For many young people, Scouting is just a season, lasting only as long as campouts and rank requirements can keep them interested. However, for others, Scouting becomes something far more profound: a source of purpose, belonging, and leadership that shapes them long after the novelty of the uniform fades. In emphasizing why some Scouts opt to stay, we look to the story of Donathan, whose journey through Scouting and the Order of the Arrow demonstrates the pull of service and community at the heart of the OA. His journey serves as a reminder that Scouting is a commitment that has the power to change a person's life rather than just a hobby.
From the very first time my older brother joined Scouting as a Webelos Scout, I felt like I was stepping into a family that was way bigger than the one I was born into. Even before I was old enough to wear the uniform, I tagged along to meetings and campouts, watching the older boys laugh, compete, and support each other. What really drew me in wasn’t just the activities, it was the feeling of belonging. So, when I finally became old enough to join, I didn’t hesitate. I wanted to be part of that circle.
As I moved through the program, from Cub Scout to Scout and eventually Star Scout, friendship stayed at the heart of my experience. But as the years had passed, many of the friends I’d grown up with drifted away from Scouting. One by one, my den-mates moved on to other priorities, until only one remained beside me. At fourteen, that loss really hit me hard. I still dreamed of earning Eagle, but the fun, the laughter, the shared energy of Scouting felt quieter without the ones who had shaped my early years.
Everything changed during my troop’s OA unit election. I was selected and later called out to join the Order of the Arrow. My induction wasn’t just a ceremony; it was a reunion. I started seeing familiar faces from years past, even classmates I never knew were involved in Scouting. At every OA event, I seemed to meet someone new. The circle of friends I thought I had lost suddenly began expanding again, and with it, my enthusiasm for Scouting returned.
As I became more involved, first as my Lodge Unit Elections chair, then inspired by the friends who encouraged me to do more, I ran for Lodge Chief. That decision opened doors which I didn’t even know existed. I met Scouts from across my section, each from different lodges, each with their own traditions and stories. Those friendships deepened my love for the OA, pushing me to explore opportunities at the regional and national levels. No matter where I went, whether at trainings, conclaves, camporees, or the National OA Conference, I found new brothers and new reasons to stay.
The OA didn’t just open doors for me; it introduced me to amazing people! It connected me with mentors who pushed me to grow, peers who inspired me, and friends who were always there for me every step of the way. From my first day as a Tiger Cub back in 2008 to being an Assistant Scoutmaster and Chapter Adviser now, I’ve stayed in Scouting because of the relationships that shaped me and the brotherhood that grew stronger through the Order of the Arrow. It’s those friendships, old, new, and always evolving, that have kept me in Scouting.
