Scouting Across the Nation and Across the World
Scouting happens in church basements, at summer camp, and at district activities all across America. It also happens around the globe at the World Scout Conference in Egypt happening this summer. Only a handful of individuals from across the country are selected to represent the United States in Egypt, and after a 6 month application process, Josh Squirrell from Orrville is one of the chosen few. At the conference, Josh and 1,500 other participants from across the world, will have the opportunity to make decisions that affect the world Scouting movement. Josh is very excited to represent the Buckeye Council and Troop 60 in Orrville. Not many youth get a chance to display their hometown on an international stage.
The Scouting program has provided Josh many other opportunities for his life beyond the uniform. Not only has it helped him get an internship while still in high school and provided scholarship opportunities, but he's been able to travel to 13 states and Puerto Rico because of Scouting. "The friendships are the most powerful. I went on a vacation to California with friends made in Scouting. It reinforces why the program matters!" says Josh.
To younger scouts, Josh encourages them to make the most of the experience of Scouting; "the more you enjoy the program the more you will get out of it." He also says that "there's a lot of worthwhile things in school that will try to draw you away, but the experiences in Scouting have opened more doors that translate into the professional world."
