There was a point in my Scouting journey when I felt like giving up. Life was getting so busy with school, sports and clubs that Scouting started to fade into the background. At the time, I was a Star Scout, and even though I had already experienced so much, I didn’t feel that same drive to keep going. I remember asking myself, “Why am I even doing this anymore?” I was tired. Letting go felt easier.
But what kept me going was the people. Growing up as an only child, the friendships I built in Scouts were real. We camped together, made mistakes together and learned lessons in the middle of the rain or by the light of a dying fire. Every meeting and every trip brought something new. How to lead a group, how to cook a meal, or how to tie a knot. I grew up with these boys, and they became like my brothers. Brothers who shaped who I am today. They reminded me that Scouting wasn’t just about checking boxes to earn the next rank. It was about growing and learning life skills alongside people who truly wanted the best for each other.
Eventually, I became the senior patrol leader. That role came with a lot of responsibility, but more importantly, it gave me the chance to give back. I began helping my younger brothers during campouts and meetings and learned what it felt like to guide someone. Whether it was tying knots, setting up tarps, or simply building their confidence. I remembered what it felt like to be in their shoes, unsure of what to do, and I wanted to be someone they could count on. That’s when Scouting became even more meaningful to me. It stopped being just about what I could gain and became about what I could give.
Then came the Lahaina fires. It hit close to home. Our troop and my church immediately jumped into action, unloading water, passing out supplies, and doing whatever we could. I was close to people who had lost everything. My entire troop knew we had to do something. That experience brought it all full circle for me. In a time of tragedy, Scouting gave me the structure and tools to serve with purpose. It showed me how to stay calm, how to lead and how to support people when they are at their lowest.
One of the most meaningful moments for me came after all of that, on a trip into the crater of Haleakalā with some of my closest Scout and non-Scout friends. No rank, no agenda, just us, backpacks on, miles away from cell service or stress. That trip gave me time to think, to breathe and to reflect on how far I’d come. We explored, shared stories, and laughed until we couldn’t breathe. It made me realize how close I’d grown to these people who had become like family. Scouting had given me so much. From the National Jamboree, where I met people from all over the country, to sailing a pirate ship in the Florida Keys. These weren’t just trips I took for fun. They were milestones that helped shape the person I am today.
Looking back, I realize how different things could’ve gone. If I had quit when I felt overwhelmed, I would’ve missed out on so many lessons, so much growth, and a whole family I can always count on. Scouting helped me stay grounded. It taught me to make decisions based on values, not pressure. It taught me to lead by example, to speak up when something is wrong and to put others before myself. When I’m faced with tough choices, in school, in friendships, or in life, I fall back on what Scouting taught me: be trustworthy, be helpful, and live by the Scout Oath and Law. Do the right thing, even when no one’s watching. I’m proud to say that Scouting didn’t just give me memories. It gave me a mindset and a moral compass that I carry with me every day. It shaped who I am, and it continues to shape who I strive to be.
Reprinted with permission from Noah Kalehuawehe.
