From towns across Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, over 1200 Boy Scouts and their leaders traveled to BYU–Idaho to take part in the annual Merit Badge Pow-Wow on Saturday Nov. 7.

The Boy Scout Merit Badge Pow-Wow has taken place at BYU–Idaho for 30 years. It provides students many opportunities to serve.

For some that participated in this year’s Pow-Wow, it was a chance to give back to the program they were once a part of. 

“I was a Scout once and with the amount of time and sacrifice that leaders and teachers put in when I was a Scout, I figured I would give back of by giving a few hours of my Saturday,” said senior Zach Turner.

Over 130 students volunteered to be merit badge counselors and spent their Saturday teaching the Boy Scouts. Many of the students saw this as an opportunity to serve as well as be a good example for the Scouts.

“These kids are really impressive.  If I want someone someday to be a good teacher or role model for my children, then I ought to be one myself,” said junior Scott Sorenson.

After three months of planning, Priscilla Hendricks, department secretary of continuing education, and Tom Anderson, activity coordinator, were both grateful for the         student support. 

“We really appreciate them,” said Hendricks. “They are giving up a whole Saturday.  Some at a moments notice were willing to come and help and many student instructors put in a lot of time preparing before            the events.”

“Without the help of the students that volunteered it would be very hard to run an event of this size,”  said Anderson.

For a few, attendance this event has become a family tradition. One father who attended the pow-wow felt that it was a valuable experience for his own sons.

“I came to this Pow-Wow as a boy for three years 25 or 26 years ago,” said Boyd Southwick of Sugar City. “I have two sons here at this event now.  I loved it back then and my sons love it now.”

At the Pow-Wow, Scouts were given the opportunity to work on one or two merit badges of their choice from 35 different merit badges, including 10 of the 12 badges required for the Eagle Scout Award.

Even more than earning merit badges, activity leaders hoped that they made a lasting impression on   the Scouts.

“This isn’t just about merit badges. We aim to help them become leaders in the community. We have the opportunity to help these boys’ prepare for life,” Anderson said.

In hosting this event on the BYU–Idaho campus, it is the hope of some that the Scouts had a memorable experience. “When they come here to BYU–Idaho we hope that they can feel something special, members and non-members alike,” Anderson said.

“We hope that they will have a BYU–Idaho experience.”

Ben Wiscombe

scroll staff