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Reasons to join Boy Scouts
by JEREMY WILSON
Assistant Patrol Leader, Troop 101
*Archived October 2006 article
Boy scouting is enjoyable for many reasons. First, there are good people in Scouting. I am now 15 years old and I have made some of my best friends at Boy Scouts.
Scouting teaches you important skills like tying knots, performing the Heimlich maneuver and other first aid that can potentially save someone's life someday. Earning merit badges and new ranks provide the feeling of accomplishment.
At the weekly meetings, we usually try to work on requirements for rank advancement all the way from Tenderfoot to Eagle. We have fun activities at the end including dodge ball, steal the bacon, capture the flag, and basketball.
I have learned important skills at the Boy Scouts like how to cook, use compasses, set up tents, and other useful skills.
My favorite activity in the Boy Scouts is camping. Boy Scout summer camp is fun because you learn new things, you earn new merit badges, get to meet other patrols and spend all your money on Skittles at the trading post. You have fun doing all sorts of activities that the camp has planned out for you like swimming, archery, marksmanship, and hiking. During goof-off time, you play cards with the guys back at camp.
Weekend campouts are also an adventure. We sometimes set up in the dead of dark, so you can't see anything, and then we sit around and play cards until curfew. Of course, nobody really goes to sleep at curfew. Our troop goes camping or hiking at least once a month.
And even if you don't like Boy Scouts, you can quit. It's not a lifelong commitment. Come to one meeting and see if you enjoy Boy Scouts. I know I do.
Troop 101 meets every Wednesday at 7 pm at the Koko Head District Park. Age requirements are boys 11 or older, or who have completed the fifth grade.
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