As part of a campership grant that was offered to Philmont bound scouts, we asked them to write a 1000 word essy on what scouting meant to them, I am going to share some of them, this is one of those essays.
How has Scouting affected my life? The better question would be how it has not affected my life. Since First grade I have been in some sort of Scouting organization. I began Cub Scouts in Pack 146 at Jefferson Lighthouse out of St. Paul Catholic Church, and was very actively involved. It helped a lot that my mother was the Den Leader, my brother was our Den Chief, and many of my best friends were in it so it was a lot of fun. I remember always wearing my uniform to school on Wednesdays proudly and thinking how cool it was that I got to salute the flag with two fingers instead of my hand on my heart. I learned many values then that I will never forget, and my roots in community service began there.
While Cub Scouts was fun, I knew Boy Scouts would be even better. I remember eagerly crossing the bridge and joining my patrol, the Kodiaks. They have always been my patrol and always will be, no matter what. The most lasting impact anyone has put on me in Scouting would have to be from my first patrol leader. I may not have liked him that much back then, but he taught me a lot about what to do, and what not to do, as well as how to lead, and how not to lead. Leadership is one of the most important things I have learned from scouting, and one of the most useful. Whether it was from previous patrol leaders, seminars, or even personal experiences I have learned a lot about good leader ship and what not to do as a leader. I know that every person has a fair opinion in decisions, it helps to do many of the things that they want to do instead of what I want, and being kind, as stated in the Scout law, is a very important key to running anything smoothly. Things have not always gone perfect, but I have used those experiences as learning experiences and made adjustments off of them. I have also been able to use the leadership skills I have learned in scouting in other places in life as well. I use them in orchestra when we have a big contest or concert coming up and we need to work hard on our music. Sometimes things go really well and once in a while a link of the chain falls through and things get a little bumpy. Even with friends or class projects when we need to get work done, leadership skills I have learned in scouting have helped us work proficiently and do a good job. Those are just a few examples of how leadership traits I have developed from scouting have helped me outside of scouting, and I know they will be good to have many times in the future.
Scouting has also affected my life with my views on nature and ethics. Some of my favorite activities in scouting have been trips and campouts around the State and sometimes even outside the state. Given that I have worked on a farm all of my life, I have always had great respect and admiration for nature. Scouting has strengthened that. Many of my favorite Scouting memories are these trips and the beautiful scenery I have been lucky enough to witness along the way. And I know that my trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, New Mexico this summer will provide many more. Along with admiration for nature, scouting has also taught me how to properly respect nature. I have enjoyed many of the nature projects I have done in the last 7-8 years, and I have been able to use the skills I learned in those projects numerous times outside of scouting, especially with farm work.
Scouting has also taught me a lot of valuable traits and skills. It has taught me a great way of life. The values that Scouting has taught me will stick with me for as long as I live. Scouting makes me want to be as kind as I can be, and a good friend to everyone, no matter who they are. Scouting makes me want to take on bigger responsibilities and tougher challenges. Boy Scouts has instilled in me a will, a mindset of determination and that failure is not an option. Many tasks in Scouting have been difficult, and not all plans have gone the way I have wanted them to, but because I had a strong mindset and a strong will. I, along with other Scouts and people, have been able to figure out solutions to problems and make the best out of everything. I have been able to carry this mindset into my life in almost every aspect. It is great for sports, as I figure out ways to take down my opponents. It is also really good for school, as I figure out how to stay on track and keep my eyes on my goal of graduating from a four year college. This mindset pushes me in music as well. I always challenge myself to take on bigger and tougher pieces, and lately even start writing and arranging my own songs. Lastly, Scouting has helped bring me closer to God. While I believe that school and religion are two potions that should never be mixed, I believe Scouting and Religion go hand in hand. Through many events we do in Scouting I realize how great God's grace truly is, along with how great his people are. Scouting has helped me put more faith in him, and made me want to be a good Christian, as I believe scouting values are intertwined with many religious values.
In the end, my goal of Scouting is to be an Eagle Scout, but I know it will not be easy. With the traits, skills, and lessons I have learned in Scouting I know that I can do it. That is what Scouting means to me.
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