Growth only comes through adversity. The farmer tears the earth before sowing the field. The athlete breaks down muscle fibers in training to build strength. Scouting in the Buckeye Council has experienced steep adversity over the past few years, and significant growth has followed. Scouting has grown by over 10% this year with more than 1,400 new families joining Scouting in the last several weeks. 3,000 participants discovered adventure at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation. Another 1,700 went to Family Adventure Camp with many attendees having their very first camping experience. 5,000 merit badges were earned at camp, 1,800 ranks awarded, and 126 youth have reached the rank of Eagle.

 

Those aren’t the numbers that matter though. And that isn’t the type of growth that counts. While Scouting programs in the Buckeye Council serve thousands of youth and their families, each experience is focused on the individual participant. The youth who learns how to lead their peers over the course of a weekend backpacking trek. The youth who grows in their faith by spending time reflecting in nature at summer camp. The youth who becomes more confident by earning Public Speaking merit badge. Each Scout experiences personal growth every time they put on the uniform. Scouting prepares young people for life.