South Jordan Scouts earn Denali Award
A quintet of South Jordan scouts recently earned the Denali Award, an honor Varsity Scouts can obtain by fulfilling leadership duties in their troops.
For Varsity Scout Coach Wayne Bushman, it's been a one-of-a-kind experience to watch five young men win the award.
"I personally have never worked with a young man [who] was willing to make the commitment and sacrifice to earn this award," said Bushman, a long-time scout leader.
This year, a handful of ambitious boys stepped up to the challenge.
"I believe that young men who truly commit themselves and earn this award are unique in a very good way," Bushman said.
The Denali Award is for boys involved in Varsity Scouting, an alternative to typical scouting that appeals to older youth by adding "high adventure" activities to the Boy Scouts of America program.
Varsity Scouting is "boy-run," Bushman said. While adult leaders provide ideas and stability, the boys are in charge.
"I think it teaches us a lot because instead of the leaders telling us what to do, they provide input," said Bingham High School sophomore Kyle Sipple. "We get to decide our own stuff ... We're really motivated. We basically motivate each other."
For Sipple, earning the award was "pretty difficult."
"At one point, I was in charge of 18 kids in my group," Sipple said. "It was kind of difficult taking care and responsibility for them."
Sipple planned "High Adventure" activities for he and his fellow scouts, including rock climbing, shotgun shooting and canoeing.
Sipple also helped build friendships between fellow scouts who didn't get along. Scouts must also advance one rank toward earning their Eagle to qualify for the Denali.
"I was really excited and proud that we had five kids in our troop that were able win this award since it's pretty prestigious," Sipple said.
"I was proud of the work I did," said Aaron Richardson, an Elk Ridge Middle School student who also won the award. "Sometimes you feel like you don't get recognized for all the stuff you do. Winning this award made me feel good about all the stuff I was doing."
In addition to Sipple and Richardson, the other Denali winners were Sean Stoker, Alex Wright and Caleb Smith.
"In every organization I've worked with," Bushman said, "I've had one or two boys that have shined. This time, I have 12 of the 15 that really stand out and are really ambitious."
