Scouting is one of the few activities left in our society today, in the year 2008, that still believes that children can develop at individual rates. Through scouting each young person is able to set their own goals and work with an adult to guide them through. Scouting has a unique support system. For a young person to be successful in scouting, they need to have the support of their family. Scouting becomes a family event. Scouting can become a way of life, an awesome way in my opinion!

I have been a Boy Scout leader for more than 10 years. The experience has allowed me to get to know my boys and their friends in ways I never imagined. Now,in Boy Scouting, boys camp a lot! I have had to learn how to set up a tent, sleep under the stars, and be prepared. I have became a better person because of Boy Scouting, along with my boys. My boys have learned the value of honesty, integrity, and the value of hard work. By working hard the rewards are not instant, there is time for the boys to reflect upon the project they have completed and why it was important.

Scouting in all forms: Boy Scouting, Girl Scouting, and Venture Crews not only provide educational experiences for our young people, but a safe place for them to be. Scouting also provides a great support systems for boys and girls alike. Teamwork is encouraged. In Boy Scouting the boys are grouped by Patrols. These Patrols cook together, play together, and work out problems together. If they do not work together, the boys learn fast that they will not be successful. Sometimes it takes a failure for the boys to learn what it takes to be successful.

Scouting gives every person the opportunity to participate if they choose to. There are numerous merit badges that boys and girls alike can work on. Boys can work on a cooking merit badge and girls can even work on badges that help them repair household items. The door is wide open with learning opportunities for everyone.

Citizenship is encouraged by all scouting programs and promotes knowledge of our own country, along with the world. Our world is constantly changing and our young people need to know that knowledge is "power." We are no longer in a competition with our own people in the United States, but other countries as well. That is one reason it is important for them to learn some of the laws and reasons other countries do what they do. We live in a very mobile society and chances are that some day these young people will have the chance to travel to another country. By understanding the laws and the people of a particular land, their travel experience will be much more enjoyable.

Being a kid, enjoying the outdoors, meeting new people, learning new skills, and being physically fit are just a few of the positive experiences scouts will experience in scouting. The opportunities are endless and families can make scouting a way of life. There are numerous scout camps throughout the United States. Scouts, families, and leaders can also travel to the Philmont Scout Center in New Mexico to the Boy Scout training center. This large camping facility provides hiking adventures, training, family campouts, and numerous camping adventures. High Adventure, low adventure, just being a kid, scouting offers opportunities unlike no other organization. Not only is it fun, it provides a safe environment for our youth to be youth! Scouting does not discriminate and ever say, "You are not good enough!" That is what makes scouting so awesome today.

Learn more about this author, Sara A Broers.
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