Boy Scouts. We all know that Boy Scouts exist, but we may not know what they are and what they do. We’re gonna figure that out.
There’s a lot of boring stuff I can get into about the history of Scouting. One of which being Scouting has been around in the United States since 1910, but we don’t need to cover that today. We’re gonna get into more of the exciting things and some of the basics of scouting. I will wrap up with the four High Adventure bases in the US.
Many people may think Scouting is limited to people in Middle School and High School, but it is offered to all ages.
Age/Grade Requirements:
From Kindergarten to 5th grade, any child can join Cub Scouts. From 11 years old to their 18th birthday, Scouts take part in Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 21 can also be a part of Venturing, which is another branch of Scouting. If you like being on the water and you’re between 14 and 21 years old, you can join Sea Scouts.
It’s never too early or too late to join Scouts and there’s a place for everyone.
Ranks and Requirements:
In Scouting America, there are 7 different ranks. These are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and the hardest to achieve Eagle. Only 5-6% of all Scouts in Scouting America become Eagle Scouts. To achieve a rank, you must complete all of the requirements.
An example is one of the requirements for First Class is, “Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.”
Going back to the Eagle Scout rank you may be asking, “what makes it so hard to get?” It might be the required 21 merit badges or the famous Eagle Scout Service Project, we may never know. You’ll just have to see for yourself. Those who do become “Eagles” get their very own eagle ceremony where they are celebrated for their hard work and determination.
Something special that Eagle Scouts can get is scholarships. The council that covers Victor offers a “Louis & Sally Langie Eagle Scout Scholarship” that gives a $20,000 scholarship to one college-bound Eagle Scout. This covers $5,000 over 4 years. More information can be found by clicking here.
What have I done in Scouting?
So many things can happen during just one person’s time in scouting. Take me for example.
I’ve made 5 different pinewood derby cars, obtained over 30 merit badges ranging from landscape architecture to small boat sailing and Indian lore, attended the 2023 National
Jamboree, went to the Florida Seabase in 2025, made lifelong friends, and participated and staffed the National Youth Leadership Training course offered by the local council, Seneca
Waterways Council. That’s just a few of the things that I’ve done.
Merit Badges:
Danny, what is a merit badge exactly? A merit badge is a badge that shows your work on one of the 138 merit badges there are offered in Scouting America. In order to get a merit badge, you must complete all the requirements, and you need a merit badge counselor. An example of a requirement for the Cycling Merit Badge is, “Cycle 50 miles in one trip, under an 8-hour time limit”.
As previously mentioned, if you want to get the Eagle rank you need 21 merit badges. Of those 21 there are 11 you must get: First aid, Citizenship in the community, Citizenship in the nation, Citizenship in the world, Citizenship in society, Communication, Cooking, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life.
Three of the Eagle required Merit Badges you have a choice to do. These are Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science or Sustainability, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling. The remaining 7 can be any of the other 124 merit badges. For more information about merit badges click here.
What else can I do in Scouting?
When you join Scouts, you choose your own adventure. You can take a deep dive into medicine, cooking, engineering, etc. Or you can just be a part of your pack, troop, crew, or ship (the “team”/big group you are in). You can take risks and step out of your comfort zone or stay comfy. Do what you want to do, although I would highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone if you choose to be in Scouts.
So now we know that Scouts go to places and do various activities and can earn Merit Badges and Ranks, but what else do they do?
They can attend leadership programs, do community service, and meet people in specific professions and learn from them. There’s a lot more that Scouting offers and I would highly recommend joining one of your local troops, crews, ships, or if you fit within the age range of a pack.
High Adventure Bases:
The 4 main high adventure bases. What is a high adventure base? It’s an outdoor place that primarily “older” Scouts go to, but anyone can go. They have a bunch of different activities depending on which one you go to.
- The Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico is notoriously known for its backpacking adventures you can go on.
One of the breath taking views at the Summit Bechtel Reserve during the National Jamboree in 2023. Photo taken by Daniel Kirsch - The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, which hosts the National Scout Jamboree, where every 4 years Scouts from all over America come together for a week.
- Sea Base. There are many locations for Sea Base, including Summerland Key, Florida, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. I traveled to the Sea Base in Summerland Key. It offers many different adventures, one of which is living on their island, Big Muson, for four days!
- Last but not least, Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base, where you can go zip-lining, rock climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting.
These are just a few of the destinations you can go to in Scouts.
There are 2 other high adventure bases that aren’t as popular. They’re the Swamp Base and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. The smallest of the main 4 is technically Florida Sea Base because it offers many activities, and it isn’t just a large plot of land. The largest is Philmont Scout Ranch at a staggering 214 square miles.
Local Scouting Opportunities:
In Victor, we have three youth Scout troops: 60 and 61, which are both all-male youth Scouts, and 6060, which is an all-female youth Scout troop. 60 and 6060 meet in Willowbrook church on Monday nights, 60 at 7:00 and 6060 at 5:30. 61 meets at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Victor on Monday nights at 7:00.
For more information visit the Scouting America website or the Seneca Waterways Council website.
