March 20, 2008
Clayton Anderson Speaks on “Forever Scouting”

Clayton Anderson, an attorney with offices in La Mesa and five other cities in California, has never forgotten the lessons learned from his years as a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout in San Diego County.

Anderson, who earned his Eagle in 1962, was the featured speaker at the Annual Eagle Scout Gold Award Dinner Friday, March 14, at the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812. His subject: “Forever Scouting.”

Anderson spoke with the scouts, their parents and leaders about the lessons learned on the trail to the highest rank in scouting. He cited three lessons: achieving goals, leadership skills and the importance of life-long learning. Each lesson was connected with their family life, their schools and the world into which they would be going.

About 100 people attended the dinner, at which scouts from throughout East County received badges and honors.

Scouts honored included:

Patrick Brady, Troop 362, El Cajon
Conner Brown, Troop 309, Santee
Josh Caldwell, Troop 363, El Cajon
Kevin Dreesen, Troop 339, El Cajon
Mark Gracyk, Troop 972, Lemon Grove
Taylor Holmes, Crew 339, El Cajon
Skyler Littlefield, Team 390, San Diego
BJ Miller, Troop 363, El Cajon
Grant Myres, Team 142, Alpine
Alexander Nicoloff, Troop 362, La Mesa

Leadership skills are taught throughout scouting, Anderson observed, from the 11-year-old assistant patrol leader to a teenage senior patrol leader who often guides the troop more than the adult leaders. But Anderson cautioned: "Leadership is not a position but rather action that guides the efforts of others."

Finally Anderson said: "Their world will involve life-long learning as skills are valued and then discarded, and occupations come and go with new technologies that require learning new skills.”

Anderson has been active in the Boy Scouts as an adult as well as in his youth. From 1991 to 2000 he served as a den leader, pack committee chairman, assistant scoutmaster, scout patrol advisor, head volunteer of East County scouting, SD Council board member, and a Silver Beaver honoree.

His two sons have followed his example, becoming Eagle Scouts and going to the World Scout Jamboree in Chile in 1998. His older son, Travis, is in his second year at USD School of Law, his father’s law school. His younger son, Ryan, who earned his Eagle Scout badge last year, will accompany his father to the dinner along with Anderson’s wife, Mary J Anderson.

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