Brother Greg Knott of Ogden Lodge #754 in Ogden, Illinois, passed along this story on the Masonic Society forum. I reprint it here with his permission.
I recently worked as a staff member for the National Scout Jamboree held at Ft. A. P. Hill in Caroline County Virginia. At Jamboree the National Association of Masonic Scouters worked with Virginia's historic Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 to have a lodge meeting on the base for Jamboree participants.
The meeting was simply amazing as nearly 500 masons attended. The Lodge was opened on the Entered Apprentice degree, so that all Masons could attend. Most of us were dressed in our full scout uniforms. Introductions were made and the wealth of Masonic knowledge in the room was impressive. Numerous Masters and Past Masters, 3-4 past state Grand Masters, heads of Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies, etc.
The Grand Master of Virginia, William Earle Rorer, Jr was in attendance and gave remarks about the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in America. MWB Rorer received the Daniel Carter Beard award in recognition of his long association with both Masonry and Scouting. The Grand Master even had a special pin created commemorated the 100th Anniversary of Scouting.
As one brother commented at the meeting; "I have died and gone to heaven to be able to attend a meeting of this historic lodge (Fredericksburg No. 4), wearing his full scout uniform in a room full of fellow Masons and Scouters. It just doesn't get any better than this."
The value of Masonry and Scouting are very similar in nature. Many Scout Packs and Troops are sponsored by local Masonic Lodges.
It was a true privilege to be a part of this historic meeting.
According to their website, the purpose of the National Association of Masonic Scouters is to foster and develop support for the Boy Scouts of America by and among Freemasons while upholding the tenets of Freemasonry. This includes, but is not limited to, encouraging Masonic Lodges and other Masonic organizations to charter and support BSA units. NAMS seeks to provide opportunities for Masonic fellowship at Scouting events and encourage the awarding of the Daniel Carter Beard Award to deserving Masons while supporting the Scouting movement at all levels.
