Federal Way Scouts keep longtime traditions alive

Generations of Federal Way community members have promised to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. If that collection of traits sounds familiar, it’s the Scout Law of Scouts of America.

Federal Way’s Scouts are still following that law and promising to do their best, do their duty and to help other people at all times. But enrollment has dipped, leaving the organization with an uncertain future in the city.

The legacy of the Scouts of America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) began 56 years before Federal Way became a city, when in 1934, “William Kilworth purchased 25 acres in the South Sound and immediately deeded the property to the Tacoma Area Council of Boy Scouts,” according to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

Since then, members have completed over 100 community service projects in the city in pursuit of achieving that highest level of Eagle Scout, and have volunteered in countless other service endeavors.

Today, Scouts in Federal Way are still going on monthly outdoor adventures, learning to tie knots and work through challenges together.

A trip to the Bahamas and a kayak trip to the San Juans are some of the more striking examples.

Mike Haedt is a more recent Scoutmaster and has taken on the role in Federal Way, leading the next generation to follow these oaths and have fun — and give back to the community while they are doing it.

Despite having at least 25 Scouts in the troop currently, he worries about the future of the troop, he told the Mirror, because many of these Scouts are working on completing their Eagle Scout projects and heading off to college soon. Cub Scouts usually bring a steady stream of new recruits, but those enrollment numbers are down too.

Aside from being sad to see this in relation to an organization that had a strong impact on his life, Haedt described the positive ripple effect that the next generation would miss out on if it disappears.

Haedt’s son is in his troop and he said that “there’s no way my kid could have these opportunities without scouting.”

If all kids got the opportunity to be part of this program or others like it, he said, “this would just be such a different world.”

Scouts learn how to socialize and “be respectful and not fight” along with “conflict resolution.” Watching them grow in this way is fun to watch, Haedt said, because “all these kids have completely different backgrounds, completely different income levels, completely different demographics, and just all get along as well.”

These skills are built deeply into the program because Scouts are taught how to collaborate, problem solve, and respect themselves, each other and the natural environment while caring about others, Haedt said.

“They’re off social media, you know, where things get so toxic, and they actually have to deal with issues together and overcome things and they share in a lot of fun together,” Haedt explained.

While registration and troop fees are about $100 a year, no Scout is ever denied participation, and those fees can be covered if there is a need, at least in Troop 361. “Our policy is nobody loses out because of finances,” Haedt said.

He and several other adults who lead the troop have raised a sizable amount of funds through programs where their workplaces pay them to volunteer and the troops themselves hold a variety of fundraisers.

This money funds their activities, but is also an opportunity for those who think they may not have the finances to join.

To find a local troop, contact https://beascout.scouting.org.