Muslim Boy Scouts – Your Time Has Come !

1. Muslim Boy Scouts – Your Time Has Come !

2. Some Stats… • Boy Scouts – Worldwide Movement – 150 Nations members of WOSM • Baden Powell – Africa - British empire • 1/3 Scouts Worldwide are Muslim • BSA – in 2000 =50 Muslim Scouting Units (Troops/Packs/Venturing crews) • BSA – in 2008 = 150 Muslim Scouting Units • Mormons = 36,000 Scouting Units

3. Scouting Missed Opportunity Special Extra-curricular Activity What sets you apart ??? • Everyone can make “the team” • A time tested – world-wide program • Muslim origins – Islamic teachings friendly • Common Ground – Common Memories • Unique Life Enhancing Experiences • Hands-on Leadership Training • Healthy/Natural Lifestyle

4. From Quran • Fitrah – “Feet of Clay” – Turab and Adam • Khalifa – Earthbound/Earth Conscious • Amanah – A Sacred Trust • Fa’seeru Visit those who came before you…

5. In the footsteps of the Prophets…. • Adam (AS) > Muhammed (AS) – “Voice in the wilderness”… • Unwritten Characteristic of Prophethood • A Shepard of men…

6. Its Sunnah… • Prophet (AS) Childhood – In the Desert… • Hiking to the Mountain of Light… • Camping at Cave of Hira… • Signs (Ayaat) in the stars… • Forgotten Amr -Swimming, Riding, Archery… • Fiqh in practice – Taharah, Hayah, Salah, … • Re-living the Days and Nights of the Prophet(AS) and his Sahabah(RA)…

7. Learning Enhancement • Computers are not the answer… 44 hours a week over 6 hours a day with electronic media many academic measurers DECLINE • Alphabet Soup of Learning Challenges/ Disorders… • NDD – Shared by All Students of all levels • Muslim Scholars first – agree… • A word from Author Richard Louv – Last Child in the Woods Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder

8. Scouting part of the cure… • BSA Scouting program provides sound balance between supervised and self(boy)-directed outdoor activities that incorporate practical knowledge, learned life skills and inter-personal dynamics. • ¾ Scouting is outing • Merit Badge Training – The Ultimate Career Day experience

9. Scouting firstsThe First Time … • I swam in a lake… I canoed …. I capsized… • I was away from my parents home over night • I slept somewhere without a roof and walls • I opened a can with a can opener • I slept in a sleeping bag in a tent in the rain and got soaked… • I shared a tent with other Muslims my age… • I set-up and started an open pit fire and cooked on it • I prayed in the snow at night under the stars using a compass to determine the Qiblah … • I went to the bathroom without a bathroom • I chopped fire wood with an axe whittled a marshmallow stick with my pocket knife • I ate Iftar I prepared with my fellow Muslim scouts under the sky • I visited a Masjid away from my Masjid and spent the night in Itikaf • I was lost in the woods with no way to get back to campsite except with the help of my compass, map, and buddy.. • I cut myself badly and knew how apply proper first aid to stop the bleeding.

10. Nuts and BoltsHow to establish a Boy Scout Troop • Core team – Parents with Boys of Scouting Age • Leader(s) – some outdoors camping exper.. + • Sponsoring Organization - COR • Willingness to adopt general BSA Program • Meet with Local Council (Franchise) • Basic Training – Youth Protection, NLE, FastStart • Program/Activity Calendar • Consistency – Weekly Meetings and Outings Plus Resident Summer Camp

11. Weekly Meeting Agenda • Set-up – Room and Flags – SPL Council Meets • Opening Ceremony – Fatiha>Salawat/Darood>Pledge of Allegiance>Scout Oath>Scout Law • SPL – Tonight’s Agenda • Weekly Skill Instruction/MB/Other • Group Activity • Announcements • SM Minute • Dua/Salat