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What is Boy Scouts?
I can describe Boy Scouting in one word: OPPORTUNITY. Everything else branches off of that. Scouting consists of advancement, in which you learn skills of every aspect you can think of. You earn the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally Eagle. Each rank is more in-depth than the one before and with each comes more opportunities and more responsibilities. These ranks are a study of camping, nature, first aid, swimming and ropes/knots. You also earn merit badges. They have a merit badge for every single topic you can think of. There are over 120 merit badges offered. Some include; Swimming, 3 Citizenship's, Environmental Science, Photography, Art, Computers, Camping, Backpacking, Public Speaking, the list goes on and on. You must earn a total of 21 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout, 11 that are required. You may choose the other 10. Some requirements are so demanding that many scouts drop out by the rank of Star (when you need to start earning merit badges for advancement) and less than 2 percent of all scouts become an Eagle Scout.
Of course, three-fourths of Scouting is OUTING. We do a large amount of camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. Many campouts are hands-on learning while others are more of a 'sight-seeing' trip. Troops hold their own campouts and the district (several communities together is a DISTRICT) host Camporees. This is when several troops get together and compete in stations testing their scouting skills. Troops hold scout skills learning weekends; and they go on trips. My own troop has been to Au Sable Chasm in New York, Six Flags in New Jersey and Skiing in Massachusetts. We also often do hikes. Troops do day hikes at a nearby mountain, or, if they chose, may go strenuous to an overnight hike. A few cliques of troops go to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. This is a very strenuous high adventure base for advanced scouts. Troops may also do other outdoor activities such as swimming, sports, and shooting. The highlight of every scouting year is when the unit goes to summer camp. This is a 7-day, 6 night camping trip to a Boy Scout camp every summer. Here, the basis is earning Merit Badges. Boys attend merit badge classes throughout the morning and afternoon and the evening may consist of games and free time.
Another large part of Scouting is helping others. A piece of the Scout Oath states "to help others at all times" Scouts take part in a vast number of service projects. These may range from doing a cleanup at a park, to serving at a soup kitchen, to patrolling a local fair; the sky is the limit.
As a Boy Scout, you have chances to be the leader and the follower. The "adults" do not run a Boy Scout troop. They are basically there because it is the law. The unit leader is run by Junior Leaders- the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) runs the meetings and activities. His Assistant (ASPL) assists him. Patrol Leaders (PL) works under them with small teams of boys known as a Patrol. There is also various numbers of positions in a Troop, from keeping records, to planning menus, to keeping troop gear in tact, to religious services, the list goes on.
Scouting is a world of it's own. If you are in Boy Scouts, you are three steps ahead of everyone else. You have the chances to learn, fail, succeed, make friends, and develop personal opinions of yourself. If you are part of the elite group of boys who become an Eagle Scout (the highest award/rank in Scouting), you have marked yourself in numerous ways. People look at Eagles at someone they can trust, depend on, that has vast knowledge, and that has proven himself as a young man.
If you are not a Scout, I would urge you to become one as soon as possible. As a Scout, people will look at you with respect and honor. Scouting is one of the best organizations you can belong to and it is full of so many opportunities, challenges, and teamwork building, I can't even explain. You have to experience it for yourself. For a closer look at scouting opportunities, join a Scout Troop. You may also read the magazine Boys' Life, which revolves around scouting.
I hope I have answered your questions. If I haven't, please feel free to contact me again. Thank you.
Yours in Scouting,
Patrick McGinnis
Question and Answer Expert Eagle Scout 1999