Why the Boy Scouts are still relevant in today’s world

The Boy Scouts of America just debuted the latest edition of the Boy Scout Handbook. Now in its 13th edition, it tries to help millions of Boy Scouts with modern topics such as how to handle cyberbullying, learning about STEM education and sustainability. First published in 1910, when times were different, some things remain the same, for example, helping guide Scouts through life and its challenges. 

In March, the Scouts met with President Obama in the White House for the Report to The Nation. They talked about the recent accomplishments of the organization, such as the fact that 15.3 million hours of community service were completed in 2015. The value of this time was equivalent to $352 million dollars, according to the report. 

Why is this important? In Kent, where I live and am a Scout, for example, Troop 11 did fundraising and collected food for the Kent Food Bank, worked with the Lions Club, the Kent Conservation Commission and cleaned up litter on Earth Day.

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The Scouts matter to me because it gives me a chance to learn so many things and do great things for myself, Kent, the environment, and other people. I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to write for The Lakeville Journal (I am working on my journalism merit badge) if it weren’t for the Scouts, and I would not have learned so much about the environment. 

The Boy Scouts leads in conservation, using its young members as caretakers for the environment. It truly gives meaning to the term, “Leave no trace,” and now taking it to the next level by starting to leave the world a better place. 

Besides learning how to care for the environment, in scouting you can learn hobbies (like camping, hiking, woodcarving and chess) and career skills such as journalism, computer programming, engineering, law and medicine. In fact, I earned the merit badge for medicine from my father, Dr. Douglas Finch, a physician specializing in infectious diseases.

All the survival skills, community service, career exploration, and helping the environment and others doesn’t just make you “Prepared. For Life,” it makes life better for you. The Boy Scouts are relevant in the 21st century because we are prepared.

Jacob A. Finch lives in Kent with his parents and is a sixth-grade student at Kent Center School. These are his musings on current events, culture and technology.