Scouting, Volume 50, Number 3, March 1962 Page: 19
32 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Why I Am
in the
By Dirk Anthony Ballendorf
On this monkey bridge is no Scout at a camporee but a
fell ow co rpsman of the author training in Puerto Rico.
During eleven years in the Boy Scout movement, the
author became an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow
member, and assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 108,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received a degree in
education from West Chester State College in June.
otification of my acceptance into the corps
came on August 22, 1961. Six days later I was in Puerto
Rico for basic training. Since my group was the first to
occupy the camp, there was much work to be done. Life
was rugged! The training for the most part was physical.
Our day started at 5:30 a.m. with a two-mile run before
breakfast. The rest of the day was concerned with such
phases of training as rock-climbing, survival swimming,
map and compass, first aid, and jungle survival. Our
four-day march through the jungle was the toughest
thing I had ever experienced. This was all most interest-
ing to me as it would be to any Scout. Needless to say, my
Scouting experience was invaluable and put me ahead
of some of the others.
The purpose of this training was to acclimate us and
make us self-reliant in the tropics. In the evenings we
had discussions concerned with American governmental
philosophy, communism, and foreign policy. For relaxa-
tion I played folk music on my guitar.
In connection with the training, we spent a week living
with the people in the rural communities of Puerto Rico.
This was most interesting and challenging, because
it is a shock to suddenly find yourself in a different en-
vironment than you are used to as a complacent Ameri-
can. I think that this adjustment, commonly known as
"cultural shock," will be the biggest adjustment that the
Peace Corps volunteers will have to make. Even after this
brief experience, when I returned to the States, I felt that
I had a greater understanding of America.
As I write this I am at Penn State University with
sixty fine young men and women. It is a pleasure to be
among them. I have made friends that I will have for the
rest of my life. There are other Scouts here who I know
do credit to the movement. Since we will be teachers'
aids in the Philippines, we are studying all phases of
Philippine culture, including phonemic expressions of
their language which is Tagalog. We are also studying
American history, science, and English. The ten-week
schedule is very complete and informative.
The Peace Corps is the embodiment of the Scout Oath
and Scout Law. Therefore, it is not difficult for a Scout
to become a corpsman; indeed, it is a fulfillment of a
great ideal that has been nurtured and enriched along
the path from Tenderfoot to Eagle.
I am not so naive as to be engulfed by complacent
idealism. There is verbalism in Scouting principles, per-
haps more today in this affluent society of ours. But ver-
balism is something that lies beneath the surface of a
man; it is ready to leap forward with meaning when the
situation presents itself.
I think the Peace Corps is a catalyst for verbalized
Scouting ideals. The phrase "To help other people at all
times" takes on new meaning, new purpose. The Scout
Law becomes a byword, truly cosmopolitan.
I believe these things.
Editor's Note: The 700 peace corpsmen, serving in nine countries
in midl-January, are expected to triple in number and reach
several more countries according to Director R. Sargent Shriver.
Thirty-six countries have requested 4.000 qualified volunteers.
Information on applications can be obtained by writing Peace
Corps, Washington 25, D.C. At the time you read this, our author
is taking further training at the University of Manila just before
going on duty as an elementary schoolteacher in the Philippines.
19
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 50, Number 3, March 1962, periodical, March 1962; New Brunswick, New Jersey. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth331730/m1/21/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.