Since the fall of 2019, WES has sponsored Scouts BSA Troop 1123.  We are pleased to have this opportunity to share with you more about the troop, in the words of the scouts themselves.

Robin Pfeifer had a theory.  They had enjoyed Girl Scouts but wanted something more.  They discovered that the Boy Scouts required outdoor skills (knot-tying, building campfires, camping, etc.) for rank advancement.  So Robin figured that a Scouts BSA troop would have to emphasize activities like that.  Since helping found the troop in 2019, Robin has proven themselves correct!  For example, over the course of just a few short months this past fall, the troop went kayaking, biking, hiking, camping, and had a weekend of horseback riding.  Robin recalls that in the first months of the troop’s existence the focus was on becoming a unit.  The scouts had to learn how to organize themselves.  Robin was elected to be Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – the senior-most leadership role for a scout.  They found the role quite challenging but by the end of the first six months they realized that the experience had increased their confidence and taught them valuable leadership skills.  Recalling the troop’s first week-long summer camp experience back in 2019, Robin says that it provided the troop with a valuable bonding experience.  “It was a cool thing we did together that we could talk about afterwards.”  

Joy and Haya Bocoum loved helping found a new troop.  Joy recalls how challenging it was for the small founding group to do the work required to get the troop “up and running.”  But the payoff has been worth it for her and her sister.  They fondly recall “glamping” in a cabin with a hot tub!  When the pandemic hit, they took it in stride.  Even when meetings moved to Zoom, they found enjoyment planning camping trips and reserving part of every meeting for shared online games like Skribblio and Code Names.  Both sibs were pleased when it became possible to resume outdoor activities.  Joy loves camping and cooking over a campfire.  Haya had a lot of fun on the recent five-mile backpacking trip.  They both appreciate the friendships they have made through scouting.  In closing, they say, “The troop is great!”

Susanna Glenn was intrigued by the chance to have new experiences.  Especially memorable for her was last fall’s camping trip to a horse farm.  Over the course of three 2-hour rides she got to know the horses – out in the open.  Each horse had a different personality, she discovered.  Her second horse was “very mean,” refusing to turn when she wanted — at least until she learned how to be more… persuasive.  On Sunday morning she got to ride bareback.  Recalling the experience she said, “It was the getting going that was hard.  Once I had gotten started it was okay.”  Susanna is very excited about the troop’s plans for a week-long horse trek in New Mexico in 2022.  

Anya Cornelius-Dobak knew the outdoors but scouting has taken it to the next level.  Anya was part of the very first group to get the troop started.  Two years along she notes how far the troop has come and marvels at the lack of conflict.   “Everything flows at hikes and camp-outs and meetings.  People pay attention.  Unlike in school — when you hear about students tuning out, turning off their Zoom video feeds — our scouts actually engage in meetings.”  When asked why, she said, “We make our meetings really interesting.  We try to appeal to everyone.”

The scouts are aware that they are part of an effort to change the culture of Scouts BSA.  Anya appreciates the inclusivity of the troop; “we have many kinds of people … and we listen to everyone.”  Says Robin, “It would be nice if (Scouts BSA) could go beyond having to have the distinction of ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ troops… At the World Scout Jamboree, I saw scouting programs in other countries that were co-ed; I think that’s a good sign.  There’s already a model for it.”  Scoutmaster Sonja Kueppers acknowledges the Boy Scouts of America’s problematic history in terms of its historic exclusion of LGBTQ+ people, not to mention the ongoing complexity of its perspectives on religion.  But she also expresses her belief that the BSA has a great deal to offer young people.  Moreover, “since all BSA troops are chartered by community groups, those groups — like WES! — have a great deal of power in determining not only how their own troops are operated, but also in shaping the future of the organization as a whole.”

Character development.   Current SPL Anya credits the troop with teaching her new leadership skills.   Susanna says she has learned to become more resourceful.  Assistant Scoutmaster Heather Cornelius appreciates that scouting allows youth the space to make mistakes, and then to learn from those mistakes.  “Experience is the best teacher yet there are too few situations in our culture that offer that.”  Heather continues, “I appreciate and value the youth-led model that BSA offers and appreciate that the youth are learning a lot about the democratic process.”  Sonja has been inspired by the positive effect the troop has had on the scouts.  She notes that scouts in leadership roles have become much more capable leaders and goes on to note that “the youth have further developed their kindness and empathy in working together toward common goals… I am incredibly grateful that the Washington Ethical Society voted to sponsor Troop 1123.”  

Looking ahead.  Robin’s hopes for the troop range from practical matters (“we need a single place to store all troop gear”) to troop growth (bringing in more members, populating additional leadership positions) to new activities (climbing! caving! New Mexico!)  “More glamping!” says Haya.  Your reporter will weigh in here to share the good news that the society leadership granted permission for us to extend scouting to all genders by adding a “boys” troop.  I am in the process of pursuing a second charter and hope to have it approved by summer!

The last word goes to Haya:  “Join the troop.  It’s awesome.”

John Daken

Troop Committee Chair