There’s a rare group of kids ages 11 to 17 who voluntarily — even eagerly — give up their phones and screen time every week: the members of the Sunset’s three Boy Scout troops.

Yes, Boy Scouts still exist in San Francisco. Troop 15 has been around since 1938 and it continues to thrive.

About the phones?

“A phone is no replacement for a paper map and compass,” says Scoutmaster Gus Silva, who has led Troop 15 for five years. “In the wilderness, you can run out of battery.”

That matters because the 25 boys of Troop 15 spend a lot of time in the wilderness. They often participate in one or two camping trips a month, which can include 10 mile hikes. Last summer, they completed a six-day backpacking trip at Desolation Wilderness in the Sierras.

When not camping, hiking, or meeting at St. Anne of Sunset Catholic Church, the boys of Troop 15 are not phone-deprived.

“Everyone has a phone,” says Troop 15 Scoutmaster Silva, “But for a few hours during our meetings, they can do without it.”

The two other Scout troops in the Sunset are Troop 1 for boys and Troop 2001 for girls, both sponsored by the Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary PTA. Troop 1 was featured in a documentary about Asian Americans in scouting.

“In San Francisco, we’re city slickers,” says Troop 1 Scoutmaster Gary Louie. “But when we’re out camping, Scouts sleep under the stars, eat outdoors, and see wildlife. That’s why our motto is Be Prepared. There are no umbrellas on a hike.”

Beyond hikes
Outdoor activities are just one aspect of Scouting, which aims to develop the mental, physical, and leadership potential of its boys and girls.

Scouts take part in regular community service. Troop 15 serves meals at St. Anthony’s DIning Hall, helps with habitat restoration in the Presidio, and assists at events at the Janet Pomeroy Center. Troops 1 and 2001 have similar activities including beach clean-up, collecting food for food banks, and serving at events such as Memorial Day ceremonies.

Scouting is open to all kids between the ages of 11 and 17, generally with boys and girls in different troops. Troop 2001 formed the day Boy Scouts of America opened the program to girls in February 2019. Troop 1 and Troop 2001 have parallel programming. Both boys and the girls learn cooking and knots, for example.

Scouting ethos
Scouting embraces a ‘’learn by doing’’ ethos. Scouts advance through six ranks by earning merit badges, choosing from more than 135 options ranging from the traditional, such as backpacking, citizenship, and first aid to newer topics like environmental science and computer programming.

They work with the guidance of a merit badge counselor — generally a parent — to fulfill badge requirements. Scouts must earn at least 21 specifically rigorous merit badges to become an Eagle, the epitome of Scouting.

As Scouts move up through the ranks, their achievements are recognized at a Court of Honor. 

“It’s not an easy path,” says Troop 15’s Silva. “But Scouting offers a safe environment to try, maybe fail, then get back up again and succeed.”

The Sunset’s newest Eagle Scout
Tyler Sullivan, a poised and confident Lowell High School senior, is fulfilling his final requirements and will become an Eagle this spring. The Lakeshore resident is enthusiastic about Scouting. 

“Troop 15 is like a family,” Tyler says. “I have learned a lot and taught a lot. When we work on a badge, we present what we learn to the troop, so I have to prepare lesson plans.”

That’s significant because getting comfortable with public speaking was one of Tyler’s big challenges.

“When I was younger, I was heavy and was picked on,” he says. “With Scouting, I am developing confidence, social skills. It has really shaped me.”

One of the requirements of the Citizenship in Community merit badge is to contact a government official about an issue important to the community.

Tyler was concerned about graffiti in the Sunset and emailed District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio to ask what young people can do to address the problem.

Parents are the backbone of Scouting
Parents like Kristin Gonsar are the backbone of Scouting activities. Her son, Ian, is an eighth grader in his third year with Troop 15. She’s helped with meetings and events and driven Scouts countless miles to participate in their backpacking and hiking adventures. 

“Scouting has introduced Ian to so much,” she says. “He’s learned that he can be challenged to try new things, to work with and learn from others, to overcome obstacles and succeed, and feel good about what he has achieved.”

Reported and written by volunteer community journalist Jan Cook. We encourage residents with journalism experience, retired journalists, and student journalists in high school and college to volunteer as writers for Supervisor Engardio’s newsletter. Interested? Apply here. Do you know a story you would like to see featured in the newsletter? Tell us about it here.