As they focus on education, college-bound Arrowmen sometimes find it hard to stay active within their local units and lodge. Despite this, dedicated Scouts attending college away from home find many ways to stay active within their local units and lodge.
No matter where life takes you, never forget your Scouting background. Many college-bound Arrowmen connect with the local lodge and council near their respective schools. They are always looking for help and new, enthusiastic people to get involved in Scouting, especially those with new ideas and a fresh approach. Most Arrowmen in college are still "youth," and can work directly with and set a powerful and positive example for young Arrowmen in their local lodge. At the same time, there are opportunities to learn and bring back ideas and suggestions to their home lodge as well as the opportunity for new friendships and exciting fellowship.
While attending NOAC in 2012, Steve Decker from Te'Kening Lodge, Garden State Council attended a training session that suggested the concept of establishing an alumni committee. "This would allow older Arrowmen to stay in touch with lodge proceedings and younger Arrowmen to have a place to reach out to ‘veterans' for guidance, or just for kicks," Decker said.
Many colleges offer fraternities that are focused on service learning and leadership. Alpha Phi Omega, commonly known as APO, is the largest collegiate fraternity in the US, with chapters at over 350 campuses. The purpose of the fraternity is "to assemble college students in a National Service Fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Scout Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop Leadership, to promote Friendship, and to provide Service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is our national, educational, and intellectual heritage." Unlike many other fraternities, APO's primary focus is to provide volunteer service within four areas: service to the community, service to the campus, service to the fraternity, and service to the nation as participating citizens. While being involved with APO isn't a direct link to your local lodge, it still would be a great way to continue living the ideals of Scouting by giving back to the community.
Council social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, lodge websites, etc., are great ways to keep Arrowmen informed. Many lodges create Facebook events, so there is a digital reminder in a common place for many young adults. Having a good lodge website is key to great involvement. Members can have a one-stop shop for any important information and updates. Lastly, nothing beats picking up the phone and calling someone to ask what is going on. Don't sit back and wait for information to come to you, seek it out.
From alumni outreaches to college fraternities to social media, there are plenty of great ways to stay in contact while away at school. Only you can decide your level of involvement, but remember that your education is most important during your higher education years.