Boy Scouts...

I've been wanting to write this post for a long time, and turns out that now is an ideal time to write it. Why am I not doing calc...?

I also don't know how many scouts/former scouts are going to read this, let alone find my blog...but if you're one of them, and you feel the urge to heavily criticize me after reading this, I'm not going to stop you.

As many people already know, because of Mr. Wilson (scoutmaster) heading off to Afghanistan, Troop 124 has officially disbanded. In the weeks following the notice, many of the scouts have scrambled to find a troop suitable for them.

Except me.

Ever since the end of camp at Wente last summer, I knew that that camp was going to be the last BSA camp I'll ever attend. What I discovered that week just astounded me...and not in a good way.

When I first joined Troop 124, Scouting seemed like one of the best things ever. But unfortunately, it has digressed to people just caring about their own projects, their own accomplishments, their own glorification, their own vanity. As quoted from the Boy Scout Handbook,

"The good scout is always at work--working to improve himself and to improve the daily lot of others."

The first half stands true. The second part seldom does.

Now the top reasons I don't want to do scouting anymore:

1) It's not for me anymore.
Given everything I've said above, it's gone from a blast to the diminishing of its true meaning. So many scouts today, unfortunately, are very vain and care only for themselves; in the process, they put other people down and are left completely oblivious to the impact of their actions. How/why, I'm not sure. But I keep running to these people in Scouting wherever I go, and I don't want to be a part of it.

This is how I've been recently treated IN SCOUTING BY SCOUTS:

-DUDE YOU SUCK (referring to achievements in and out of Scouting, such as test scores; said not as a joke)
-*whips out music player during camp and blasts it full volume when he has been told numerous times to put it away*
-knocking a VERY EXPENSIVE camera out of my hand just so I couldn't take a picture
-[insert several selfish remarks here]


2) I have other priorities
Namely school. I'm not the most academically talented person ever. But my schoolwork for the last two years has been taking its toll, and my time management skills seem to be lacking. Plus, I do quite a bit of volunteer work outside Scouting and school; I'm surprised that not a lot of Scouts (there are only a few) who keep on doing work for others, not just for a requirement. I know the eagle rank is more than just a huge achievement, but to me, what good are achievements if they turn into obsessions?

"JUST DO IT. IT LOOKS GOOD ON COLLEGE ADMISSIONS."
No. Just no. That is a retarded reason for anything.

3) Parent/scout involvement
Making it to parent meetings is extremely difficult for my parents, who work full time. I understand parent involvement is an integral part of Scouting, but my parents just can't commit to it. Besides, I still remember the day I joined Troop 124; it was one of the ugliest days in the family that lie in my memory.

Being in Troop 124 has taught me a lot and has undoubtedly made me realize things I never would have realized before. I do have a greater appreciation for the outdoors and the community as a whole. Unfortunately, I learn issues like this the hard way. This is not a decision that has come easy for me.

For all those Scouts/former Scouts/soon-to-be Scouts reading this:

Do not let my experiences discourage you. If you are in Scouting right now and you have the time and commitment, I say go for it. Just remember what it really means to be a Scout. If you're a parent of a Scout, don't pull him out; let him see what he wants out of his experiences. What he gains as a person is far more important than any badge, rank, requirement, etc. that he may earn.

Many of you may be asking: "Does he want his boys to be in Scouts one day?"
Well, if my future kids want to be Scouts, I'll fully support them. I'm not going to force them to be Scouts, but I will encourage them. If they can achieve great things in Scouting, I'm all for them.

One of my biggest regrets is not getting involved at an earlier age.