Venturer shares ‘5 Things Scouting Has Taught Me’

LydiaLydia G., a 17-year-old Venturer from Virginia, is active in her church and community, but when people learn she’s a Venturer, they sometimes ask, “What is that?”

Venturing, she tells them, is a youth program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and young women who are at least 14 (or 13 and finished with the eighth grade) but not yet 21. It’s all about providing positive, fun experiences for young people.

“We are unique in the fact that we are youth led,” she tells them. “We plan what we want our adventures to be, and then we plan how we are going to get there.”

But then they ask what she’s learned from participating in Scouting.

That’s when Lydia, who has earned the Venturing TRUST Award, shares this terrific piece of writing with them. It’s called “5 Things Scouting Has Taught Me,” and it’s a nice reminder that what you do as an adult volunteer matters. The proof exists in young people like Lydia.

5 Things Scouting Has Taught Me

By Lydia G.

1. Scouting has taught me what respect and equality can look like.

As a Venturer, every time I put on my uniform, I am more than a female or tagalong sibling. I am a Scout. As such, I am treated as an equal in most Scouting environments, even if I am one of the only females. I work hard and I play hard, right along with every other Scout.

2. Scouting has taught me to know who I am and to be true to myself.

I have been challenged in all of my awards that I have earned thus far to know exactly what I believe and why. This covers everything from my personal faith to why I do what I do in everyday living.

3. Scouting has taught me to get out of my “bubble.”

Sometimes it has taught me this despite myself, but it is something I value. I have never gone to a Scout event or earned an award and not been faced with opposition or trying circumstances. It challenges me to look at things differently, to be flexible, and in all things: DO MY BEST!

4. Scouting has taught me to savor the little things in life that I often ignore.

There is honestly nothing more breathtaking than a colorful sunset or sunrise painted by God. There is nothing more peaceful than gazing at the stars in all their glory. There is nothing more satisfying than realizing you made it through a trying day, and it feels amazing. And there is nothing sweeter than knowing you are part of something.

5. Scouting has taught me the value of teamwork.

No, this is not some new novelty to me, but if you have ever seen a group of Scouts work together, you know exactly what I am talking about. The class clowns and valedictorians, the band kids and the athletes, the CEOs and the janitors, the “well-off” and the “barely making it.” People from different backgrounds, beliefs and cultures, all coming under the “umbrella” of Scouting to get something accomplished. Whether that be planning a Scout meeting or putting into motion a summer camp. We work hard, and we play hard….as a TEAM!

In conclusion, Scouting has taught me many life lessons, more by example than instruction. These are things that no money or class could ever teach me; they are things I value. I would hope that I would continue to learn from being involved in Scouting and that I would be able to teach more by example than instruction.
Read more of Lydia’s writing here.

About Bryan Wendell 3281 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.