Ahead of her son Gabriel’s Eagle Scout board of review, Jennifer Aguiar sat sewing the last of his 63 merit badges onto his sash—so many that they now spill down the back. For Jennifer, the moment marked more than a proud milestone as a mother; it was the continuation of an unexpected journey of leadership, giving, and service through Scouting.
Jennifer’s path began in 2003 when her young son came home excitedly waving a Cub Scout flyer. After one lively meeting filled with talk of camping and fishing, Jennifer and her husband agreed to give it a try. Three weeks later, the den leader quit, and the Cubmaster asked if Jennifer would consider stepping in. “He slid a handbook across the table and said, ‘Think about it,’” she laughs. “I’ve been a leader ever since.”
Over the years, her involvement deepened into a mission. Jennifer joined a committee to help launch a troop for Scouts with special needs in Davie County. Drawing on her background in psychology and social work—and her own experience as a mother of two special-needs children—she built an environment of patience, compassion, and understanding. “Put me in a room full of kids and I’ll either have them laughing or crying,” she says with a smile. “The training I’ve received inside and outside of Scouting has helped me.” Her commitment earned her the Torch of Gold award, presented to just one recipient per council each year for extraordinary service to special needs Scouts.
In 2019, when girls were officially welcomed into Scouting America, Jennifer helped lead Davie County’s first and only female troop. “All my boys’ sisters were already showing up and participating,” she recalls. “They wanted their own troop—so I became their Scoutmaster too.”
Jennifer’s legacy has become a family affair. Her son Gabriel—whose Eagle project raised funds for a low-cost pet care nonprofit—is now an assistant Scoutmaster for the girls’ troop. Her grandsons, both Cub Scouts, are giving her the joy of starting over again as a Den Leader. Even her daughter, an Army veteran and future business owner, credits her mom for showing what strong, independent leadership looks like. “I’m not your typical woman,” Jennifer says. “But that’s what I want my girls to see—that they can do anything.”
Asked what keeps her going after all these years, Jennifer’s answer is simple. “The joy of watching these kids succeed—that’s what keeps me showing up.” Her wish for every Scout she’s led is equally clear: that they grow into kind, capable, and confident adults who know the value of service.
“I just hope that somewhere along the line,” she says, “I’ve made a difference in somebody’s life.”
When Jennifer isn’t leading her Scouts, she’s helping clients create beautiful outdoor living spaces as the owner of Sunspace of the Triad, specializing in custom three-season rooms, sunrooms, and more across Guilford and surrounding counties. Visit www.sunspaceofthetriad.com/ to learn more.
"I just hope that somewhere along the line, I’ve made a difference in somebody’s life."