There’s something special about watching a Scout’s face light up when they master a new skill or help a younger Scout succeed. It’s those moments that keep us coming back, even when life gets busy, and our schedules feel impossible.
In the latest edition of the ScoutSmarts Scribe Newsletter, I asked Scouts and Scoutmasters about what makes Scouting worth it, why people stay past their first year, and what makes our program different from everything else kids could be doing (sign up to share your experience too!).
What came back was incredibly encouraging: stories about friendships that feel more like family, pride in wearing the uniform, and experiences that simply don’t exist anywhere else. Some responses were deeply personal, others were practical, and many reminded me why I came to love Scouting in the first place. Better yet, within these responses is a roadmap for how we can make our troops even stronger!
In this article, I’ll share the biggest themes from your survey responses, highlight practical ideas for strengthening troop culture, and give you actionable ways to help every Scout feel that same magic that keeps us all coming back. 🙂
The Truth of Scouting: It’s About People, Not Just Programs
When I looked at your responses, one theme dominated everything else: relationships. Whether it’s the joy on Scouts’ faces, friendships that feel like family, or the pride of helping younger Scouts grow, nearly every response centered on the people. Sure, campouts and merit badges matter, but they’re the backdrop for something bigger!
Q: What’s one thing about Scouting that keeps you coming back, even when you’re busy or tired?
“The core memories you create with your fellow Scouts.”
Aurora P.
“The joy on my Scouts faces as they achieve a goal or accomplish a skill.”
Heather P.
“I would tell them that people keep coming back because of the great experience they get to have.”
Holden W.
What really stood out was how many adult leaders mentioned the Scouts themselves as their primary motivation. It’s a beautiful cycle: engaged adults create opportunities for youth to thrive, and seeing youth succeed keeps adults engaged. That’s the secret sauce right there! 😉
The Uniform: More Than Just a Shirt (And How to Make Scouts Proud to Wear It)
The responses about uniforms were also fascinating. While one Scout admitted they don’t love the neckerchief, most saw their uniform as something meaningful – a symbol of trust, belonging, and achievement.
“Wearing a Scout uniform and seeing others with theirs always reminds me how I am part of a larger scouting movement. It also definitely helps Scouts develop a certain respect for each other, especially those with lots of cool patches.”
Nicholas W.
“Wearing the Scout uniform makes me feel proud and accountable at the same time. It reminds me that I represent something bigger than myself—values like service, leadership, and trust. I think it also changes how others see me in a positive way; people tend to view Scouts as dependable and respectful, which makes me feel more motivated to live up to that expectation. The uniform sets a standard for my behavior and encourages me to act with integrity, because I know I’m representing not just myself, but Scouting as a whole.”
Rishi R.
Several Scouts and leaders shared brilliant ideas for making the uniform more meaningful:
- Explain WHY we wear it – unity, visibility, helping others know we’re there to help
- Let Scouts design their own neckerchief or patrol patches
- Use uniform inspections with rewards, not criticism
- Attend district events where everyone wears their uniform proudly
- Be seen in public doing service projects in uniform
“Wearing the Scout uniform makes me feel like I have accomplished so many things and I think others see me differently since the amount of merit badges kinda show more skill? Not to be snobby or anything.”
Grace Z.
Nicholas W. had an especially powerful observation about seeing Scouts from multiple troops at camp: “I remember my first camp with other troops (winter summit), seeing all of the excited Scouts at the morning flag with their Class As, just gave me the most amazing feeling.” When Scouts see that they’re part of something bigger, the uniform suddenly means more! (Cole’s note: Class A’s are now oficially called Field uniforms, as the BSA wishes to separate itself from the military acronyms)
What Scouting Does Better Than Anyone Else
Your responses highlighted several things that make Scouting unique. While other activities might do one thing well, Scouting combines elements that you simply can’t find anywhere else!
1) The Perfect Balance of Youth Leadership
“I seem to like how scouting has just the right balance of youth leadership. Other clubs either never get anything done, or its all done by parents or teachers.”
Eli M.
This is huge! Scouts actually lead, make real decisions, and see the consequences (good and bad) of their choices. Try finding that in soccer or piano lessons!
2) A Complete Development Package
“Scouting isn’t just about earning badges or attending meetings; it’s about knowing that my effort matters to other people.”
Rishi R.
Unlike programs that focus on just academics, sports, or competition, Scouting develops the whole person. Leadership, service, outdoor skills, and character all comes together in Scouting to build confident, capable people!
3) Flexibility Within Structure
“You can just do what YOU want like if you don’t care about advancement and just want to do the outing or vice versa”
Finian O.
This flexibility is something parents don’t always understand at first. Scouting meets kids where they are. Want to focus on camping? Great! Prefer merit badges? Awesome! Just here for the friends? That works too!
Why Scouts Stay: The Real Reasons Behind Retention
When asked why Scouts stay past their first year, the responses revealed some powerful insights that every troop should pay attention to:
It Gets More Meaningful Over Time
“People stay in Scouting because it keeps getting more meaningful over time… You start to see how the skills you’re learning actually apply to real life.”
Rishi R.
This is crucial for retention! The first year might be about learning knots and going camping, but year two and beyond? That’s when Scouts start teaching others, leading patrols, and realizing they’re actually becoming the person they want to be.
The Goal of Eagle Matters (But It’s Not Everything)
Several responses mentioned Eagle as a motivator, but interestingly, it was rarely mentioned alone:
“The goal of Eagle (having a goal is what really motivates me)”
Finian O.
Having a big goal helps, but notice how Finian emphasized that it’s about having ANY goal. Troops that help every Scout find their personal “why” – whether it’s Eagle, high adventure, or just being a great patrol leader – keep more Scouts engaged!
The Campouts Are Everything
“The biggest thing for me is the campouts. Every time I go on one, I always leave feeling inspired.”
Nicholas W.
This came up again and again. Campouts are where where friendships deepen, skills get tested, and Scouts discover what they’re capable of. If your troop is struggling with retention, look at your camping program first!
Fresh Ideas for Building a Stronger Troop Culture
Based on the survey responses, here are practical ways to strengthen your troop:
Create “Your Why” Moments
Eli M. mentioned that Scouts need to find their “why” to stay motivated. Help every Scout identify what excites them most about Scouting. Is it camping? Leadership? Helping younger Scouts? Once they know their why, connect them with opportunities to pursue it!
Make Service Visible
Multiple respondents mentioned the importance of being seen in uniform doing good things. When your troop does service projects, make sure you’re visible in the community. Let Scouts see how others react when they help, having that proof that you’re doing good in your comminuty, and the feeling of pride that comes from it is powerful!
Celebrate the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Aurora P. wisely noted that Scouts should appreciate that “even the smallest patch has the biggest worth.” Create a culture where effort matters as much as achievement. Celebrate the Scout who finally tied their first bowline as enthusiastically as the one who just earned Eagle!
Mix Ages Intentionally
The survey showed how much both younger and older Scouts benefit from interacting. Create structured opportunities for this beyond just meetings. Older Scouts teaching skills, younger Scouts sharing fresh enthusiasm – everyone wins!
The Adult Leader Perspective: What Keeps Us Going
Adult leaders also shared some beautiful insights about their motivation.
“The Scouts. The need for role models, as well as patience, kindness, and many of the other points of the Scout law when working with them.”
Karl K.
“Seeing the growth of the young men.”
Jerry N.
For adult leaders feeling burned out, remember this: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up and care. The Scouts see your effort, and it matters more than you know!
Building Bridges: How to Welcome New Families
Several responses touched on the importance of making new members feel welcome. Here’s what works:
- First Impressions Matter: Karl K. emphasized helping new members feel welcome and that “others are here to help”
- Show Results: Aurora P. mentioned that Scouting “lets you see your results and makes all of the work worth it and recognized”
- Be Inclusive: Multiple responses mentioned creating an environment where everyone feels they belong
Pro tip from the responses: Have current Scouts share their stories with new families. When a Life Scout tells a new Tiger parent about their journey, it plants seeds of what’s possible!
Practical Takeaways for 2026
For Scouts: Remember what Aurora P. said about building bonds “that make us more like family than just friends.” Invest in those relationships. Welcome new Scouts. Share what you love about Scouting. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
For Youth Leaders: You have more influence than you realize. As Eli M. noted, Scouting has “just the right balance of youth leadership.” Use that leadership to create the troop culture you want to see. Plan campouts that inspire. Run meetings that move. Make it fun!
For Adult Leaders: Focus on what Heather P. called “the joy on my Scouts faces.” That’s your fuel. When things get tough, remember that you’re not just teaching skills – you’re shaping lives. And as VN reminded us, you’re teaching kids “to do the right thing.”
For Parents: Your Scout needs to see you value what they’re doing. Wear your own troop shirt if you have one. Ask about their adventures. As Dave G. suggested, help them “complete the program” – not by doing it for them, but by encouraging them through the challenges!
Conclusion
Reading through these survey responses reminded me why Scouting has survived for over a century. It’s not because of our handbook or our merit badges, it’s because of what happens when you put caring adults and eager youth together with a shared purpose!
Grace Z. captured it perfectly when talking about her motivation: “My friends… motivate me to be the best Scout I can be.” In Scouting, we can always rely on the people around us to make each other better!
Whether your troop is thriving or rebuilding, remember this: Every meeting, every campout, every interaction is a chance to create those moments that keep Scouts coming back. Focus on relationships, celebrate effort, make it fun, and trust the process. The badges and ranks will follow, but more importantly, you’ll be building something that matters!
Here’s to another year of adventures, growth, and those magical moments that remind us why we all fell in love with Scouting in the first place. See you on the trail! 🙂
Complete Survey Response Highlights
Below are the complete responses from our survey participants. These insights offer even more gems of wisdom about what makes Scouting special and how troops can continue to improve!
| What keeps you coming back? | How the uniform makes you feel | Making Scouts proud of uniforms | What Scouting does better | Why people stay past year one |
| Merit badges and requirements! | It makes me feel confident. | Make sure to wear it every meeting, and explain why the uniform is important! | You can engage more with people and make lasting connections. | That it is a good and supportive community! |
| Creating a good program for the scouts | Part of something good | Emphasize being a team / unity | Teaches kids to do the right thing | Personal growth |
| Fun | Seen, IDK | By encouraging all to wear their uniform | Youth protection | It’s fun, learning new skills |
| The joy on my scouts faces as they achieve a goal or accomplish a skill. | I like wearing my uniform. Others that see it know they can come and ask any scout question they have. | Use rewards for inspections, and have their input on new neckerchief and patrol patch design. They will make it their own and want to wear it. | They offer more than most in a variety of skills and develop real life skills and knowledge that can be used into adulthood. | The challenges, skills and adventures are always changing and increase the fun you have. |
| The sense of purpose and responsibility it gives me. Scouting isn’t just about earning badges or attending meetings; it’s about knowing that my effort matters to other people, whether that’s helping my troop, leading younger Scouts, or serving my community. | Wearing the Scout uniform makes me feel proud and accountable at the same time. It reminds me that I represent something bigger than myself—values like service, leadership, and trust. | Troops can help Scouts feel more confident and proud wearing the uniform by creating a positive, supportive culture around it. When leaders model pride in their own uniforms and explain the meaning behind the patches, ranks, and achievements, Scouts are more likely to value what they’re wearing. | Scouting develops the whole person. It gives you hands-on experiences through outdoor activities, service projects, and leadership roles where you actually practice decision-making, teamwork, and responsibility. | People stay in Scouting because it keeps getting more meaningful over time. You’re trusted with more responsibility, leadership, and opportunities to make a real impact. |
| Fun | Its cool but I dont like the neckerchief | Require all uniforms to have the proper patches, not falling off or missing | Education | To complete the program |
| Excitement of Cubscout Pinewood derby | Proud | Consistent | It’s fun | |
| The scouts. The need for role models, as well as patience, kindness, and many of the other points of the scout law when working with them. | It makes me feel part of the unit or event, that I belong. | Discuss why we wear the uniform — make us look as one, let others know we are there (and can help), etc. | Help new members feel welcome. | The sense of belonging, and others are here to help. |
| The biggest thing for me is the campouts. Every time I go on one, I always leave feeling inspired. Some of my favorites include staffing OA Ordeals and Winter Camps. | Wearing a Scout uniform and seeing others with theirs always reminds me how I am part of a larger scouting movement. I remember my first camp with other troops (winter summit), seeing all of the excited scouts at the morning flag with their Class As, just gave me the most amazing feeling. | Attend camps and events with Scouts from other troops. If the scouts love competitions I would highly suggest a camporee that your lodge may host. More independent scouts could attend higher-level events like OA Conclave or Jamboree. | Scouting definitely motivated youth from a wide age range to be active in the organization. From leading meetings, learning First Aid, or attending a high adventure camp, there is almost always something to keep everyone engaged. | Most people stay because they make friends with their patrol mates and get to bond over a shared experience. I also believe that once a Scout starts earning ranks, they will feel much more motivated to stay and earn Eagle. |
| The people and experience is what keeps me coming back to scouts. | Wearing the Scout uniform makes me feel proud and I think it changes how people see me because it shows that people can rely on me. | Tell the scouts that it shows that people can trust and rely on you. | Scouting lets me be more open to people and express myself. | I would tell them that people keep coming back because of the great experience they get to have. |
| The core memories you create with your fellow scouts. | It makes me feel empowered. I love the feeling of looking at patches and being able to feel the work I put into them. | Remind them that even the smallest patch has the biggest worth just because they put effort into it. | It lets you see your results and makes all of the work worth it and recognized. | I would tell them that it’s because we build bonds that make us more like family than just friends. |
| My friends always keep me coming back, they have helped me stay active for years! | People see the scout uniform from many different views, some very much respected, and when they do, that makes me feel very prepped. Others seem to smirk at it because for some reason scouts get made fun of 🤷🏻♂️. (i really hate saying that.) | I feel if we could do more to show our involvement and importance to the community, people would appreciate us more and scouts would be more proud. | I seem to like how scouting has just the right balance of youth leadership. Other clubs either never get anything done, or its all done by parents or teachers. | I would tell that scout that those who stayed past a year found their “why”. Mine would be my friends and I know how important and beneficial it can be to have an Eagle Scout rank as an adult. |
| One thing about Scouting that keeps me coming back is my friends. They motivate me to be the best scout I can be even when I’m tired. | Wearing the scout uniform makes me feel like I have accomplished so many things and I think others see me differently since the amount of merit badges kinda show more skill? Not to be snobby or anything. | Troops can definitely make more of an emphasis on wearing them. I know in my troop nobody really wears it unless it’s their BOR. | Scouting does a really good job of maintaining new activities. Oftentimes my clubs at school have the same activities and it gets boring. | I’d say just for the thrill of learning new things and going on new adventures. |
| A thing that keeps me coming back in scouting is the organization. A lot of scouts in my troop do a great job of being welcoming and helpful, and we know when to be focused and when to goof off. It’s an environment that makes you want to come back. | Wearing the scout uniform makes me feel ready for most things, and I get in a mindset when I put on the uniform. | I feel that most scouts feel confident and proud wearing the uniform. I am not sure what else could be done. | Scouting gives probably the best atmosphere of people your age that anyone could find. It is a great group to be part of, and although some troops are better than other troops, most troops will do their best to make you feel welcome, and appreciated. | People stay in scouting after the first year for 1 or more of a few reasons: 1, the environment, 2, ranking up and getting awards, and/or 3, getting into a place of leadership within the troop. |
| Working with the scouts. | Proud to be a scout | Be seen in public with the uniform (parades, service projects). | Safe activities for youth | The fun, outdoor activities, and the friends you make |
| The goal of eagle (having a goal is what really motivates me) | It makes me feel more official and important also it feels good to be able to show off your rank which you worked hard to get | In my troop I dont know if there are anyways to improve that | You can just do what YOU want like if you don’t care about advancement and just want to do the outing or vice versa | It’s just fun and there’s an outing every month, it’s also a good way to start practicing your leadership skills |
| Seeing the growth of the young men. | Proud. Hopefully others see it with respect. In my city, that is not a guarantee. | Complement them on how good it looks. | Foster teamwork and membership in something greater. | Because it is FUN! |
Additional Gems from the Survey
Some responses contained wisdom that deserves special highlighting:
- Tom G.’s mention of “Excitement of Cubscout Pinewood derby” reminds us that specific traditions and events create lasting memories that keep people engaged.
- Angela T.’s point about “Youth protection” highlights an often-overlooked strength of Scouting – creating a safe environment for youth to grow.
- Eli M.’s honest admission about scouts sometimes getting made fun of shows the real challenges our Scouts face, and why community visibility and pride matter so much.
- Julian O.’s insight about knowing “when to be focused and when to goof off” captures the balance that makes great troop culture.
- Jerry N.’s note that respect for the uniform “is not a guarantee” in his city reminds us that we need to earn community respect through our actions.