Letter: Kids are missing out on scouting
Boy Scouts salute during New Jersey's Boy Scouts Camporee in Sea Girt, N.J. Credit: AP
For political reasons I don't fully understand, membership in the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts has gone way down in the last few years. I am 12 years old and a Boy Scout, and I would like to let people know what they are missing.
In scouting, I have learned many new things and techniques, such as wilderness survival, knife safety, how to start a fire, cooking and the importance of citizenship. I have also done many fun things, such as snow tubing, archery and even staying overnight on a battleship.
With friends I've made in scouting, I've had some of the best times of my life camping, biking and fishing. I think it's sad that, because of political reasons, there are boys who are missing out on this wonderful experience.
Jacob Belyea, Port Jefferson Station
Editor's note: The writer is a tenderfoot with Boy Scout Troop 362.
