Scouting

Lessons from the trail.

Scouting has been part of my life since I was a Cub Scout, and it's still where I give the most back. A lot of how I live and work traces straight to it: the Oath and Law, time outdoors, the habit of finishing what you start. This is the short version, from earning Eagle to running a troop now.

Where it started

From Cub Scout to Eagle

It started in Cub Scout Pack 122 in Canton, Ohio, and kept going through Boy Scouts: monthly campouts, summer camp at Seven Ranges, long trips out to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. I made Eagle in 1997. My project was refurbishing my high school's track: re-measuring the lanes to metric, repainting the markings and getting the equipment ready for meets again. It was the first real project I ever had to scope and run myself.

Tim Maloney as a newly-minted Eagle Scout in uniform with merit badge sash, 1997
Eagle Scout · 1997

Coming back to serve

Leading as an adult

I came back to it as an adult. With Pack 457 I went from Treasurer to Assistant Cubmaster to Cubmaster, from 2019 to 2022, and added things along the way like Space Night, First Responder Day, and museum lock-ins. Then I crossed into Scouts BSA myself. Today I'm Scoutmaster of Troop 457, I sit on the district committee, and I counsel merit badges.

Today

Current service

  • Scoutmaster · Troop 457

    I lead Troop 457 in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, working with the Scouts and the other leaders as they make their way toward Eagle.

  • District Committee

    I'm on the Washington's Trail District committee for the Moraine Trails Council, helping keep Scouting going across the area.

  • Merit Badge Counselor

    I'm a registered counselor for 16 merit badges, from camping to programming. See the full list ↓

Tim Maloney in his Troop 457 Scoutmaster uniform, standing with a Scout on a sunny day
Scoutmaster · Troop 457

Merit badges

Badges I counsel

These are the badges I'm signed off to counsel. Tap any one to see its requirements on Scouting.org.

Are you a Scout who'd like to earn one of these with me?

Recognition

Awards & accolades

A few of the square knots I wear, picked up across my youth and adult years in Scouting:

  • Eagle Scout square knot Eagle Scout
  • Arrow of Light square knot Arrow of Light
  • Youth Religious Award square knot Youth Religious Award
  • District Award of Merit square knot District Award of Merit
  • Unit Leader Award of Merit square knot Unit Leader Award of Merit
  • Scouter's Training Award square knot Scouter's Training Award
  • Scouter's Key Award square knot Scouter's Key Award
  • Special Needs Scouting Service Award square knot Special Needs Scouting Service Award
Wood Badge

Wood Badge

I've also finished Wood Badge, Scouting America's big adult leadership course.

From the Trail Map

Related reading

All Scouting insights

Get involved

Thinking about Scouting for your family, or trying to find a unit nearby? Start here:

Scouting.org BeAScout.org

Request to work on a badge

Pick the badge (or badges) you'd like to earn with me and add your details — I'll be in touch to set up a first meeting.

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