Of all the memorable experiences I had in the Boy Scouts of America, there is one that I still think about on a regular basis.
I was 13 years old and was serving as the senior patrol leader and boy leader of the entire troop. Our troop was at our annual weeklong summer camp, and it was near dinner time, when all of the troops would line up on the parade grounds for the evening colors ceremony.
While most members of my troop were at our campsite waiting for me to lead them in the march to the parade ground and have dinner, I was enjoying myself in a pickup game of three-on-three basketball with some boys from other troops. As I was missing in action, and since growing boys at summer camp eat like they are half-starved, my assistant senior patrol leader filled in for me and led the troop to the parade grounds.
Now, the basketball court was right next to the parade grounds, so my…
