Scouting runs deep in our family.  With three sons, who have all earned the Eagle Scout award, our family is always grateful for the opportunities and activities that we have shared.  Many of these memories are the direct result of our family involvement in Scouting.

One tradition that helps us to remember and appreciate our scouting experiences is to decorate a small Christmas tree with Scout patches and other scouting-related memorabilia.  These are a collection that our sons have earned over the years.  We get out our Scout tree the weekend of the Thanksgiving holiday.  This seems appropriate since this holiday is a great time for reflection.  We count our blessings, opportunities, and experiences that we have gained from being part of the Scout family.

Our Scout Christmas tree has patches from the advancement ranks.  The patches lead up to Eagle at the top.  This helps my boys remember the Scouting trail they all climbed.  Included are patches from past National Jamborees at Ft. A.P. Hill, and patches from several of the high adventures we took together.  We also have quality unit award patches from the past 12 years that remind us of our involvement in our Troop.  We include patches from local camp-o-rees, patches from summer camp, and Order of the Arrow patches.  Each patch tells a story and brings back fond memories of the campouts attended and lessons learned.  It’s a history for us from the early days of earning Cub Scout patches to the last Boy Scout patch that was achieved.

We have other items on the tree as well.  We have small wooden canoes to remind us of our trip to the Northern boundary waters, miniature campfires, neckerchief slides, and several Scout Christmas ornaments.  Some of our decorations have come from vacation trips, such as the Boy Scout patches my sons purchased in Ireland.  And of course we have several eagles to set around the base of the tree.

I hope you consider starting a Scout Patch Christmas tree this year for your family, and I hope that it brings you a much joy as ours has brought us.

Patrick J. Flaherty
Assistant Boy Scout Troop Leader
Troop 99
Bettendorf Iowa