Four scouts from Becker Boy Scouts Troop 92 went on a three-day trip to Washington D.C. and a 10-day campout in West Virginia to participate in the National Scout Jamboree this past summer.
Eagle Scout Christopher Kardell, Eagle Scout Corbin Lozinski, Life Scout Bryce Lozinski and Star Scout Hunter Whaley represented their troop, their chartered organization (American Legion Post 193), their community and their families during the event, which is a time-honored scouting tradition.
During their time in Washington D.C., the scouts stood at ‘Scout Attention’ during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which honors those that have served the United States by giving their all to ensure freedom for all its citizens.
The scouts participated in the sacred ceremony further when they were invited to actually lay the wreath at the tomb, an honor they found humbling.
“I didn’t realize it was such a big deal to be a part of it while I was standing at attention until I came home and talked with my mom and dad about the importance of the event,” said Scout Bryce Lozinski. “Not everyone gets to do that and I didn’t know that what we were doing was special.”
Over 40,000 scouts from across the nation gathered at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia for this year’s National Scout Jamboree, which was themed “Live Scouting’s Adventure.”
While there, the scouts participated in activities that promoted leadership, citizenship and a closer connection to nature. They enjoyed aerial sports including zip-lining, wall climbing and high ropes courses, aquatics sports including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming.
Along with meeting other scouts from around the country and Canada, they also traded patches, watched stage shows and listened to a speech from President Donald Trump, who stopped by the celebration.
Lozinski enjoyed participating in the patch trading because it gave him the opportunity to meet Scouts from all over the United States.
“Messengers of Peace” day, in which the Scouts and adult leaders give back to the community in a day of service, was an important part of the Jamboree; giving back has long been a core value of the scouting movement. Over 40,000 participants each gave one day of their adventure to community service projects which, when tallied, totaled over 100,000 hours in just eight days.
The Lozinski brothers have both been involved with the Scouts since they joined Cub Scouts in first grade. It’s a great fit for Bryce, who said he enjoys Scouts because he likes volunteering and camping, learning outdoor skills and running around in the woods with his friends.
“I’m in Boy Scouts because I feel that it’s an organization that teaches me skills that I will use for the rest of my life,” said Corbin Lozinski. “There are so many fun and cool opportunities that it gives you. Things that a kid would never get to try or do like laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. If I wasn’t in scouts I would have never been a part of that.”
“It also benefits communities through all of the service hours that scouts do,” he added. “Like the hundreds of hours during the National Jamboree. Those hours really change a town and make a difference. That makes me feel like I’m part of something awesome.”
