BSA, better known as the Boy Scouts of America, is a group where youth, employees, and volunteers can feel a sense of belonging and develop real-life skills and values. According to BSA, an astounding 54% of men participate in Boy Scouts before adulthood, but only 6% earn the highly respected and sought-after rank of Eagle Scout. 

     The highest rank of Eagle Scout is no easy feat to obtain. It takes on average four to six years of continuous participation, volunteering, and hard work to claim this highly coveted rank. Although the journey is intimidating and lengthy, some would agree that to enjoy Boy Scouts, one needs to have certain preferences. Logan Frye, senior, said, “I’d say it’s an acquired taste. If you enjoy camping and homework, then it’s perfect. Not a lot of people know how many worksheets you need to complete before earning Eagle rank.” Offering this as a potential downside, there are many requirements to obtaining this rank that are not often talked about. It is more than just setting up tents and camping. Frye mentions that there is a lot of paperwork to complete before being able to obtain this rank. Additionally Nathan Bingham, senior, believes that even if one doesn’t make it to the end and finish Boy Scouts, it is still worth the friendships, skills, and experiences that someone gains along the way. Even if there are some cons, they still encourage anyone interested to join. BSA makes sure to prepare all scouts for situations they otherwise wouldn’t expect. Whether it is making a campfire, setting up a shelter without a tent, navigation, or learning several other skills that could prove useful not only in a survival situation but in everyday life as well. 

     BSA holds core values of extreme importance, which reflect one’s character and how one interacts with the people around them. One stressed value is respect. Respect can be used not only during your participation in BSA but during the rest of one’s life as well. It can help in school or even in obtaining a job. Another value that holds much importance to both Adam Rose, senior, and Frye is being helpful.

     When people look at Boy Scouts head-on, the immediate thought is that it is an activity that simply teaches how to survive in the wild and has a minimal benefit for one’s future. If anything, Rose, Frye, and Bingham have proven that idea completely wrong. They have shown that Boy Scouts have improved their life in significant ways, whether it was through teaching them skills, enlightening them on values, or improving their character. They have all shown what Boy Scouts is truly meant to be, and have proven that they are deserving of and have earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout.