![\"Moon](\"http:\/\/www.peterjohnsononline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Moon-landing-267x300.jpg\")
I was at a delightful dinner a short while ago and the conversation was as good as the wonderful food. We were discussing achievements and a range of other linked topics when an old question popped into my mind. I think partially stimulated by this picture I took of the moon only a few days before.<\/p>\n
How many people had walked on the moon? Well, the answer is 12, and after a light challenge regarding the accuracy of my number, I did return home and check my facts. The answer is correct.<\/p>\n
The follow-on question was how many were Boy Scouts? Again I had a light challenge regarding the answer – which is 11. I also checked this fact, and again the answer is right. But when looking up this fact I was astonished to find that the one person, Pete Conrad – Commander of Apollo 12, who was not a Boy Scout had been a Cub Scout. So all of the 12 people who had walked on the moon had been in the Scouting movement. Amazing!<\/p>\n
Fortunately, not all people who had been involved in the Scouting movement have been to the moon else it would be a pretty crowded place! This conversation was taking place only a few days after World Thinking Day (renamed with the ‘World’ in 1999). This day falls on 22 February every year. A day special in both the Guiding and Scouting calendar as it was the birthday of both Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement and his wife Olave who was so heavily involved in the Guiding movement.<\/p>\n
I was in Scouting right from the earliest age I could become a Cub, through the Scouts and Venture Scouts into Scout Leadership. My parents were hugely supportive and also became very involved too. On many a clear night I have slept outside under the moon and I wonder if this is what inspire those intrepid pioneers to risk so much to become astronauts? Whether their dream had been hatched under a moon-lit evening when they were in the scouts?<\/p>\n
It is great that the scouting and guiding movement still grows and is such an amazing character builder for so many people.<\/p>\n
I still smile with pride having been a scout – I hope you do to.<\/p>\n
Now that last question is a tough one, and rightly so. I am sure it helped 12 out of 12 people who stood with pride on the moon. Just think what new horizons it could help you reach too!<\/p>\n
My good wishes,<\/p>\n
Peter<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I was at a delightful dinner a short while ago and the conversation was as good as the wonderful food. We were discussing achievements and a range of other linked topics when an old question popped into my mind. I think partially stimulated by this picture I took of the moon only a few days before.<\/p>\n How many people had walked on the moon? Well, the answer is 12, and after a light challenge regarding the accuracy of my number, I did return home and check my facts. The answer is correct.<\/p>\n The follow-on question was how many were Boy Scouts? Again I had a light challenge regarding the answer – which is 11. I also checked <\/p>\n