The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Chandler K. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Tactics - Final Report
To be honest, when I first embarked on the long journey that was to be my AM league experience, I thought it was going to be dully repetitious of the path that led be to eagle scout. I had a very “been there done that” attitude towards the entire concept of the program. I had spent seven years in the ranks of Boy Scouts of America troop 21 of Zeeland, MI and was not expecting to glean much from this new program. However, as the months progressed and I began to delve into AM league, my demeanor changed as I realized that the focus of AM league (much like earning Eagle Scout) was not merely to check off assignments. The focus of this program was to force teenagers like myself to engage the community, enforce their beliefs, and embrace God’s calling. I found that as I worked my way through the program, slowly but surely, I was making contacts and building relationships that I would find invaluable in the future. Simultaneously, I was learning how to relate to and converse with successful business men and politicians. When I was not occupied with requirements outside the home, I was studying and writing reports about books such as Norman Geisler’s Why am I a Christian? As I reflect on all that I’ve done through AM league I know that I will not take one experience for granted. In this final report I would like to recount some of my favorite parts and memories of AM league and share why I would definitely encourage any one considering it to join the great adventure that is Ambassador League.
The aspect of AM league that I appreciated most was the diversity of the requirements. As I mentioned before, one day I might job be shadowing the Mayor of Holland, MI and the next day I might be researching the nature of man. During the school year I was very busy with sports, college classes, and music. Because I was so busy I did not have a lot of time to devote to AM league. But when I had spare time it was easy to work on low commitment requirements such as research papers, letters to the editor, and book reports. Although I was slightly dismayed by the amount of writing I had to do, I am glad I did it because it helped me in learning to write quickly and efficiently. When summer came around I began to work on the more involved requirements such as volunteering and interviewing. It was not always easy to find the right people and places, but it was very fulfilling every time I got a confirmation email about a meeting or interview. I am sure that the diversity of AM league has prepared me well for my college experience.
As a home schooled student, it was very neat to have a mentor other than one of my parents. For my mentor I chose a Dr. Rick Geisel JD, a good friend from our church. Dr. Geisel teaches at Grand Valley State University, and it was very nice to have someone with a lot of experience critiquing my papers and helping through the program. As we met I was able to learn from his experiences, and ask questions about dilemmas I was facing with school, work etc. A greatly appreciate his sacrifice of time and am sure that we will remain in contact throughout my time at college.
As an Eagle scout, I am very used to serving my community. As I served this past summer at Paradise Bound Thrift Store, it was less about all the work I was doing, as it was about the people I was serving with. Although I probably completed more work in my few days of service than most people there do in two weeks, I was able to build some great friendships and lasting memories. I looked forward to spending time with the people there as we talked about our lives, our struggles, and our ambitions. Many of the volunteers there were older and it was interesting to listen to them tell about their successes and failures. I have found that you can learn something from everyone regardless of your first impression. When I was done it was almost sad as I left the thrift store for the last time. I know that my time serving with AM League and the Boy Scouts has impacted me so much that I will continue to serve my community as long as I am able.
One part of Ambassador League that especially I enjoyed was the interviews. Talking with men who were successful in their fields about their life experiences was incredibly interesting and I learned much from what they had to share. However, when I was finished asking them questions, they always had one for me: "So what is this for?"
When I explained to them what Am league was they were all impressed by and interested in the notion of teens getting involved in the community and pursuing something they are passionate about. While the men I interviewed came from very different backgrounds and ended up in different areas, they all had one piece of advice that was the same; prepare. They all stressed the importance of setting yourself up to go as far as you can go, to reach your full potential. As Mayor Al Mcgeehan so adequately stated, "plan your work and work your plan". When I study the effects of this maxim in the lives of the men I interviewed, it holds invariably true. Aside from learning, I also established good connections that I am sure I will find valuable in the future. I am very glad that Am league provided me with the opportunity to meet the people I did.
These are just a few of the experiences from AM League that have undoubtedly left me a changed person. All in all I have been affected in countless ways by AM league, and I would not hesitate to say that it built me into a more organized, conservative minded, well prepared person. It has forced me to interact with adults in various types of situations, and helped to define my vocational ambitions. It has built my faith and my spiritual knowledge. AM League has built my character and prepared me for college.
I am thankful for the people who make AM League possible, and I am extremely glad I was able to participate in this great program.
