Back in 1979, I joined Cub Scouting, and in 1982 I joined Boy Scouting, and in 1987, I joined Exploring. I became an adult leader in 1990 as an Assistant Scoutmaster for my troop. In the nearly two decades since I have been a Den Leader, Assistant Cubmaster, and Cubmaster, a Commissioner, and served on various District and Council Committees. Currently I am registered as a member of my Council's Museum Committee. I have also been a merit badge counselor for Electronics, Radio, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness Merit Badges for several years.
In 1988 I attended both the National Exploring Conference in Boston, MA as well as the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Ft. Collins, CO. I was on Shows Staff for the 1989 National Scout Jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill, VA. I was on the training staff of the 1990 National Order of the Arrow Conference in Bloomington, IN. I was the editor of the newspaper at the 1992 National Exploring Conference in Columbia, SC. I was also on staff for the 1998 National Exploring Conference in College Park, MD.
I'll be honest, when I was a kid, earning accolades drove me on. And I think that's the way it should be, when we get older it is time to help the youth enjoy that same feeling we had, so I don't seek to earn anything these days. But alas, a few "knots" have found their way onto my uniform, and I wear them all with pride: My Eagle Scout being the most prized. I also was the recipient of the Explorer Achievement Award, Pope Pius XII Scout Medal, Explorer's Key, Commissioner's Arrowhead, Webelos Den Leader and Cubmaster awards.
