SCOUTING GOOD FOR CAREER BUILDERS (2/15/15)

     "My wife is involved with corporate human resources," said one of the Scout Masters of Atlanta Troop 77.   "She said job applicants that list 'Eagle Scout' on their resumes are ones who get noticed."

     For the troop, meetings are held weekly at Oakgrove United Methodist Church near Briarcliff and Lavista roads in Dekalb county.  When Hometown News visited, there was a lot going on at the makeshift outdoor 'camp'.

     Scouts of Troop 77 recently held Advancement Weekend, where young guys could fulfill Merit Badge requirements and market a positive scouting experience for the community. Boys of scouting age were invited to check it out. The group at Oakgrove has a long history of raising Atlanta leaders.

     "I tell our Scouts to be proud when they are wearing a Boy Scout uniform," said Scout Master Randy Carpenter. " It means something to people."  

     Boys are allowed to pitch camping gear in the church lawn.  A complex climbing device made of wood and rope about 15 feet long was in the shadows behind the tents.  This home-made obstacle course was made by the older scouts for the younger ones but also fulfilled a project requirement for a badge.

     Lukas Kersh, Oakgrove resident and Life Level Scout, is getting to the end of his training at age 15.  He's been involved since being an 11-year old kid in the hospital with a cancerous melanoma. 

     "Back then...someone came into my room for an hour a day and talked to me like I was a regular person who didn't have an illness.  And that person came from our Scout Troop 77," said Kersh.   " It made me look on the positive side of things.  My scout leaders taught me values that I might not have learned otherwise."

    The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and oldest values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character,  citizenship, and develops personal fitness goals.

     For over a century, the BSA has helped build leaders by mixing educational activities and values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes "...helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society," according to their website.

     "Some people see us outdoors and think we just teach those skills," said Kersh.  "It's not just carrying a backpack and having the right tools.  I've learned Public Speaking.  I've learned how to communicate with people."

     Kersh mentioned one of his fellow brother scouts whose family was going through a painful divorce.  "I was there for him," said Kersh "...more importantly, Scouting was there for him."
     There are other reasons to join Scouts.  many troops like the one at Oakgrove participate in parades, ceremonial events, and make annual treks to large conferences where participants are able to exchange goodwill with other U.S. Boy Scouts. 

     According to the Scout Master', being a Boy Scout at any level can help you later in life.  "Eagle Scouts...guys that do the homework, they already have a valued skill set," said Carpenter, "...including core values that are needed in today's corporate world."

     To find a troop in your area, go to the national Boy Scout website, http://www.scouting.org/

---Ray Macon