I wanted to reach out to tell you how important Boy Scouts is to me and my community.

I have learned many important skills while being a Boy Scout including CPR, cooking and public speaking. Boy Scouts teaches outdoor skills such as building a fire, making shelters and finding fresh water.

Boy Scouts do Eagle Scout projects to help the community. Our troop has built a pavilion at a local church, put flower beds in at the nursing home and made bird feeders for Glade Run.

Our troop also cleans up trash on the roadways and at the Butler fairgrounds. We also have a pancake breakfast to make money to buy Christmas gifts for families who are struggling.

Scouting teaches young people that we each are responsible for helping our communities.

Fewer young people are joining Boy Scouts than in years past. I wish that parents would encourage their young people to give scouting a try so they can learn important skills and volunteer in their community.

I have a lot of fun being a Boy Scout and have made good friends in scouting.

Luke Lenz, Valencia