In the fast-paced world we now live in, where even a man free-falling from the stratosphere is possible, it’s good to embrace some values that may seem old-fashioned.

Some of the best days and nights of my life come from weekends camping, days hiking through trails, and nights building fires  — just for the sole purpose of sitting around it and talking with friends.

These experiences were started by my involvement in the Boy Scouts of America, an organization some may see as out-dated.

Beginning when I was six years old, I have been involved in the organization for most of my life, and in many ways it impacts my day-to-day life heavily.

If not for the Boy Scouts, I never would have had some of the most important ideals implanted into me, such as being prepared.

I am rarely without a pen or pencil for class, a notebook, or whatever I will need for the day, because of the value of being prepared.

As the Boy Scout motto, it was recited over and over again and echoed in my head until it became part of my life.

Other aspects have been important too, such as doing a good turn daily  — even if it’s as simple as holding the door open for somebody.

Working my way through the scouting program has also opened my eyes toward things I never would have guessed I would enjoy.

Things like theater and public speaking, and I never would have found those skills if not for the scouting program.

At the age of 15, I started working at a Boy Scout camp in Wisconsin, where the ideals of scouting were instilled all day every day for five summers.

I built on the lessons taught in the scouting program during those five summers, such as to be early is to be on time and to be on time is to be late.

This is a lesson I will take with me into later life — especially when trying to find a job.

While at this Boy Scout camp, I also made some of the best friends I’ll ever have.

We would spend our days teaching younger children the ideals instilled into us, and the nights and weekends sitting around fires, gazing at stars and hiking through winding trails.

We did all of this without a computer or cell phone, and it was some of the best times of my life.

Technological advancements seem to dominate society these days, and sometimes it’s nice to take a break from Facebook, Twitter and video games to enjoy some of the simpler things — even if it is just staring at stars for an hour.

Bob Galuski is a junior English major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].