16% of members in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) are females according to Memberships and Relationships Committee Chair Freddy Norton, and I am one of them. I have been a member of troop 221 for four years. Scouting has positively impacted my life in many ways. I have gained friendships, life skills, memories, leadership skills, and most importantly a supportive community. Within this community, I have grown as a person.
One day last July I understood how supportive the scouting community really is.
I jumped onto my partially lofted bed, the sheets felt cool on my burning skin. I let out a sigh of relief, laying down for a few seconds. I closed my eyes before getting ready to meet up with the other people from my lodge. The door opened and I lifted my head slightly to see which roommate it was. Tessa and I talked about our days and all things that happened in the areas we staffed.
“Did you do anything special for your birthday?” Tessa asked.
I slid off the bed grabbing the clear drawstring bag with the National Order of the Arrow Conference logo printed on it. I explained that I didn’t do anything special and that I was just going to meet the people from my lodge early before the Tuesday night show.
“Well happy birthday. I have marshmallows, do you want some?” Tessa asked.
I accepted the marshmallows, tossing a handful in my mouth as I walked out the door. I waved goodbye with another handful of mini marshmallows. When walking down the stairs, I was thinking about which way to get out of Buckingham Hall. Navigating Buckingham Hall was like walking through a maze.
I walked outside, feeling the dry Colorado heat hit my face as I left the air conditioned building. I was wondering if we would meet outside of Smith Hall or Center for Community (C4C). The sun was so bright, so I had to turn up my brightness on my phone to see where to meet my group. I got a text saying “C4C.”
As I got to the C4C, there was no room on the stone ledge for me to sit. So, I just plopped right down on the ground in front of the scouts from my lodge to wait for the other members. Phil Jensen, the section advisor, offered me his spot on the ledge. I told him that I was already sitting and I was okay on the ground. Ellie walked up behind me with the rest of the group.
“Gabby, what’s your favorite color?” Ellie asked, holding something behind her back.
“Blue,” I replied.
She turned around and I looked back at her and was told to turn around and stop looking. My face started getting redder than it was before from my sunburnt cheeks and then I started giggling because I caught on to what was happening.
“Chocolate or vanilla?” Ellie asked.
She turned around and told me that I could look now, so I turned around and was given a mini chocolate bundt cake with frosting topped with a blue candle. Circled around me, my lodge members sang happy birthday, and I awkwardly laughed.
At that moment I knew the scouting community was the community that I belong in. They were extremely supportive and very friendly. Scouting is an experience I would recommend to all.
