A Cub and Boy Scout Salute
to George Washington

The text of a pamphlet prepared by George Washington's Mount Vernon in cooperation with the NCAC for Scouts in other councils


Major sections in the pamphlet:
u To Participate in the Salute
u George Washington Commemorative Event
u Scout Rules of Civility for the 21st Century
u Introducting the George Washington Patch
u Spirit of George Washington Camporee
(This section provides ideas for conducting a camporee to honor George Washington in your own community.)
u 1999: The George Washington Bicentennial

Mount Vernon Pamphlet

To Participate in the Salute

Scout Units and Scouts across the nation are invited to join the Salute to George Washington. To participate:

1. Create an appropriate commemorative item: a poster, certificate, handcraft item, banner, wreath, personal letter, or proposed Rules of Civility with your unit's identification.

2. Send it to: George Washington's Bicentennial, PO Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Items can be hand-delivered at Mount Vernon's Entrance Gate (all Scouts who hand-deliver a commemorative item will receive free admission).

3. All commemorative items will be placed at Washington's Tomb as part of the Scout Salute on November 6, 1999 and must be received by October 31, 1999; or

4. Attend in person!

George Washington Commemorative Event

Scouts and scout units are invited to plan a community event to commemorate the 1999 Bicentennial of George Washington. Commemorative events can include:

Proclaim a "George Washington Day." Work with your elected officials or school principal, to have one day designated to honor the legacy of George Washington.

Fly a Flag. Using a replica historic flag, like Washington's commander-in-chief's flag, conduct a flag-raising ceremony at a school, at a camporee, or at a public event to recall the patriotic values that Washington embodied (contact Mount Vernon for replica flags.)

Plant a Tree. Create a living memorial to Washington in a public park or on a school's grounds. Mount Vernon saplings are available from the American Forests Famous & Historic Trees nursery.

Create a George Washington Bookshelf. Working with your school or public librarian, select and purchase books to create a special shelf featuring a wide range of books on Washington.

Write a Letter. Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on George Washington's legacy to the nation.

Reach a Congregation. Ask the minister of your congregation to conduct a memorial service on George Washington, and help him or her research important facts for the sermon.

Toll the Bells. At a church, school, or library, arrange to have the bells rung for one minute starting at 12:00 noon, CST, on December 14, 1999 to honor George Washington.

More information on these commemorative events can be found at the George Washington Bicentennial web site at: www.gwashington1999.org. You can also ask for information from Mount Vernon at: George Washington Bicentennial, PO Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121; Phone: 1-877-492-1999

Scout Rules of Civility for the 21st Century

In his early teens, just before he embarked on his first adventure on the frontier, George Washington wrote Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation. The 110 precepts he included set out values that guided him throughout his life, and helped him become the most trusted and admired hero of the new American nation. As we celebrate Washington's legacy and look forward to the challenges of a new millenium, imagine yourselves in Washington's place. Help draft the Boy Scout Rules of Civility for the 21st Century. Working individually or as a unit, write ten modern rules. Send them or hand-deliver them to Mount Vernon before October 31, 1999 (all scouts who hand-deliver Rules will receive free admission). All submissions become the property of Mount Vernon. From submissions across the nation, 110 rules will be compiled as the Boy Scout Rules of Civility for the 21st Century, and presented to the President of the United States.

Click to read some of the Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation that George Washington wrote when he was in his early teens.

Introducting the George Washington Patch

George Washington "200 Years" Patch Wear the George Washington patch to show your participation in the Bicentennial! Scouts who submit ten modern Rules and conduct one commemorative event in their community are eligible to purchase the "George Washington" patch. Send your Rules, a description of your commemorative event, your name, address and troop number and $3.50 for each patch to: George Washinton Bicentennial, PO Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Please add $2.00 to each order for shipping and handling.

Spirit of George Washington Camporee

Plan a camporee in the Spirit of George Washington -- commemorating the patriotism of the Continental Soldiers during the revolution. Contact Mount Vernon for ideas to make your camporee an unforgettable expedition to the founding days of the American nation. Ideas include:

  • Menu suggestions;
  • Camp layout;
  • Military drill practice;
  • Woodsman skills of flint-and-steel fire starting;
  • Games of the period;

Every Spirit of the George Washington Camporee will receive a FREE replica of George Washington's original commander-in-chief's flag -- presented with a certificate from Washington's home, Mount Vernon.

1999: The George Washington Bicentennial

The 1999 George Washington Bicentennial will kick off in February of '99 on Washington's Birthday and marks the start of a national pilgrimage to Mount Vernon where visitors will experience Washington's home as never before. The estate will introduce an all-new Masion tour with 18th-century costumed characters; display over 100 18th-century objects on loan from collections around the world; open a new museum featuring a re-creation of the first presidential office; feature "Washington Is No More: The Final Experience," a dramatic multi-media show; host "Celebration Nights" each Friday and Saturday evening April through August and much more!

Thanks to partnerships with organizations like the National Capital Area Council of The Boy Scouts of America, this celebration extends nation-wide with educational activities, community celebrations, traveling exhibits, package tours, and much more! Through this and many other programs at Mount Vernon and from coast to coast, the 1999 George Washington Bicentennial promises to provide a time to reflect on America's strongest qualities and richest traditions as we face the challenges of a new century.

Find out everything happening during the George Washington Bicentennial on the net by visiting www.gwashington1999.org

Geroge Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens 703-780-2000 www.mountvernon.org

The Cub and Boy Scout Salute to George Washington is sponsored by the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts in partnership with Mount Vernon.

 

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This site is provided as a service to Scouts and Scouters by the Colonial District, NCAC, BSA, which includes George Washington's Mount Vernon.  Although not an official site of the NCAC, BSA, or Mount Vernon, the site is maintained by Tom Baerwald, who has been appointed by the NCAC to direct the Mount Vernon Encampment, so information should be reasonably accurate.