My step-son is 7 (and a half) and he is one of those kids that does everything. Soccer, golf, keyboards, swimming, basketball, baseball - you get the idea. Recently, he started with Cub Scouts and it is a new experience for me. True, I was a "brownie" once - and I truly do mean "once" - I'm not sure if I went to more than one or two meetings. However, Braeden's mom (who is awesome) was a Girl Scout and troop leader, his uncle and grandpa were both Eagle Scouts and his dad was a boy scout for several years.

So far, he likes it a lot. I am learning along with him and he has just achieved his Bobcat. While working to get this distinction, he had to read a manual and memorize many things, including the Boy Scout motto, "Do your best."

As I was walking around cleaning up the house, my husband was working to help Braeden memorize all his facts and I heard the sweet, 7-year-old voice in the next room repeating, "Whatever you do, do your best." It really got me to thinking about all the people I know who went through scouts (boy and girl) and what great people they turn out to be. True, there are other factors involved, but if you ask me...I think anything that can teach the importance of doing your best in any situation (from a young age) you are bound to start down a good trail. Cub Scouts teach respect of your elders, a tenacity to learn, and above all, to always try and do the right thing. I like that.

Any scouts out there? Or people proud of their little brownies or bobcats at home?