Scouting is more than just an extracurricular option – it’s a unique journey that transforms young people into leaders, adventurers, and compassionate citizens! For some, Scouting is a way to connect with family, nature, and new friends. For others, it’s a place to learn vital life-saving skills you’d otherwise never know. For many—myself included—Scouting is a way to become your best self!

On my own journey to becoming an Eagle Scout, I learned character-defining lessons and forged core memories alongside troop buddies. But, you’re not going to be hearing about my experiences in this article. Instead, get ready to hear from over 50 Scouts and Scoutmasters as they share why Scouting matters to them. 😀

Why Does Scouting Matter? Is The BSA Relevant Today?

“Why does Scouting matter to you?” and “Is Scouting still relevant today?” are the questions I asked readers in my ScoutSmarts Scribe Newsletter (sign up to share your experience too!). And, in no time, my form was filled with exceptional stories of Scouting’s importance. For their privacy, the repliers will stay anonymous, but an enormous thank you if you wrote in!

Read on to find out about the lessons, adventures, and memories that other Scouts and Scoutmasters value the most. I bet you’ll find you have quite a few things in common with then, and you might even be inspired to spread the word about what Scouting means to you! So, without further ado, let’s dive in…

Scouts BSA Provides Experiences You Can’t Get Anywhere Else

We tell our Scouts, “Everything you ever wanted to learn or try, that they don’t offer at your school, you can learn in Scouting.” Scouting is a safe place for kids to try new things and learn on their own.
Nowhere else in my life have I gone on so many adventures and learned so much. I owe so much of my skill and confidence to Scouting!
It’s the gifted and talented class for real life—stuff that I can’t get at school. I may not need to know how to do algebraic equations ever again, but I sure need to know how to sharpen knives, tie knots, talk to adults, present to a group, teach others how to do things, and more.
Scouting has let me explore my interests even more and teaches me valuable life skills that no other organization is teaching.
Scouting is a family tradition for us. My grandmother and mother were Girl Scouts. Thus, I grew up in Girl Scouting and was a Gold Award recipient. My husband is an Eagle Scout, and his father and grandfather were Scouts as well. Now, our son is working on his Eagle advancement. Our own time in Scouting taught us things we would have never learned in school and has given us experiences that our families could not have done for us on their own. 🙂

Did you know? In the United Kingdom, where Scouting began, the highest rank is King’s Scout. As you probably know, the United States has Eagle Scouts instead!

Scouting Gets You Out Into Nature.

In my opinion, Scouting is more important than ever. It provides a unique opportunity for kids and teens to unplug from technology and connect with nature. With so much time spent in front of screens, it’s important for young people to have the chance to explore the outdoors and develop a sense of adventure.
Scouting gives my family opportunities to grow in our love of nature and to meet with like-minded youth!
I get to experience and go places that I would not be able to if I was not a Scout.
Scouting exposes youth to the beauty of nature and the reasons that we must become good stewards of this earth.

Did you know? In the past, a ton of Scout badges were related to farming. There was even a Nut Culture badge, which you could earn by learning how to farm nut trees! You can find out about other wacky merit badges in the linked article!

Scouts BSA Prepares You For a Bright Future.

Scouting helped shape me into the person I’ve become. I see that it can offer great programs to help provide opportunities for today’s young men and women to succeed in today’s world.
It has helped me present well in school, talk to adults like an adult, and do everyday stuff like build campfires when my friends can’t!
It teaches us skills to succeed in life!
Scouting matters to me because I know that it will show that I have discipline and leadership in the future when I apply for jobs.
The skills and values that Scouting teaches, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, are crucial in today’s world.
It teaches young people how to work toward and accomplish their goals.
My son, who is an Eagle Scout, noticed it matters when applying for college, scholarships, and jobs!

Did you know? Twelve people have walked on the moon…and all but one of them were Scouts. The first-ever moonwalker Neil Armstrong was an Eagle Scout, and even sent a radio message to his fellow Scouts from space!

Scouting Encourages Youth to Give Back

People rely on the Scouts for activities and volunteering. It is also an example of how upstanding people act.
It teaches our youth of today how to be patriotic and how to take care of their community and country and give back.
Scouting really helps me grow as a human being and helps me make the world a better place.
Scouting matters to me because I want to become an Eagle Scout and help others along the way!
Scouting instills good morals and values in the Scouts who join. It gives them a purpose in life that is for the greater good. 🙂

Did you know? Dr. Seuss was a Boy Scout! He was one of countless Scouts who sold Liberty Bonds to help support the war effort during WWI. He even got to meet President Theodore Roosevelt!

Scouts BSA Helps You Make Friends

My Troop works together as a team and it makes me realize that I have friends, other people that have the same general beliefs as me. We are like a family in my Troop and always encourage each other!
Scouting matters to me because it is a way to connect and have fun with others you would not have met without Scouting.
Scouting has let me meet amazing people who are now my good friends.
I get to meet new people and have fun!
The friendships that you make in Scouting will follow you through your life.

Did you know? Famous painter Norman Rockwell was a Scout and continued to support the organization for decades. He was the first art director for Boys’ Life magazine and created illustrations for the Boy Scout calendar for free!

Scouting Teaches Practical Life Skills.

In today’s society, it is difficult to find time to get away from electronics and homework. From Scouts, you can learn important life skills such as money management, how to be a good citizen, leadership and so much more. You also learn about responsibility and time management as you work through the ranks.
Scouting helps me make friends, earn skills, and be prepared for anything life throws at me.
Scouting teaches so many very valuable skills, like cooking and first aid, as well as leadership skills. I think it is important to have these skills because it makes you a better and more capable human being.
Scouting is definitely relevant today because a scout is thrifty! More than ever, we need to know how to use our resources wisely.
Scouting teaches young men and women outdoor skills including survival and knot-tying, which come in handy all the time. Scouting also teaches citizenship, leadership, and outdoor ethics, all of which are current and imperative to know today.
Scouting helps people learn basic survival skills that they could have to use at any time in their lives. Scouting helps us to be prepared!
Scouting is a way for teens to have life-changing adventures while also learning so much in the process—not just through the many diverse merit badges but through experiencing teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving in the campsite.

Did you know? The Honolulu Boy Scouts sprang into action after the Pearl Harbor attacks, administering first aid to the wounded. They also ran and biked to bring messages to and from the harbor!

Scouts BSA Helps Youth Become Leaders

Scouting is building the leaders of tomorrow. This means it is very relevant because we need strong leaders and Scouting produces them. 😀
As camp staff I’ve seen so many kids build up that same confidence that I have learned while gaining relevant life skills.
Scouting teaches valuable life and leadership skills!
It helps me practice patience and leadership.
I enjoy taking part in the ceremonies and learning fun outdoor skills. I also like being a leader and role model to younger Scouts!

Did you know? Five U.S. presidents–John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama–were Boy Scouts, and Jimmy Carter was a Scoutmaster!

Scouting Makes You a Better Person

Scouting has given me the opportunity to challenge myself and push my limits, whether it’s through hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities. Overall, Scouting has helped shape me into the person I am today, and I am grateful for all the experiences and lessons it has given me.
Scouting matters to me because it teaches me how to be a good person in my everyday life.
With increased pressures upon the youth of today from actual and perceived expectations, it’s important to keep an eye on fundamentals, which are conveniently emphasized in the tenets of Scouting!
Scouting has offered our family extra tools as we create a foundation for our children to ensure they grow into productive and responsible citizens of their community, country, and planet.
All of the points of the Scout Law are still important values.
It makes me work on things I would not have the confidence or opportunity to do otherwise. I have become a much better student and individual since I have been in Scouts!
Scouting taught me and my peers maturity, respect, and values that are rarely enforced or touched upon in education today. I’m so glad that Scouting gave me this chance to grow in ways that I couldn’t have had otherwise, not only as a Scout and an adventurer, but as a person in life in general.

Did you know? Scouting came to the U.S. from the United Kingdom because of a random act of kindness! In 1909, American businessman William Boyce got lost during a trip to London, and a young boy led him back to his hotel. When Boyce offered to pay the boy for his help, the boy said no, telling Boyce he was simply doing his “good turn” as a Boy Scout. Boyce was so impressed that he founded the BSA upon returning to America!
To learn more about the unknown Scout and the origins of Scouting, check out the interesting video (2:47) below!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a TON of reasons to love Scouting! These responses and fun facts show how big an impact Scouting can have on Scouts, their families, and even their communities. From friendship to first aid, art to adventure, walking through forests to walking on the moon, Scouts do some amazing things! 🙂

Thanks for reading, and for supporting the betterment of our nation through your involvement in Scouts BSA! If you enjoyed learning about this, I’d highly recommend also checking out any of the following articles if they spark your interest:

Did you learn something new by reading this article? What part of Scouting means the most to you? I challenge you to share this list with your fellow Scouts and discuss your own thoughts on why Scouting matters! It’d definitely make for a fun meeting, and make your future adventures feel all the more rewarding.

Well, that’s all for now. Until next time, I’m wishing you all the best on your Scouting adventures! 😀

The Importance of Scouting (And Its Relevance Today)