Boy Scouts of America

Troop 282

Blue Elk District • Heart of America Council, BSA

A Chartered Organization of Trinity Episcopal Church

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July 18th, 2015

Mic-O-Say

The meaning of Mic-O-Say is friendship and warmth. But what does Mic-O-Say mean to me and how does it inspire me. First let me talk about how it inspired me as a Scout(Young Man) and later as an Leader. As a first year camper in 1969 watching Call Night I was very much captivated by the activities of Call Night and knew right then and there that I wanted to be apart of the program that is called Mic-O-Say. So I listened and watched the older boys in the Troop that were called and became Braves and Warriors that summer. It didn’t stop there as I watched them again next year at summer camp hearing their names called at Call Night and becoming Braves and Warriors. And I noticed that they were Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, and so on. I figured out that they had a job of some form of leadership so I thought I need a job in the Troop so that I can show leadership. So I became an Assistant Patrol Leader and it was my third year at Summer Camp so this year I figured I would hear my name called for Foxman. So it is Visitor Sunday and Call Night, I am excited to hear my name called for Foxman that night as my Mother, sisters, brothers, and Grandparents are there to watch me get called to be a Foxman. So I sit there with anticipation as the names are called one by one to hear my name called for Foxman. As the last name is called and the Sachem says “That completes the call for Foxman”. My heart dropped, I thought where did I fail, what did I do wrong, and most of all I let my family down I thought. As I was thinking all of these thoughts, Tribal Council was calling Braves. I sat there still thinking what had I not done to hear my name called as my friends were hearing their names being called for Brave. Then out of the still of the night I hear, “Mike Norton Troop 282”. Did I hear right my name being called for Brave, I was shocked. I wasn’t a Foxman. I stood proudly and moved past the first row of seats to be escorted by a Runner. So I thought what did I do to be called to be a Brave in Mic-O-Say. So I started listing them in my head. I attended every meeting, overnight and scouting activity. I was an assistant patrol leader so I had a specific job so I can show leadership. But I found out later that you don’t need a job or title to show leadership, you just need to lead by example. I figured that out as I said earlier that I watched the older boys that were called and copied what they did. Which was always helping the younger Scouts, setting up tents, carrying their packs, teaching them how to cook, or helping them do dishes to name just a few. So basically “Helping other people”, which is a phrase in the Scout Oath. Therefore I figured that my name was called for Brave by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. By hearing my name called that first time it has inspired me to live the Scout Oath and Scout Law in life and to hear it Tribal name called since, in Tribal fashion. 
Now as a Leader I know that if it wasn’t for Mic-O-Say keeping me involved in Boy Scouts as an older boy I would not of attained the rank of Eagle Scout. I also would not of went on Summer Camp Staff or be back in Scouting if Mic-O-Say had not instilled in me to live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The Scout Oath and The Scout Law is very easy to say but very hard to live by. If you do your very best of living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law, then you too someday may be an Eagle Scout and a Tribesman of Mic-O-Say. 

Sachem Swift Falling Tree 
Mike Norton

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