island College graduate and Yawgoog staff member Ron McClarty talks about Yawgoog in one of his novels. Ron led the Saturday Night Shows, with their corny skits and Scout songs, and then went on to become an actor, starring in the old “Spencer for Hire” TV series and seen frequently in movies and on TV.

Stop someone on the street and ask them about Yawgoog. Chances are that they, their children or their grandchildren have been touched by one of Rhode Island’s great treasures. Many have memories that last a lifetime.

I know, I do. Editor’s note: Don Fowler trained for four years under Gus Anthony before becoming the Yawgoog Reservation Director in 1969 and then the Director of Camping for all of the Narragansett Council Camps.