What it means to me to be a Boy Scout.
That we live every day doing our best and living up to the scout oath and law. Because the law and oath are just good for everyone to be and do. Plus it helps me feel connected to my Grandpa who died before I was born. He was a scout leader and my Uncles who were Eagle Scouts.

Nick Dunlap
Troop Guide

What it means to me to be a Boy Scout.
To be one of 9% of boys that have gone through the scout program is very special. You have opportunities to learn and use ideas in programs that you would not otherwise learn. You grow more during these 7 years than at any point in your life. Where else would you learn to tie knots, read a maps, or be a leader of other young men?

What it means to be an Eagle Scout.
To be one of 2% to ever earn the Eagle rank is something that you will always be respected for. You will find in life that people really respect you for what you accomplished. The public will look up to you and respect you to another level. Once you have obtained this rank I believe the expectations are higher in life for you. I think the expectations are higher and people will look to you for answers and help…I personally have had the opportunity many times to use skills and learning’s from the Boy Scouts to be helpful with others.

Once you go through the scouting program you will always be an Eagle, no matter what you do, or where you go.

John Gauld
Eagle Scout Troop 282 – 1972

What it means to me to be a Boy Scout.
Being a Scout and then a Scouter has provided me purpose and focus. In addition, there has been opportunity for adventure and the cultivation of lasting friendships. Outside of family, Scouting has been the most important factor in my life. As I reflect back on my life, the Scouting memories are the most vivid.

Dave Woodman
Directing Medicine Man

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
It had provided me with stability and consistency. These are qualities required for one to have a successful life! In the Words of John Wesley, "It is the journey, not the destination."

What it means to be an Eagle Scout.
Where this is known of me, expectations are higher than those around me which are not Eagle Scouts. Especially at work. This provides me daily with an opportunity and challenge…always meet or exceeding the expectations…as life is without limits!

Rick Bennett
Asst. Scoutmaster

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
It gives me the chance to learn and to grow physically, socially, and mentally. It also makes me fell like I belong some where, and know that it prepares me for the world.

William Chinnery
Troop Librarian

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
Being a Boy Scout leader, to me, means doing my part to help set our young men on the right trail in life. Helping to grow up & be valuable members of society, & successful adults.

Travis Simpson
Troop Committee Member

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
I am an "old scout " I was a cub scout in the 1940’s a boy scout in the 50’s . I can’t imagine the loss of fun times and great adventures that I have had. If I had not selected the choice of being a scout. When I was in college and in the military service I used my scouting training, when our boys we young we camped, fished and went on float trips, always using the scouting skills that I had learned many years ago. In business the rules and laws that we learn are very help full. I guess I am an old scout, it is a great choice.

Gary Leabo
COR

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
When I became a Boy Scout, I resumed a trail that I had started several years earlier. I joined Cub Scouting and enjoyed the years spent earning all of the ranks through Arrow of Light. When I "crossed over" to the Boy Scouts, I was a frightened 11 year old who had no friends in Boy Scouts, and was the lone Webelos Scout who joined the Boy Scout Troop that year. After the first couple of scout meetings where I observed nothing but older, bigger scouts, I was petrified at the thought of going anywhere with these guys, especially 10 days of Boy Scout Camp. After those 2 scout meetings, I walked away from Scouting. No one must have cared, since I was never contacted by any leader or scout about my absence. Two years later, while on a church youth retreat, one of my friends told me about his Scout Troop, what they did, where they went, and my interest in Scouting was again stirred. I joined my friends scout troop, as a 13 year old. I had grown considerably over the last 2 years, and soon became the tallest, oldest Tenderfoot in the troop. My love for Scouting grew like a wild fire. My scout buddies were my best friends. My Scoutmaster was a thoughtful and caring adult who was committed to the Scout program and everything for which it stood. Scouting gave to me an opportunity to camp, hike, fish, learn the woods, develop character, and learn leadership skills. My father had already suffered 2 heart attacks in his life, so camping and fishing were not part of our family life. Scouting became a part of my family life. In 1973, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 15. I earned my God and Country, earned 32 merit badges, attended the 1973 World Jamboree, and began a Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. I have tried to give back to Scouting in the years since, serving as Troop Committee Chairman, Cubmaster, Troop Committee Member for many years, Merit Badge Counselor and Campsite Commissioner (Lone Star). The feeling and desire to "give back" to Scouting what it gave to me is just there. It is inside and is a desire that cannot be put into words. I do know that somewhere at sometime there are other young scouts who need that thoughtful and caring adult, like my Scoutmaster, to be a part of a Scout Troop. Perhaps that Scout will hang in there and not leave Scouting because he was frightened. Perhaps I can be that thoughtful and caring Scout leader.

Mark Mangels
Asst. Troop Chaplain

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
Being a Boy Scout allows you to learn and do things you would never do normally. It takes you places not many have been and gives you a better appreciation for the world around us. The places you go and the people you meet change who you are and make you a better man so that in the future, you can change the lives of others behind you. This is what scouting is to me.

Matt Copeland
Sr. Patrol Leader

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
Pride
Integrity
Perseverance
Determination
Life changing (Mic-o-say more than scouting on its own) Warrior ceremony for me.

Completion of Eagle Scout is viewed highly in the professional fields. It puts you in a distinct group of those whom have accomplished the same goal, which is substantial. Being a scout requires a huge commitment from the boy/young man and the parents. I explain how lucky we were to have the water plant for over nights, tower swing building and a base camp. Many a boy learned from the older boys, including myself, what it means to be a Boy Scout in Troop 282. I’ll never forget the induction ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church with my Mom and Dad standing there behind me. The great blue bus trip to Colorado, Apache Camp, Lolly Bombs, Dripping water in a tub for the adults confined to their bunks, Ricky Bennett acting as a monkey at the top of the swing tower tightening lashes, several alarms ringing out during all hours of the night.

Scouting is a life time of memories to remember and share with others. Mic-o-say is far beyond what people may think based on call night. It is a game changer. When you see a person with claws, hard way or honorary, say and hi and begin talking of the tribe and time stands still for both. Pappy would be proud along with all of those before him.

Chris Mueller
Eagle Scout Troop 282 – 1980

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
To me, a Boy Scout enthusiastically lives up to the Scout Oath and Law. However, he does much more than just follow the morals and duties of Scouts. He also supports his family, community, God, and this country the best way he can. With all of this, he can live up to be a great person that is physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

What it means to be an Eagle Scout.
For Eagle Scouts, they serve a much bigger responsibility. They serve a very important role in leadership, helping other people at their best at all times. I’m no expert on this, but I can get the idea from the Eagle courts of honor I’ve been in. They have stepped into an entirely different level of Scouting.

Tim Phillips
Troop Instructor

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
Boy Scouts is like my family and when I think of that family I think of my family and I think of God, and when I think of God I think of Boy Scouts.

Simon Englehart
Patrol Scribe

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
Here’s my opinion: Being a Scout means to teach and be taught about survival, safety, and to be prepared. Prepared for what you might ask…anything that can come your way. Scouting means so much to me and all my fellow friends in Scouting. So go out there and be a Scout!

Gabriel Englehart
Patrol Scribe

What it means to be a Boy Scout.
Greetings Troop 282, Mr. Howell asked past troop members what it meant to be a Scout. Seems like a simple question…it is also a good Scoutmaster Conference question. I was recently installed as Scoutmaster of Troop 324 in Overland Park and I asked a Star Scout sitting for his Life SM conference the same question this past weekend on our overnight. He told me it meant living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. I thought that was a good response. I also believe most of us would probably respond that way. I then asked him "why"…don’t you love it when your scoutmaster keeps asking you questions? It took him a little while and he said, "to help others." "So when do you help others?"…well…"at all times." I said, "At all times…wow even when it isn’t convenient or even if the other person isn’t friendly?" Then I remembered what my Scoutmaster, Mr. Morris, told me a long time ago. As I joined Troop 282 Mr. Morris told me that my troop had its own motto and the whole troop repeated it, "All for One and One for All." He said we will always help each other.

The scout and I continued to talk and I shared with him something I learned at Wood Badge. We all know the Golden Rule and a gentleman back in the early 1900’s wrote, "The important part of following the Golden Rule is knowing it is your move." I believe that is what it means to be a scout. We say the Scout Oath and Law at each meeting and we know that we should do a good turn daily, and being a scout means that it is our move…that is how it works…we help others first and not wait till it is convenient or if we like the person or if they look the same as we do…we should make the first move no matter.

I have been a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout for over 25 years and I’m still learning what it means to me to be a Scout. I hope you think about the same question and like me it may take some time. I believe now having my two boys in scouts has given me an opportunity to learn even more about what it means to be a scout.

I’m very proud of Troop 282 and my time at the troop as a boy and I will always remember the motto, "All for One and One for All." I am also thankful for the adult leaders of Troop 282 that taught me so much…thank you and God Bless you.

Yours in Scouting,
Kent Bredehoeft
Eagle Scout Troop 282 – 1983