Cub Scouting

My story begins at Onteora Scout Reservation in Upstate New York. The Boy Scouts of America have an honor society known as the Order of the Arrow, which is for Scouts who wish to dedicate themselves to an order that serves others more than that of the Boy Scouts. Scouts are selected through a troop-wide vote, and I was one of the few scouts selected to participate in the ordeal to join this order. The ordeal was a series of tests in order to confirm that we, the candidates, are fit to join…

As a kid I never went to summer camps or stayed at a friends house for an extended period of time. I had friends in Cub Scouts but I never joined. But around the third grade, I decided I wanted to join the Cub Scouts. I started Cub Scouts during the fifth grade, so I only had one year as a Cub Scout until I would crossover into becoming a Boy Scout. During both my time in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, I met some of my closest friends. Throughout my time in Boy Scouts, I challenged myself to do…

It took 5 months from concept to completion of my project to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. As I reflect on that experience, I recognize the life lessons that it taught me. I began by speaking with other Eagle scouts for their views on projects that would be impactful to the community. I decided to help the local animal shelter. Prior to writing my proposal, I met with the shelter 3 times to fully understand what they wanted from me. I then sought the inputs of my troop Chairman. With these…

“Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best,” Juliette Gordon Low once stated this opinion on what Girl Scouts does for you. If you were to ask others what it means to them, you would probably get a very similar response. Girl Scouting has affected me and my family in a very direct way. I am so grateful for Girl Scouts and the person it has made me today. Throughout the thirteen years of being in Girl Scouts, I have learned how much the program means to me. If I was not…

My first week at the Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation, or Camp Hohn as everyone called it, was probably one of the worst weeks of my life. The camp looked nice on paper; it was described as a 120-acre camp on the banks of the Lake of the Ozarks, with bluffs overlooking the lake and many campsites,all surrounded by a five mile nature trail. However, they failed to include in the brochure that due to the camps size, the classes available to take were extremely spread out. To get to the…

been very passionate about wildlife and the environment. Even as a young boy, I was very active outdoors and longed to be associated with groups that helped sustain the environment. My family was very active in Scouts. I grew up through the ranks of Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Scouts taught me how to not only identify plants and animals, but how to enjoy the wilderness without leaving an impact on it. A passion grew in me to help the environment and love the land I stand on. Rangers of the many…

April 15, 2014, just months after my 16th birthday, was not only the one year anniversary of our house fire, but also a day of rejoice for my family, friends, and myself. This day was the crowning point of my scouting career. I remember standing in the lobby of the local scout office, with my parents and scoutmaster nervously waiting for my name to be called. Attempting to calm myself by talking and laughing with everyone, to not show my nerves, my name was finally called. This was it; there was…

One leadership role I have assumed since entering high school is the Senior Patrol Leader of the Oak Grove Boy Scout Troop 266. The objective of the Boy Scouts of America, as an organization, is to develop the future leaders of the United States through an inexpensive, boy-lead program, available to all boys in the United states, under the age of eighteen. When coming up through the ranks of Boy Scouts, a young man will receive leadership and guidance from his more seasoned scouters. After…

This past summer I set out to finish a goal I set many years beforehand. I began scouts in 1st grade, and since the beginning I set my goal to achieve the highest rank in scouting, the eagle scout award. This rank is the most difficult to achieve, but also the most respected in the scouting program. Becoming an eagle scout is a true symbol of a boy finally growing into a man. Before a scout can even start on this great task, they must obtain all of the other ranks before it. During this…

There isn’t one word, phrase or term that can define folklore, but one group that mirrors what a definition of folklore could look like is the adult Girl Scout “troop” that meets weekly in Bowling Green Kentucky. The group is made up of 12 members who were former Girl Scouts but paid their membership fee to become lifelong Girl Scout Members. I had the pleasure of interviewing the woman who created the group and has kept it going for several years. Her name is Elizabeth Brown and she was in Girl…