BOY SCOUT SUCCESS STORY

Is it the twelve points of the Scout Law that make us the Scouts what we are today, or the 3 points of the Scout Oath, or even the motto, “to be prepared” or the slogan to “to do a good turn daily?” These are all aspects we as Scouts face when we are growing up through the Scouting Program. They enlighten our hearts with kindness and allow us to grow as leaders in our society.

            I began the Scouting program around 1995 when I was in Cub Scouts. I met friends, learned different skills related to my school and life at home. We did different activities like camping, pine wood derby races, and spent quality time together singing during Christmas, or working on a Scouting related project. Learning and growing at the same time, I crossed over into Boy Scouts. I was ecstatic about the crossover, remembering four Native American Indians, dressed up and putting a ceremony on for my friends and I. It was an everlasting moment and I still remember it today, as I too have participated and have run many Native American Boy Scout Crossover Ceremonies.

            Along with these beginning moments, came the time for work and progress. I traveled through the ranks, learning how to cook, put up tents, hiking, backpacking, swimming, first aid, CPR, and many other things. Scouting was becoming an attraction and meaning in my life. I always prepared myself for the two campouts we hosted each month, one consisting of a Friday, Saturday trip, and the other being a Friday Night through Sunday morning trip. It gave me time to learn and critique my skills that would later lead me on the trail to Eagle. It also gave me time to reward myself with the accomplishments that I had committed myself too and to share it with friends around.

            I earned my Eagle in the summer of 2002 and was called to become a future member of the Order of the Arrow. Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s national honor society. It developed me into a young adult. I was able to participate in community projects, learn new skills, study Native American traditions and be an example, a leader to younger youth of our scouting program.

            All these events I was apart of and still am a part of today allowed me to test my knowledge. Many of these events were challenging, time consuming, and heart felt. I learn to make mistakes, but most important of all, LEARN from those mistakes and develop a sense of what was right. I had many people help me out and teach me ways to motivate myself and learn how to be a leader, be the bigger person.

            I sit here everyday thinking about these events and how they have helped me come along. All the lessons I have learned from the Scouting program and through many of my leaders and friends, I have taken and applied it to my life. I have done so in many ways, teaching other people the skills I have learned. I have talked with others and told the reason behind this and how this could save a life, or why we do the things we do. I have drawn a positive image of Scouting and developed an attitude of trust and adventure. I say this because of all the events included with this program.

            These events have indeed prepared me for my road ahead. I will go to school, finish school, and graduate with the intention to apply for a job and letting them know that I am a Eagle Scout, a proud one at that. I became a better leader. I am able to jump in and help out where help is needed. I am able to tackle any task put before me and try and work at my best abilities to complete those tasks. The Scouting program has helped me manage time which is a big goal in school. It incorporates your time for homework, studying, friendship, and many other things. By allowing myself to do these events every year, for the past several years, it has allowed me to become confident of myself. I am not afraid to speak of Scouting. I encourage others to become a part of the program. I feel I have accomplished many things with confidence.

            All in all, the Scouting program is a blast. It is well developed and it teaches those Scouts and Scouters to become leaders. It allows for young boys to grow up into young adults. They will experience challenges and they will be rewarded each time by their accomplishments. It is time to think about the program and let them decide. They will have fun and at the same time, learn skills, and meet many friends. They will bond together and be remembered as they grow up and become adults and develop into a family.

            I hope I have inspired you today. I will continue to serve the scouting program the rest of my life. It has served me well and I look forward to giving back to Scouting as my life continues.