Many people believe the Boy Scouts of America, BSA program is blemished due to current events. However, I think boy scouts is a great thing. The program really gave me many new experiences and showed different aspects of the world. More importantly, my personal experiences shaped who I am by helping me overcome fears at many levels.
One of the main concepts taught in scouting is team work. Even though I’m really introverted and scared of new people boy scouts taught me how to work as a team even if I’m scared. I recall, my first camping trip at the age of 12 to Lake Corpus Christy. Upon our arrival, the adults, aka “scouters” asked our troop of 20 scouts to unpack the trailer. This request forced the scouts to work as a team and made the older scouts show me the ropes to unpacking and setting up camp. Once we took care of all the troop gear, then it was time to set up our personal gear. As I attempted to set up my tent and failed miserably. My best friend, Josiah helped me set up my
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tent the first night due to my lack of experience. This was my first understanding of true team work, which helped me overcome my fear of meeting new people. Another thing I learned in scouting was to overcome my fear of voicing my opinion during conflict. Disagreements are common in any group of people especially when we all have different perspectives combined with missing of luxury. However, in scouting we often had learn how to solve even the simplest of issues like how long to cook a pan cake or which way to go while hiking that day. As with all campouts, the more scouts you have, the more conflict. A reoccurring argument in my patrol is over what kind of bacon to buy and how to cook it. This argument lasted for at least 6 years to my knowledge, but after 2 years, I gained the confidence on how to voice my opinion. After much discussion, we decided to let each scout cook their own bacon. To date this resolution has allowed everyone in our patrol to be satisfied over how to cook bacon without losing any lives because teenage boys take bacon very seriously. Even with this resolution this argument will probably continue until they outlaw bacon due to people having a different preferences on how to cook bacon. Another fear I used to have was aqua phobia; a mild case, but none the less, I had it. After a few years, I progressed from putting my feet in the water to sitting in the water. Eventually, I was challenged in scouting to overcome my fear because to rank up in boy scouts I had to swim 300 feet. So one day my dad “encouraged” me to overcome my fear by telling me that I could take the rifle merit badge at summer camp if, I passed the swim test. So to prepare me to overcome my challenge my father signed me up for swim lessons. For the first month, I was really tense; in fact, when I got in the water the tension made it incredibly hard to swim or even float. Sometimes, I was so tense, I sank like a rock. After another 2 months, I finally became more comfortable at keeping my head underwater, floating and kicking. Eventually, I mastered free style and I was able to pass the First Class requirement. Then at summer camp, I passed swimming and lifesaving merit badges. Thanks to Boy Scouts, I was able to overcome my aqua phobia. Since then I have completed a mile swim 3 years in a row, learned how to save someone twice my size, and subdued them in the water. If it wasn’t for this program, I would not been able to make the swim team and become a swim instructor. Leadership for some comes easy however, as an introvert this was a real fear.
Luckily, scouting helped me overcome the issue gradually. As you mature in scouting the expectation is that the older scouts will lead the troop through planning camping trips, meals, and excursions for monthly camping. In scouting you are challenged to overcome social and personal fears. I found, I had both. Socially, I had a problem speaking to others. But, due to the small group (patrol) structure, I gained confidence with time. Personal fears, came along with learning to rappel, kayak, swim a mile, read a map and hike for long distances at places like Grand Canyon and Big Bend. I even learned to sail, when my parent’s signed me up for a high adventure at Florida, Sea Base. This involved learning to live on the Atlantic Ocean on a boat for a week with six other scouts. This was the scariest and most exciting thing I have ever done because on that boat we were all called to lead and navigate the
boat. To help the scouts be more effective BSA offers a youth leadership course, called Cedar Badge. Of course, my dad sent me to that too. Looking back, I was glad that he did because it prepared me to lead my Eagle project. The pinnacle of BSA is earning your Eagle rank. For my project, I overcame my social and personal fears by leading thirty-seven people to build a 15 x 20’ pebbled area, pebbled walkway and 3 extra-large, outdoor dog kennels that still remain in the same place 3 years later. To accomplish this task I had to spend 7 months planning. I had to ask businesses for advice and donations. I addition, I spent countless hours making the proposal, investigating dog kennels, looking up city ordinances, talking to CPS on how deep I could dig, making a blue print and trying to calculate how much stuff I would need. Then with all that, my family spent over 150 hours at many different hardware stores. I wish, I was over exaggerating. With all this planning, I was still afraid of not being able to lead. I was afraid of destroying the Helotes Humane Society’s water lines, miscalculating the amount of gravel needed for the foundation, missing something critical, like forgetting saws, or the first aid kit. Finally when it was time to lead, I stepped up to the plate and we worked for twenty minutes; suddenly, it started to rain on us. Then we took a break for about an hour so the rain could pass. Everyone was gloomy like the weather since we were cold, wet, and in a very cramped space. To lift the spirits of the group, I started singing some songs that all the youth know and the entire group joined to distract us from the misery. Once the rain stopped we got back to work. We cleared out a lot of the brush. I had to really watch the youth to make sure none of them cut off a finger or a limb. While they were doing that, I had the adults check my measurements. Thankfully all went well. At least I thought it had, until one person from the humane society told me there was a water pipe line where I was planning to send the anchors through. So we had to move the kennels ten feet back. This reset my fear of not having enough materials for the original plan. So I and some of the adults decided to change where the pebble walkway started. We finished that and redid the measurements. Then we had the youth start laying down the border while the adults and one young boy started making the dog beds out of plywood. Once the boys finished the borders, I had them lay down five cubic yards of gravel. Then I had the adults go spread out the gravel. By noon, I again started to feel we were getting behind schedule. I was convinced by some of the adults that the kids would be more efficient if I let them take a lunch break, instead of having them skip lunch. This was the right call and I’m really glad I took their advice. After lunch we regrouped and I split everyone into three groups. One to build the dog cages, one build the roofs and the last to set in the anchors. I assigned leaders in each group to watch over the projects for me while I rotated around. Then I had everyone lift the cages and put them on top of the anchors. After that I had them install the new roofs on the cages and place the beds in the dog kennels. Thankfully there were no major problems during my project. I learned from scouting how to overcome many of my fears such as team work, letting my opinion be known, my fear of water and fear of failing as a leader. If it was not for this program, I would have never had the courage to overcome all these fears. Some may think Boy Scouts is tainted but, I think it was one of the best things to ever happen to me.
In the summer of 2015 I attended Camp Four Winds Westward Ho on Orcas Island, Washington. This camp is a non-profit organization that offers two month-long sessions for campers ages 10 to 16 with staff positions starting at age 17. This summer I worked in the barn for one month-long session and 10 days after that. I got up at six-o'clock every morning and I finished my work at the barn at six-o'clock pm. After I usually helped with camp dishes until 9 at night. I felt accomplished in working hard because I felt like I was making a difference to make the camp run smoother. Though after awhile it was challenging to even get up in the morning due to exhaustion, I persevered through it and proved to myself that I have a lot of willpower. I enjoy
The Boy Scouts of America is an organization that I have been a part of for a large portion of my life. Joining in 5th grade, I have been an active member for over 6 years, serving a variety of leadership positions. Starting off as an assistant patrol leader my second year, I first began to learn the ropes of what exactly being a leader entails. By my third year, I had acquired enough knowledge and skills
The most honorable experience that I have had is working on my Eagle Scout project. I learned how to become a better leader, tackle difficult situations and how to work with others. All of these skills helped me be a better person.
Boy Scouts of America v Dale is a highly controversial case involving discrimination against homosexuality. It was argued by the Supreme Court on April 26, 2000 and decided on June 28, 2000. Parties involved included plaintiff James Dale and the defendant was The Boy Scouts of America. Dale’s lawyer was Evan Wolfson; The Boy Scouts of America were represented by lawyer George A. Davidson (Boy Scouts). Dale, who had previously been an assistant scoutmaster and an Eagle Scout, filed a lawsuit against The Boy Scouts of America because the association repudiated his membership after learning he was homosexual. The constitutional amendment at issue was the first. The case was first heard in a New Jersey state court where the court ruled that the
Boy Scouts of America v. James Dale has been one of the most controversial cases of the 21st century. The 1st Amendment rights of private organizations were challenged as The Boy Scouts of America banned a former leader and Eagle Scout after learning that he, James Dale, was openly homosexual and a gay rights activist. James Dale then sued the Boy Scouts for violation of a New Jersey’s law that protects individuals against discrimination. The case worked its way up the Supreme Court and was decided that the Boy Scouts have the right to not accept homosexuals through their 1st Amendment right of expressive association because the leader would set a bad example and not represent scouting values. The court also ruled that Scouts could ban homosexuals
This camp is designed for children who have limb deficiencies or amputations be able to come together for a week of endless excitement and fun. I was lucky enough to have eight girls ranging from six to nine years old in my cabin. It was my responsibility to be a leader to these girls, show them encouragement, boost their self-esteem and never let them give up despite of circumstances. Throughout the duration of this camp I truly learned how to be leader and how to exert a calmness in stressful situations that is able to reinforce sincerity and serenity. I left the camp feeling more blessed than I could have ever imagined. These children were able to teach me things that I will forever hold close and that I am confident will make me a strong
Teamwork is the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient. Any group of people could form “teams”, but when you form a group where everyone can work together and teach each other things such as self-respect and self-confidence, you have teamwork. When everyone is struggling, why not help each other out? Coach Ken Carter in demand of respect and commitment transforms a group of teenage boys into a group of young men in the movie Coach Carter. The fact that Coach Carter had transformed this group of boys is not why I enjoyed this movie. My interest moves more towards how he transformed these boys. He taught these boys to value themselves not only as a team, but also as individuals. He also taught them to look at something more than the moment at hand; and look more into the future.
It was our fifth day in the Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, the halfway point of the trek. I as the Crew Leader was responsible for the other 11 members of the crew, including 4 adults. I was in charge, and amazingly the adults rarely tried to take over, although they would strongly advise me what to do in some situations. Phil, with the exception of me, the oldest scout and the Chaplain for the trip, was my second. Together we dealt with problems of making sure everyone carried the right amount of stuff in their pack to who had to cook and cleanup each day. The trip had gone well so far, no injuries, and the worst problem had been a faulty backpack. As I walked I thought about the upcoming campsite. Supposedly this one had running water from a solar powered pump—so had the last night’s site but the tank was too low to use for anything but cooking because the of how cloudy it had been of late. But today was bright and shinny, and hot, so I didn’t think there would be a problem.
Don’t let fear gain control. Sometimes society thinks of us as brave and as it sounds logical it might not be true. You might not consider yourself as brave. We let our fears over power us. We might tell other people that we aren't afraid of anything so that they think that we are the bravest person ever. Playing small doesn’t really serve the world you need to stop fear from growing. Know your darkness knowing what your fears are will help with all the confusion that you feel. It might be hard at first because you might not want to think about them but if you don’t they will control your life. Fear itself can convince us to never accomplish
In order to understand the how the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, has changed, it is important to understand the purpose of the BSA. The common misconception of what Scouting looks like, typically sets an image of young boys building a fire and tying knots while camping. This is not entirely untrue, the BSA has a large connection to the outdoors, and many skills are necessary for advancement within the organization. There is no other program or group that can match the BSA. From lessons in leadership and, communication to serving others. The Boy Scouts of America has clearly defined the true purpose of what Scouting is about. In the Scout Oath and Scout Law the BSA depicts the way a Scout should live and how a Scout is defined.
From the friendships they can make that will last a lifetime, to the distinct memories they have of campfire traditions, camp is laced with immeasurable meaning. The skills that children learn and practice at camp can become a part of their identity, and may even grow into passions that they will continue to pursue as an adult. Whether they want it or not, the songs with constantly haunt them throughout the years and though they claim to hate it, they secretly enjoy the reminder of summer fun and adventure. One thing camp taught me that I find of value today, is to say “yes!” to adventures and working with my team to accomplish outrageously fun challenges and
''Teamwork is a fundamental lesson in the military. At basic training, you learn about being a member of a unit. You do not focus on the first person to cross the finish line. You do not focus on the last person to cross the finish line. What matters most — what matters entirely — is that every unit member understands that everyone crosses the finish line"(mydd.com)
The years of hard work and dedication have finally paid off. As I stand with the scoutmaster in front of me, and the audience behind my back, I feel like this accomplishment will not only help me develop as a leader, but also as a person. Becoming an eagle scout is more than a badge and a rank; it is a sense of duty and fulfillment that I have sought for so many years and am finally able to achieve. From Cub Scout to Eagle Scout, like adolescence to adulthood, this momentous occasion symbolizes my entrance into a new world and my readiness to tackle the challenges it has in store for me.
I’ve been ridiculed by most of my friends for being in ROTC and talking about it a lot. ROTC has taught me everything from the military to learning how to act at a formal party. Before the beginning of the school year I went to a camp called Summer Leadership School or SLS which taught me how to drill correctly and act correctly.
As a young child I was a non social person, and did not like to participate in anything. I liked to be an individual person, and do things on my own. I was shy and not outgoing like all my other friends were. When I enter a situation for the first time, I have a hard time speaking up until I feel comfortable. As being as shy as I was, my school work was affected a lot because I would not raise my hand to ask questions if I did not understand something, or go to the teacher for help. It was hard to transition from that stage to being more outgoing and talk more with my peers. It was difficult to communicate with others becuase of this as well, i was not able to be the perosn that i really am.