Being part of the Boy Scouts is being part of a team. When I first joined Scouts, I was set into my very own patrol - a team. I quickly learned on my first campout that we work together. From building fires to cleaning up, it was made sure that no one bore the full weight of the job.
This same idea continued when I took up leadership positions with the troop. For instance, when planning for meetings, each patrol leader works with an LC member. The meeting is brought to the PLC and we work as a group to refine it and improve it.
Scouting has taught me that the team is greater than each individual acting on his own. For example, when brainstorming, the team comes up with a menagerie of ideas, building off each other, continuously spider webbing out. This would be impossible with just one person trying on his own.
In early 2012, my crew began training for Philmont. We worked together to become part of a team. It wasn't the work of training so much as the work of being together and training together and trusting each other that became important to me. I learned that the team is only as strong as it's weakest link. Even though a link might be weak, if the other links are so fused together, so bonded, it will help support the weak link. During my first trip to Philmont, I had a chance to be the weak link when I suffered from altitude sickness during the first few days of hiking. My teammates slowed down for me and supported me with their genuine concern. I will remember this when a weak link needs me.
Also, on the Philmont trip, I participated in challenge events that were a group of team building obstacles. One of my favorite experiences while I was there was "The Wall". The wall was twelve feet tall and each member of our team had to get over it. I worked to help each of my crewmates over the wall and I went last. I took a running start and leaped at the wall and one of my crewmates on top of the wall pulled me up. It was great.
Right now, I believe my job is to help others in my crew train and help prepare them for the physical demands of Philmont. I hope to put on training exercises to boost camaraderie. I will use the knowledge I gained from my first Philmont trip to guide the newer scouts to the most enjoyable experience possible. I will try to have us work as a team and not think about ourselves on the trail as much as what is best for the crew. This means possibly sacrificing in ways that help others.
I will use teamwork to help inspire scouts to follow the scout oath and law. I will try to live it myself as an example to others. I will try to bring the crew together as a team to create epic adventure for all of us.
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