in Scouting, they really aren't kidding. I have been registered in the Boy Scouts of America since 2002, starting off as a Tiger Cub, earning my Arrow of Light, Eagle Scout, Venturing Silver Award, Regional Venturing Leadership Award, and completed my youth tenure in the BSA this year as the Central Region Venturing President, serving as the face of the Venturing program on the National Venturing Cabinet and representing the nearly 500,000 youth members in the Central Region to the Regional Executive Board as 1 of 2 youth. To say that Scouting changed my life is a drastic understatement. I am the person, the leader I am today because of Scouting. 

 

First, I want to talk about the opportunities I've had to see the country in Scouting. With Troop 75, I went to 5 different summer camps, where I did activities in 9 different states, not including transportation. I've gone white water rafting in West Virginia and Wyoming. I've gone zip lining, kayaking, repelling, climbing, canoeing, swimming, and have had so many other memorable experiences. Outside of the troop, I have also seen the country and the world. During my term as Region Venturing President, I went to Detroit, St. Louis, Dallas, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, San Diego, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., Omaha, Cleveland, Akron, Indianapolis, Canada, Japan and Guatemala, all through the Boy Scouts of America. Each place is a new adventure, and has given me a passion for trying new things, going to new places, and meeting new people.

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In addition to seeing the country, Scouting teaches very important life skills through camping and troop meetings. My biggest takeaway was goal setting. People can accomplish anything they set their mind to, as long as they know how to make a plan and they believe in themselves, and that is what Scouting teaches youth. Back in December of 2014, I came home after finishing my first semester of college. Like most freshman, I looked at the scale and was amazed that I was 15 pounds heavier. Right then and there, I set a new goal for myself, run the Chicago Half Marathon in May.  I am not an athletic person, but I set a new goal, and after training for 5 months, I completed the Chicago Half Marathon in 2.75 hours. I attribute all of my successes in life to Scouting because this is where I learned how to turn my dreams into a vision of future success that I was able to achieve.