Ideas for a Boy Scout Hiking Stick

The Oath

• Every Boy Scout takes an oath to protect their country, obey the rules of the Scouts and help other people. Learning and reciting this oath is an important part of Boy Scout tradition. If you want to give yourself a constant reminder of your oath, try carving the entire oath into your walking stick. This takes time and effort but is well worth the work.

The Law

• Boy Scouts are expected to live up to something called "Boy Scout Law," which is a list of 12 personality traits that should apply to all Scouts. These traits are loyalty, honesty, helpfulness, courtesy, friendliness, kindness, obedience, thrift, cleanliness, reverence, bravery and cheer. Carve each of these important tenets of law into your walking stick to serve as a visual reminder of your expected conduct while wearing your uniform.

Badges

• Boy Scouts spend a lot of time earning specific badges. Every badge you earn is representative of a particular challenge, such as pitching a tent or lighting a campfire. If you know a good painter or are interested in the art of painting, try putting small versions of your badges onto your walking stick with paint. As you earn new badges, you can add them to the stick. Be warned that you may run out of room quickly if you are determined to become an Eagle Scout.

Utility

• You can also think of your stick as an extension of your abilities. For instance, wrap your stick with fishing line and add a couple of fishing hooks (away from your hands) and then you have a fishing pole at a moment's notice. Wrap the stick with rope and insert flint and tinder into the rope so you always have a way to start a fire or strap a small carrying pouch to the stick and store your knife or multiuse tool in it.