What better way to connect with nature and get experience in a variety of life challenges than through boy scouts? Aidan Lanz, current eagle scout, has been doing scouting since he was in kindergarten which is about 12 years. It was a chance for him to get out and explore the world through camps, badges, and awards.

“I got into Boy Scouts through my dad and he wanted me to do it. He was a boy scout when he was younger so he wanted me to do it too,” said Lanz.

The family tradition of Boy Scouts is important to Lanz and his family. They want to keep the experience passed down through generations. Not only is it a way for connecting among their family, but also for Lanz’s personal experience to be able to have those memories and life lessons.

“I get to do a lot of outings and activities where you get to get away from all the stress of school for a while. We do a couple difference camps, but the one we go to every year is like the generic scouting camp called Tomahawk which is a week long. It’s pretty fun. We do a bunch of different activities, earning merit badges.”

Merit badges are different awards that a boy scout can earn in different categories. For example, if one is trying to earn a merit badge in swimming, they would need to complete a set of requirements in order to do so. They would need to be able to swim a certain distance, learn and act on swim safety, and different ways that one can use swimming. The counselors determine when one can get the badges.

“The counselors have to be certified by the BSA [Boy Scouts of America.] I am currently an eagle scout which is the highest. The largest part of becoming an eagle is the eagle project. You have to plan and execute a service project that benefits a non scouting organization. It has to be completely nonprofit and you have to do all the fundraising yourself. I built picnic tables for a veterans camp. I got all my lumber donated from this one lumber store.”

Eagle Scouts prepares the boys to contribute to society and to give back to the community. It teaches important life skills and once one becomes an adult, they have the opportunity to become a counselor and continue the legacy.

“Since you can’t be a boy scout past 18, I hope to continue to be a camp counselor at the Boy Scout National Youth Leadership Grey Wolf camp. It’s really fun.”