This Boy Scouts promo film “Boy Scouts…A Lot More Than You Think” was created by producer/writer Rift Fournier and Dean Crebbin. The movie is a veritable time capsule of the sociological stresses and the opportunities of the 1970’s as reflected in Scouting, and it’s countercultural pedigree is reinforced by an experimental, montage style. The first half of the film depicts Boy Scout organizing in underserved / endangered Black, Latino and Appalachian communities in which poverty is the common denominator, as well as a Scout group serving boys with disabilities. It then proceeds to describe the ways that Scouting encourages self development, and has incorporated aspects of council democracy. The film also describes the Scout’s environmental activism, efforts in computing, and the pursuit of “natural highs” other than drugs. (TRT 21:58)

(0:10) Boy Scouts hike through an autumnal forest. The film will be an exposition of the ways Scouting helps boys to prepare for life. (0:38) A speedy montage of scouting activities: boxing, repairing and riding bicycles, building wooden structures. A song pleads: “Who’s gonna tell them about the pusher man?” (1:24) Title “…a lot more than you think. A film by Rift Fournier, Dean Crebbin” (1:26) A scout leader describes the introduction of street-corner scouting program in Houston’s “sprawling inner city”, an African American community (2:28) The kids engage in a supervised boxing match. The leader describes boxing as a way to resolve fights (3:34) A winter view of a mountainous Appalachian road near Logan, West Virginia. A classroom interior, children seated in rows – “In-school scouting” is described as a way to reach isolated rural communities where the school is the only feasible gathering place. (4:10) Scouts tying square knots and praying in a circle (5:16) A playground in Ramona Gardens, a housing project in East Los Angeles described as “80% Chicano”. Alma Rendon describes her resistance to introducing Scouting, which she saw as a middle class activity, to this impoverished area. (5:45) Scouts wrap meat and potatoes in tinfoil to grill (6:55) Scouts with disabilities construct a “teepee” campfire. “Presently there are 50,000 handicapped scouts” (8:10) A Scout and Scout Leader discuss a “personal growth agreement,” a contractual document designed to support individual decision making. (10:11) A “computer merit badge” earned by punching someone’s name into a computer punch card. “New merit badges include sports, atomic energy, space exploration, environmental science.” Punch cards are loaded, and a roster of the troop members is printed out (11:30) In a “progress advancement” a scout is interrogated and judged by a panel of boys from his troop, seated around a small table. The scout is deemed worthy. (13:14) Scouts paint a playground, a service activity decided by a Scout-led “troop leader’s council” (14:22) The “leadership corps” deliberates how to teach a younger group of Scouts. This group can be joined when a scout reaches the age of 14. At that age the scout can also “move on into exploring.”(15:38) A Scout Leader teaches younger scouts in lashing rope together to make a frame (26:33) Bags of recyclable materials are pulled out a car trunk during “Keep America Beautiful Day,” an activity forming part of “Project S.O.A.R. – Save Our American Resources.” This involves litter cleanup and environmental education. (17:16) A Mason jar is dipped into the waters of Rock Creek in Washington, D.C. The water sample is shown to exhibit evidence of pollution. (18:07) Scouts sitting in a circle, accompanied by parents. A Scout describes a classmate attempting to inject tap water into his arm, as part of Operation Reach in Des Moines, Iowa, in which Scouts discuss drug use. The program encourages students to “seek natural highs” (21:00) The Scouts hike through the forest. The narrator argues that potential Scouts are missing the opportunity to do so because people think it isn’t worth the time. “Presented by Scouting Division, Boy Scouts of America” (21:45) a Toni Ficalora Inc. production.

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