Most Tuesday evenings during the school year, I find myself in a church basement. Zion Lutheran Church is kind enough to let Troop 5 use their large, carpeted basement for weekly meetings from seven to nine p.m. Each Scout meeting begins with reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Law, the Scout Oath and the Outdoor Code.
Scouting America was founded in 1910 by Robert Baden-Powell, under the name Boy Scouts of America. In 2019, Boy Scouts of America rebranded to Scouting BSA, allowing middle school and high school girls to join and start their Scouting adventures. Prior to this, in 2018, they only allowed girls into Cub Scouts, an elementary school precursor to Scouting. Scouting went through a rebrand in 2025 when its name was officially changed to Scouting America to show inclusivity to all genders.
I joined Scouts in 2022, as the pandemic was easing up. In just a few years, I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would; Scouts is the reason I’m here at Community High School today. Pushed to join by my dad, Scouting is the organization that taught me to lead, speak and connect with others. There are so many opportunities to learn, and later teach, in Scouts.
Edie Kupetz is a current CHS freshman and Scout in Troop 5. She has been a part of the organization since last winter and was excited to join when she found out that Troop 5 included girls, as some troops around Michigan and the U.S. don’t. Kupetz wanted to participate in the outdoorsy and physical activities that Scouting offered. She was worried about starting high school this year because she didn’t know many people at Community, but since joining scouts, she has met many people who already attend CHS.
“There are a lot of opportunities [in Scouts] to become better at leading people and being part of a group,” Kupetz said. “I’ve learned a lot about how to work with people and lead people.”
Experiencing leadership and taking on responsibility is a large lesson in Scouting; there are leadership roles for anyone and everyone. Troop 5 is run by both a girl and a boy Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), who, together, lead the girls’ and boys’ sections of Troop 5 by planning meetings and organizing activities for campouts. The boys’ and girls’ sections of Troop 5 are separate on paper, but in reality, we have a very similar experience. Both parts of the Troop meet every Tuesday and go to all of the same activities. Adult leaders make reservations and plan our summer activities, but Scouting is run by the participating youth.
Merit badges are another way Scouts can engage with their community. It helps them learn and grow in specific topics and areas. I’ve found plenty of interesting badges to complete, but the ones that are required to earn the Eagle Scout rank — the highest rank in Scouts, which requires completing a service project — have taught me the most about myself through learning how to navigate the world. Eagle required badges, like Family Life and Communications, have taught me critical skills like public speaking and goal setting, which I will continue to use throughout my life.
Ryan Silvester, a CHS social studies teacher and forum leader, earned his Eagle in 2011 while he was in Troop 4, right here in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Silvester planned, designed and built a footbridge in Cherry Hill Nature Preserve. It was a difficult project for him to execute, but he still looks back on his work with pride today. He acts from lessons he learned during his time as a Scout.
“‘Be prepared’ is just something that has always stuck with me,” Silvester said. “Also, ‘doing a good turn daily’ is something I think a lot about.”
Silvester believes wholeheartedly in being prepared. He believes that everyone should be aware of their surroundings and prepared for potential situations that may arise. A “good turn” is a helpful or kind act without expecting anything in return. While Silvester might not always have this mindset present, he consistently questions what he can do to improve his school and community through selfless acts — something he learned in Scouting.
Jesse Richmond is a forum leader and math teacher at CHS. Growing up in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, he was involved in Cub Scouts and Scouts, which were attached to his local church. While some Scout troops are affiliated with religious organizations (42%, according to Scouting America), there is a diversity of religions and many non-religious affiliated troops. Richmond’s dad earned his Eagle rank in his youth, and showed Richmond the outdoors aspect of Scouting. But when he joined Scouting, Richmond found that it encompassed much broader topics than just the outdoors.
“[Scouts teaches] some broader lessons about hard work and dedication,” Richmond said.
For his Eagle Project, Richmond used math to determine the exact center of the state of Utah and built a monument at that point. Richmond found it difficult to complete his project and considered scrapping it, but in the end, he stuck with it and is glad he did. Perseverance isn’t the only thing he took away from Scouts, though. Richmond is also grateful for the lessons about how to live respectfully in the outdoors.
Throughout my time in Troop 5, I’ve learned everything from how to pitch a tent and backpack to basic first aid. I’m starting to work on my Eagle Project now, and I only have a year and a half left in the troop. I plan to work with the Ozone House, and I hope my project will have a lasting, positive impact. I’ve watched newer Scouts grow just like I did, even if they don’t yet realize it. I do my best to make sure everyone feels welcome and seen when they join, so that they have a chance to grow into themselves, just like I have and will continue to.
That church basement has become a second home to me. It’s where I was first encouraged to sign up for the Community lottery. It’s where I learned how to tie a square knot and it’s where I’ve grown into who I am today. There’s so much I learned about myself, so many friends I’ve made and adventures I’ve had. In the right Troop, Scouting can teach you how to live and thrive in our changing world.
