By Morgan Willis and Ryan Martin, Scouts of the Year at Grand Canyon Council, Scouting America
Scouting is fun! It’s a hands-on adventure that lets kids explore the outdoors, learn new skills, and to get you away from too much screen time your parents are always bugging you about. Through Scouting America, girls and boys are empowered to go on epic adventures, try new activities, and create long-lasting friendships, all while earning unique skills and cool merit badges along the way.
Scouting prepares kids of all ages just like you to be brave, helpful, trustworthy, friendly, and so much more! Whether you’re adventurous or cautious, whether you’re shy or outgoing, Scouting has a spot for you.
If you think you’d like to be a Scout, ask yourself these questions:
Do you like adventures?
Have you ever dreamed of camping under the stars, hiking on mountains with amazing views, or mastering cool outdoor skills? As a Scout in the local Grand Canyon Council of Scouting America, you can do all this and more. The best thing about Scouting is that you get to discover your own path.
During the summer you might visit camp and learn how to shoot a bow and arrow, or how to tie knots, go on horseback rides, fish, and so much more! During the school year, you can also adventure close to home through impactful service projects, campouts, or other fun group activities. One week you might visit the Phoenix Zoo to learn about environmental conservation efforts, the next you might head to a local charity to drop off food you’ve collected for those in need.
One of our favorite activities that Scouts do is the Pinewood Derby, where you design, build, and race your very own miniature race car on a fast track.
By trying all these activities and more, you might just uncover a new passion or a hidden skill. What is certain is that each day as a Scout is packed with fun adventures.
Do you want to meet other kids and make new friends?
One of the most meaningful parts of joining Scouting are the incredible friendships you’ll make along the way. From campfire stories to group projects, teamwork with pack members to overcome challenges and learn new things is an important part of Scouting. As you participate in new and challenging activities, you’ll naturally develop a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood with your pack.
Your pack is part of a supportive community that brings together kids from different schools, neighborhoods, and backgrounds. During summer camp, you’ll also be able to meet and hang out with Scouts from different cities in and outside of Arizona. Many Scouts say the friends they make in Scouting become some of their best friends for life!
Do you want to participate in fun activities all year round?
Scouting with the Grand Canyon Council offers fun activities and chances to earn Merit Badges all year round. Merit Badges are patches Scouts add to their uniforms after they show they have mastered a skill or area of study. Scouts can earn badges through outdoor skills as well as practical lessons such as first aid and cooking. They are not just symbols of achievement but opportunities to learn and grow in areas you are passionate about. For example, for kids interested in the stars and space, the Astronomy Badge will introduce them to constellations and the mysteries of the night sky. The Wilderness Survival Badge is given to those who master shelter-building and navigation skills in the great outdoors.
High adventure camping takes excitement to the next level with thrilling experiences in the scenic wilderness and exciting activities at any of our four amazing camps in Arizona. Throughout the year, Scouts can go hiking, rock climbing, and participate in shooting sports, as well as winter snow sports and summer water activities. Whether it is embarking on a canoeing expedition or checking out a national park, the Scouts are always up to something new and exciting.
If you’re drawn to outdoor exploration, lifelong friendships, or community service, Scouting provides a supportive environment where you can thrive. Explore new skills, earn badges, and create lasting memories while making a positive impact on yourself, your family, and your community! Discover your path through Scouting and embark on a journey filled with fun!
For more information and to start your Scouting journey today, check out grandcanyonbsa.org.
What these Scouts have to say about Scouting:
Morgan Willis
“Some of my greatest memories are with my Scouting friends. Through a variety of scouting programs, I have been able to go on a ton of different adventures across the country with incredible people I love getting to explore and see new things with my Scouting family, and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities Scouting has given me.
Without all the Scouting programs and opportunities that I’ve had the pleasure of participating in, I would not be the person I am today and I would not have had so many amazing memories to look back on.”
Ryan Martin
“Scouting has allowed me to make lifelong friendships, change hundreds of lives through education, and it has pushed me to achieve goals I never thought possible. None of that would have been possible though had my parents not first enrolled me in Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts taught me how to live my life by the scout oath and law giving me a very basic foundation to build off. Most importantly, it gave me a sense of belonging. I was never super enthusiastic about sports or playing an instrument, but Cub Scouts forced me to come out of my shell and it allowed me to explore passions I still pursue today. A once-a-week meeting is such a small amount of time to pay for memories that will last a lifetime.”
