Every now and then we hear a Scout use the word can’t: “I can’t hike 15 miles” or “I can’t tie that knot,” etc. It’s at that point I’ll stop the meeting and ask the Scouts to give the Scout sign and repeat after me, “On my honour I will do my best!” Then I step up to our chalkboard, write out the word can’t in big letters, and ask the boys if that word appears anywhere in the Scout Oath or Law. At that point, I erase the “t” and explain to the Scouts that their trail to the Patrol Leader rank will be much easier if they start telling themselves they can do it instead of using that other word. Before I walk away from the chalkboard, I write a big “I” in front of the can and leave it there until the next meeting. The first thing they see the next time they walk in is the words “I can!”
