Memories of Scouting

Scouting is about much more than camping. For many, scouting is a way of life during childhood. Whether it’s participation in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or perhaps an organization such as 4-H, Awana, or Camp Fire, childhood fraternal groups have much to offer. I read recently that one in three girls where I live is a registered Girl Scout. Add that to the number of boys and girls participating in similar organizations, and you discover a truly common experience.

Scouting memories—whether they are yours or those of someone close to you—deserve a place of honor in your scrapbook albums. Try moving beyond the camping trips to create layouts about the significance of scouting in your life, the history of scouting in your family or simply the fun that scouting brings to the children around you.

Scouting in Your Family's History
My own family has a rich scouting tradition. My sister, mother, and grandmother before me were all Girl Scouts. My father, and perhaps his father too, were Boy Scouts. I love looking at the handbooks, sashes, badges, and photographs that have been handed down throughout the years. Try honoring your family's scouting tradition in one of the following ways:

• Create a scrapbook layout for each member of your family that was a scout at some point in his or her life. If you don't have photographs, try looking at national organization websites for photographs of what their uniforms might have looked like, and what kind of badges they would have earned.


• Interview members of your family to discover what they loved the most about scouting, or to uncover a special scouting memory.


• Create a "through the years" layout showcasing scouting photos of different members of your family at different points in time—this will display not only the changes in your family, but also the changes in the scouting programs themselves.

Scouting as a Child
Perhaps you have a pile of old photographs from your own years of scouting. Or maybe you've stashed your old handbook in the back of your closet. Bring them out from hiding and use them to create an extra special layout.

• Try scanning pages of your handbook or old scout memorabilia to create unique background paper.


• Create a page with extensive journaling about your favorite scouting memories, your best experiences, and the ones that make you laugh the hardest looking back.

Your Child's Scouting Experience
If you have a child currently participating in a scouting program, fantastic scout pages are easier than ever. Photographs are easy to obtain. If you can't be present at your child's next scouting event, try sending a disposable camera along with him or her…you may not get stellar photographs, but you will have some. Just a few of the best moments to scrapbook:

• Award and bridging ceremonies
• Newspaper clippings or other publicity pieces
• Camping trips and overnights
• Service projects
• Holiday parties and special events
• Outdoor events, horseback riding, etc
• Your child's feelings about being a scout

Scouting as an Adult
Finally, many individuals choose to be a part of scouting in their adult years. Whether you're simply a financial supporter or if you lead an entire council, your reflections on scouting as an adult are just as important to include in your scrapbooks. Try creating a scrapbook page about one of the following:

• Your thoughts on being a troop leader
• Why you've remained involved in scouting
• What scouting means to you as an adult
• The friends you've made through scouting

Scouting is something that is meant to bring people together. It helps build up children and helps them learn valuable skills for their adult lives. Adults involved in scouting have a chance to be a part of that valuable process. No matter what your family's scouting history or your current involvement in programs, take a moment to include your own scouting memories (no matter how large or small the collection may be) in your scrapbook.

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