As another school year kicks off, many families are considering new activities for their kids. For thousands, that means starting their journey with Scouting America. To help new members see what the first year really was like, we revisited a conversation with Scouts who had just completed their first year in Scouts BSA. Their insights remain just as relevant today: the excitement of campouts, the challenge of leadership, the friendships formed, and the confidence gained. Whether you’re a parent thinking about signing up your child or a youth curious about joining, their stories highlight what makes the first year of Scouting unforgettable.

Abby, 11, wasn’t new to Scouting when she joined. She had tagged along with her two brothers for years, but needed a little encouragement from her mom to officially start her Scouting journey. “I was a little lazy, but once I started, I was hooked!” she said.

What Abby loves most is connecting with her troop of 16 girls. The friendships and campouts keep her coming back. She also pushed herself to overcome her fear of leadership by attending ILST (Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops) and SEALS (Scouts Excited About Leadership Skills). Now she’s ready to lead and teach others.

Her goals for this year? Learn lashing and carry on the family tradition of being a skilled knot-tyer.

Biggest surprise: “How much work it takes to get ready for camping—and how much cleanup after!”

Favorite gear: A thin air mattress with side rails. “It keeps me from rolling onto someone else’s mat.”

Looking forward to: Meeting a new group of Scouts.

Advice for new Scouts: “Go to the first meeting and try it out. You might just get hooked!”

First merit badges: Swimming, Orienteering, Wood Carving, Indian Lore, Basketry, Communications. Favorite: Indian Lore.

What’s exciting now: Starting 6th grade with many of her Scouting friends.

Katelyn, 14, also grew up as a tagalong before officially joining Scouts BSA. Determined to be ready for the program’s opening to girls, she joined Venturing, attended NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) and SEALS, and showed up on day one with training under her belt.

Since then, she’s served as a Senior Patrol Leader, joined the Order of the Arrow, and even became the first girl inducted into her lodge. She now manages OA social media and plans to run for Chapter Chief.

• What she loves: “Meeting new people, making new friends, and having amazing adventures together.”

• Biggest surprise: How quickly Scouting became part of daily life.

• Advice for new Scouts: “It may feel overwhelming at first, but something scary might turn into your favorite thing.”

• First merit badges: First Aid, Indian Lore, Mammal Study, Woodcarving. Favorite: Mammal Study.

• What’s exciting now: Diving deeper into the OA and leading service projects.

• Favorite service project: Cleaning up the local Scout office parking lot to make it safer after years of break-ins.

Owen, 11, began Scouting in 1st grade as a Tiger in Cub Scouts. This past year, he moved up to Scouts BSA, where his self-confidence and independence grew rapidly. His mom recalls him coming home from camp and immediately taking charge of cooking breakfast for the family.

For Owen, the best part of Scouting is campouts—learning skills from older Scouts and enjoying time outdoors.

• Biggest surprise: “The variety of challenges. One day you’re memorizing knots, another day you’re hiking nine miles.”

• Looking forward to: Advancing in rank and starting to teach others.

• Advice for new Scouts: “If you want a challenge that’s hard but rewarding, join Scouting.”

• Accomplishments: Earned first rank in two months, attended ILST, and set a goal to achieve First Class.

• What’s exciting now: Starting 6th grade and his love of Social Studies.

From Abby, Katelyn, and Owen, it’s clear that Scouting America provides more than just outdoor adventures. In their very first year of Scouts BSA, they built confidence, discovered leadership skills, learned practical life lessons, and formed friendships that go far beyond campouts. Every Scout’s path looks different, but the values of perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth remain at the core of the program.

If you’re considering joining Scouting America, these stories show what the first year can offer—challenge, community, and unforgettable experiences. And if you’re already a Scout or a parent, think about how far your own journey has come since that first meeting.

We’d love to hear your story, too. Share your first-year experiences with us on social media using #ScoutingAmerica and inspire the next generation of Scouts to begin their adventure.