Scouting Provided Focus

I joined Cub Scouts in 1964 at 8 years old. I joined Pack 48, earned my Arrow of Light. Crossed over to Boy Scouts and Troop 48. The adult leadership provided focus to over 70 strong troop. I held many PORs in the troop, including SPL. I earned my Eagle at 16 and stayed active throughout high school. The 60s & 70s was a time of serious unrest in the USA and the world. Boy Scouts provided me guidance to follow the oath and law and stay clean in mind, body, and behavior. Today, nearly 50 years later I’m still active at the unit, district, and council level. I am very proud of the youth I interact with at monthly Eagle BORs. BSA still provides focus to the youth of today. My son is an Eagle, my grandson will be a Lion in a few months. My father was a Scout and an adult leader in my youth. Without Scouting there is no positive future or role models for our next generation.

Submitted by: Bob Vander Decker of Iselin, NJ