Andy Price
Submitted photo/Scouting Arizona, Grand Canyon Council
By Andy Price | Scottsdale
OPINION — Arizonans know adventure when we see it. Whether Scouts are hiking amid the red rocks of Sedona or roasting marshmallows under a sky full of stars, they’re doing something even bigger than earning badges, they’re building the kind of confidence and creativity today’s kids need in a world full of new technology, including artificial intelligence.
The best part? They don’t even realize that they’re learning some of the most important life skill; they’re just having fun.
Take the Pinewood Derby for example. Kids start with a block of wood and four wheels and end up creating some of the most imaginative cars you’ve ever seen. They’re drawing designs, experimenting with tools, solving problems and trying new solutions when something doesn’t work the first time. AI can give you a list of “top speed tips,” but it can’t compete with the thrill of sanding a car by hand or watching it race down the track.
Campouts take this kind of hands-on learning even further. Planning a weekend in the Arizona wilderness isn’t something you can just Google and walk away from. Scouts have to figure out what gear they need, how to pack it and what to do when the weather changes, or when the chili they make tastes a little too smoky.
They learn how to handle surprises like a change in the weather or gear malfunctions and how to help a friend in need and solve problems in real time. That kind of confidence doesn’t come from a screen; it comes from real life action.
If you’ve ever attended a Scout-led troop meeting or watched a Scout teaching a younger peer how to tie a knot, you will witness how they build communication and leadership skills that are invaluable, no matter what the digital future holds. AI may be smart, but it’s never going to organize a patrol, support a nervous new Scout or encourage a group to finish a tough hike. Those are human skills that are fun, messy, challenging and indispensable.
What really makes Scouting special, though, is how the organization helps kids understand themselves and others. Whether on the trail or around the campfire, Scouts talk about respect, fairness, kindness and how to handle tough feelings. They learn that being a leader isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being aware, thoughtful and resilient. These are the life skills that carry kids through school, friendships and eventually careers we can’t even imagine yet.
None of this requires cutting-edge technology or expensive equipment, it just takes time outdoors, attentive adults and a group of open-minded, adventurous Scouts. In this new world where AI is everywhere, the tried-and-true traditions of Scouting give kids a place to stay grounded, stay curious and be confident in themselves.
As AI continues reshaping our world, the kids who thrive won’t be the ones who memorize every new prompt, they’ll be the ones who know how to solve problems, work as a team, think creatively and remain resilient when times get tough.
In Arizona, we see these skills growing every time a Scout picks up a hammer, leads a campfire song or faces a new challenge with a smile. Scouting helps kids stay human, and that’s the one thing AI can never replace.
Andy Price is Scout executive of Scottsdale-based Scouting Arizona, Grand Canyon Council, which serves thousands of youths in the state. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.