Boy Scout Explains “How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others”

In Boy Scouts we are taught the skills of leadership, to be good role model for others. I’ve learned to have a vision, a goal to what I want to accomplish. And through accomplishing my goals, and setting good examples others will follow my lead. This does not mean there won’t be challenges or failures, but by having a good attitude, a cheerful demeanor, I can feel good knowing I tried. Talking about the Boy Scout program is something I love to do.

Last year I took on the role of Senior Patrol Leader in my Scout troop. This was a huge step in responsibility. I was the top leader of the troop, would be responsible for running the meetings, activities and outings. I would be the person the other Scouts looked to for answers, to be responsible for part of their Scouting journey. I needed to lead by example. National Youth Leadership Training had given me some idea on what this whole leadership thing was about, I saw the examples from the previous leaders, I thought okay I got this. I set some goals, made a speech and was elected by my fellow Scouts into the position. I had to work with the other troop leaders to come up with new ideas for campouts, activities and meetings. Sometimes this was the more challenging part as people would not know what to do. This is where lead by example comes in: the more prepared I came with ideas, or suggestions, then my fellow leaders would chime in and we’d get the ball rolling. We may not have succeeded in everything, that is perfectly alright though because we tried our best and together learned to not give up.

While working on this speech, I reflected on my trip and the time spent in Boy Scouts. I found they all complimented each other. The Optimist Club is about bringing out the best in children, and their community; our Scout Oath says “On my honor I will do my best”, and during the Order of the Arrow conference we were told to do our best, to give back, inspire others. By doing simple acts of kindness, serving others, giving back to our community, we show our passions. We can start a movement, a movement of good. By being the example others can follow and the trend will keep moving. We together can change our towns, states, countries, the world. Reach out to another and cheer them on, give them a high five and say “You got this!” Gather together to serve your communities in any capacity. Be a mentor to a youth, be a friend to a senior citizen, clean up a park. This is a challenge I think each and every one of us can accomplish.

Congratulations to this Scout for his incredible accomplishments and leadership in Scouting! How does Scouting help you and your Scouts bring out the best in others? Share your stories in the comments below!