what exactly it is that I gained from the scouting program.  I mean, I definitely learned some technical skills like how to cook outdoors, how to set up a tent, and other skills like that. I also learned great leadership skills that have allowed me to excel at my job and in the fraternity that I am in. But the biggest and most valuable things that I took out of this tremendous program are the things that you can’t put a price tag on.

                I started in Cub Scouts going into first grade. I went through the entire program, finishing my eagle project and paperwork the day before my 18th birthday, so I definitely got the full scouting experience. Some of the best memories that I have were made while I was out camping, or having game nights with my friends from scouting. My favorite memory from my scouting career, was when we went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for my last summer camp.

                The group of scouts that I had grown closest to were all there, including my best friend in the world. We took an Amtrack train all the way to Salt Lake City, where for 3 days we got to bond the entire time there. Once we arrived in Salt Lake city, we got picked up in a van and drove the rest of the way there. In my last summer in scouting, I got to go across the country with some of best friends, and do high adventure activities like white water rafting and canoeing. Those memories are going to stay with me for the rest of my life.

                So when being explained to about why your son should join this fantastic program and they say all of the skills that they will learn, that’s part of it, but it isn’t the biggest thing. The most important thing that your son will take out of scouting is that they will be a more well-rounded person, with leadership skills, that learned to be a man alongside some of the best people that they are going to meet in the entire world. My scouting friends are amazing, and If you could sit down with anyone that I have meet throughout my scouting career, any of us could sit down and talk about our favorite memories for hours and not even be close to scratching the surface on all that we have taken out of the program.