With new Scouts joining troops this time of year, we asked a few senior Scouts to look back on their journeys. Here’s what they loved most, and the memories that stand out:
Theo Ferguson – Eagle Scout, Troop 11
- What I love the most about Scouting is that I’ve met some amazing and inspiring people that I never would have known otherwise. Some of my best friends are from Scouting.
- My favorite memory is from last summer at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, after two intense weeks of trail building, conservation work, and exploring. On the last night of the trek, we watched the sun set from the top of the Tooth of Time and ate dinner on the peak. It wasn’t exactly gourmet—we mixed our remaining packets of spaghetti with mac and cheese in tortillas—but sharing that moment in such a beautiful place with friends made it unforgettable.
Victoria Mbise – Life Scout, Troop 15
- What I love the most about Scouting is cooking during camping trips. I love the collaborative experience and the funny things that happen when we’re learning and things don’t go quite as planned. I can now cook anywhere.
- My favorite memory is cooking lamb gyros at summer camp—they were delicious, even though the wraps had mold on them! I never made gyros, and it was really fun learning how to make a meal I had never had.
Rohan Seshan – Eagle Scout, Troop 4
- What I love the most about Scouting is trying new things and learning new skills, like how to keep a fire going and how to sail small boats. The best way to learn is by doing!
- My favorite memory is stand-up paddleboarding for the first time at summer camp in Emerald Bay on Catalina Island—it was awesome.
Emme Throne – Life Scout, Troop 6
- What I love most about Scouting is all the outdoor activities—yet also how Scouting pushes my boundaries, not just physically (which it does) but also in needing to deal with a boy-heavy troop (who are all great to me, but who are still teenage boys…).
- My favorite memory is our Sea Base trip in the Bahamas. There were 20 of us on a 60′ catamaran, and we slept on the deck and netting. The best part was our time on an uninhabited island where we did trash cleanup, played in the ocean with kayaks and SUPs, and had a huge bonfire.
By Karen Snow Hawkins
Published in the Piedmont Post March 25, 2026