Few experiences are as rewarding as watching a shy eleven-year-old grow into a confident young leader. For Scouting America volunteers, it's one of the many reasons they continue to be a part of the impactful organization.
Scouting has a rich history in San Diego, with some of the first ever scout troops formed right here in the early 1900’s. In the 1920's, Camp Balboa opened and became a central gathering place for training, events, and community activities. Since then, many camps have followed, including Camp Bashor right here near Otay Lakes in Chula Vista.
Throughout its history, American Scouting has emphasized service, leadership, outdoor adventure, and citizenship. Their motto, “Be Prepared,” remains an essential part of its mission. Today, Scouting America offers children and teens a place to belong—a community where they can develop confidence, leadership, and responsibility while creating lifelong memories and going on unforgettable adventures.
We recently had the chance to sit down with Scouting leaders in the San Diego Council and Sweetwater region to talk about the impact of scouting in our community. Jaqueline Ficarra, District Executive for Scouting America in the San Diego Council, Brent Morgan, Sweetwater District Committee Chair, and Dan Bauer, Scoutmaster for Troop 1194 each shared the impact that Scouting has had on them, their children, and the San Diego community.
"My favorite part about volunteering with the organization,” says Brent, “is seeing the growth of the Scouts. I see them join us just after 5th grade, unsure of themselves and a bit nervous. By the time they’re in their teens, they’ve done their Eagle Scout projects, they’ve worked on their communication and public speaking, gone on multiple adventures, and are so much more confident in themselves and their abilities.”
Dan Bauer has the opportunity to work with some of the younger Scouts. For him, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is witnessing their joy and excitement about being together and having fun, not even realizing they're learning something valuable along the way. “To get that type of exposure to the values we teach in scouting—citizenship, respect, and our duty to God, all while having fun, it just keeps me jazzed.”
Fabiola is an example of an energetic Scout, already working on her Eagle Scout project at just 14-years-old. She shares, “My favorite thing about scouting is the community and connections, like when I attended the international camporee with Scouts Interamerica and went to Switzerland for summer camp. Without being a part of the troop, I wouldn’t have such great opportunities to meet new people, make lasting relationships, and travel the world.” Scouts also taught her about leadership.“To be a good leader you need to actively listen to others ideas, become flexible in your perspective, and to understand that everyone's role is important,” she says.
Kevin is a student at UCSD and an Eagle Scout whose journey with Scouts was deeply meaningful. Like many, he absolutely loved the adventure: “I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and the mountains. Scouts gave me the opportunity and the motivation to join some of the most beautiful hikes and backpacking trips in the southwest of the US.” Similar to Fabiola, he credits Scouts with learning to be a good leader. “I helped lead the summer camps in 2022 and 2023, which taught me how to work through the challenges that our troop faced.” His proudest moment in Scouts was achieving his Eagle Scout Rank just a few hours before his 18th birthday. “I barely made it, but I’m just so happy that I accomplished my goal of being an Eagle Scout one day!”
Scouting America has been through many iterations since its founding, but one thing is clear: the positive impact on young leaders is undeniable. Today’s scouting programs are inclusive and inviting, open to everyone and families. With so many people involved in meaningful programming, the impact extends far beyond the individual Scout, rippling outward to families, schools, and the communities where they volunteer, lead, and serve. Strong communities are built by people who understand the value of service, leadership, and responsibility—things that nobody fosters better than the Scouts!