Rocks in My Backpack [Paperback]

Tom Sholes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2007

Rocks in My Backpack is a great Scouting adventure. With wit and inspiration, Tom Sholes recounts his entry into Boy Scouting as a youth during World War II and the great Scouting escapades that unfolded in that era of small-town American. He reveals how a decade later a young, inexperienced Scoutmaster, â*oeambushedâ*? into the leading troops in Minnesota and later in Colorado, grew in skills and knowledge to eventually become a highly successful leader of youth. Unsatisfied with easy merit badges and â*oecheapâ*? Eagle Scouts, Tom challenged his Scouts and Explorers with rugged mountains, wild rivers, and unforgiving deserts. A master storyteller, Tom recounts troop mishaps and adventures from foaming whitewater and uncovering ancient Indian ruins, to quiet moments of wonder on mountain summits. Share the ride as the young Scoutmaster matures and discovers the secrets to motivating boys and girls to levels of greater achievement and appreciation of the wilderness. Tomâ*(TM)s motto, Responsibility is the price of freedom, helped mold young men and women into free-thinking individuals who love life, respect others, value the great outdoors, overcome enormous challenges, appreciate other cultures, and cherish freedom. A companion website, RocksInMyBackpack.com, complements the stories with hundreds of action-packed photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (March 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412091128
• ISBN-13: 978-1412091121
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My good buddy does well ..., June 2, 2007

By 

Richard Neumann (Richland Center, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rocks in My Backpack (Paperback)

Tom and I practically grew up together, played in our respective school dance bands, and after graduation, the seniors of the bands got together and formed our own professional dance band.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, we went our separate ways ... Tom to become Scoutmaster of an award-winning Scout Troop (boys) in Littleton, CO, while I organized and directed an all-girl award-winning marching unit, the Hilltoppers Color Guard of Richland Center, WI.

While I wrote a book about the adventures of the girls, Tom wrote a book about the adventures of his Scout Troop. Tom is a master story-teller, and his book will delight readers with the many stories he has to tell. I envy him the camping trips he made with his kids in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

I highly recommend the book "Rocks in my Backpack." You will laugh, you will cry, but in the end, you will have thoroughly enjoyed an excellent read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scouting Adventure with Zest, October 2, 2008

By 

J. Bardon (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rocks in My Backpack (Paperback)

"Rocks in My Backpack" tells the scouting adventure in a highly entertaining style. It is just plain fun to read. Obviously written by a trained writer, the book conveys the joys and hard work involved in being a scout leader for decades. One can only admire and respect the life-long dedication to helping our youth which Tom Sholes conveys. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting read or wanting insight into the day-to-day reality of scouting.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reminder of Scouts, July 29, 2007

By 

B. Marshall "Bronco Fan" (Littleton CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rocks in My Backpack (Paperback)

I belonged to this troop. It has several stories that included my brothers and father. Great trip down memory lane. I have been able to share some stories with my two boys, who are currently in scouting.