The Boy Scouts of America will celebrate their centennial year in 2010, a century of preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lifetimes.

I became involved with the Scouting program in 1990 when my son turned 8 and “;we”; joined a unit in Hauula. Since that time I have had the honor and privilege of working with many of the finest young men in Hawaii.

During the past 20 years, I have been involved in countless den meetings, pack meetings, committee meetings, day camps, hikes, service projects, boards of review, courts of honor and merit badge classes. Every adventure filled my photo albums with pictures and my mind with unforgettable memories as I witnessed each young man succeed in accomplishing goals and gaining new skills. Each milestone crossed was a boost in self-confidence as they marched toward the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hauula 1st, 3rd and 4th wards, have 129 Eagle Scouts who represent their community well. Many of them have gone on to serve full-time religious missions in countries throughout the world.

One of my favorite memories includes a time when my son and his friends were working on their hiking merit badge. We did the five 10-mile hikes with ease and began preparing for the 20-miler, the final task for this important merit badge. We chose the route, from the top of Pupukea near the BSA camp site, down the big hill, along Kamehameha Highway through Sunset Beach, past Turtle Bay and on to Hauula, our Windward Oahu home.

The Scouts came prepared that early morning with water, snacks, first-aid kits and, of course, their good attitudes and playful, boyish natures. The trek got off to a great start, with energetic Scouts hiking down the mountain, seeing the sites and hearing the sounds of nature. These boys couldn't resist touching everything, so it was easy for them to find joy in this journey.

Once along the highway the boys had fewer distractions. But they soon found small rocks that could be picked up and tossed at each other. Several made their way close to Kamehameha Highway. After quite a few gentle reminders, one of the leaders issued a warning about it for safety's sake and issued a decree: “;If you throw another rock, I'm going to give you a big rock to carry.”;

The counsel was given, but a couple of the boys decided to test it. Sure enough, a large, heavy rock was found for each of them, and they were required to carry them until the Scout leader told them they could put them down. This made the journey a bit more difficult. The rock became a great burden and made hiking a much bigger challenge. After quite a distance the boys were allowed to put the rock downs along with the counsel, “;Don't pick up or throw any more rocks.”;

That day a lesson was instilled in the hearts and minds of the boys on the hike. They learned that it was easier to listen and do what they were told by their leaders the first time. They learned about choices and consequences of their actions. They also learned how difficult it was to carry additional and unnecessary burdens that slowed them down.

That day prepared them for the next adventure of a 50-mile hike where they walked and ran from Kunia to Hauula—with nobody required to carry an unnecessary rock.

The lessons learned on these adventures will never been forgotten. Lessons of listening, preparing and faithfully enduring to the end were ingrained in the minds and hearts of all the participants, as was the lesson that carrying around unnecessary rocks of guilt only slowed them down.

I'm grateful to the Scout leaders who have taught my son and the others the true meaning of being “;trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”;

Laurie Waite-Flores is a teacher and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Scout committee advancement chairwoman in the Hauula 3rd Ward Scouting program.