Haskins’ life changed by time with Iola troop
The Boy Scouts of America have more than 2.7 million youth members across the country, according to its 2012 Report to the Nation. The organization, founded in 1910, is known for its signature shirts adorned with badges, scarves and somewhat militaristic manner. The Scouts are active in nearly every American community. Over the course of several days, The Register will explore what makes area Boy Scouts unique, and how they fit into the big picture of what a Scout should stand for. The stories will highlight former Scouts, the current Scoutmasters, and those that are involved today. “Boy Scouts was everything to me,” Victor Haskins said as he sat at a table, sipping on a glass of water. “I’ve basically been in it my whole life. I’ve always had the need to help others, and the Scouts offered a good opportunity for that.” ONE SPECIFIC instance beckons back to Haskins’ days of Scouting.
Haskins, 29, started Scouting in Iola when he was in kindergarten, as a member of the Cub Scouts. He worked his way up through the ranks and eventually reached the rank of Eagle Scout — no easy feat, and the highest rank in the national organization. He moved to Iola from Frankfurt, Kan., at a young age, where his father, Jim, was the Scoutmaster.
Haskins’ life experiences have led him through Allen Community College, the National Guard, University of Kansas and ultimately to a career as a computer technician with Advantage Computers in Iola. He said his time as a Boy Scout has bled through nearly every aspect of his life.
“The easier question would be what I didn’t learn,” he said with a chuckle.
Haskins joined the 891st battalion of the National Guard, and was dispatched to Fallujah Air Force Base in Iraq in 2004. He said the Boy Scouts taught him everything he needed to know about discipline and respect.
“I learned to respect myself and respect others,” he said. “There’s nothing I learned in the military that I didn’t learn in the Boy Scouts.”
After returning from Iraq, he completed his associates degree at ACC in 2007 and moved on to KU, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2011. He since began working with Advantage Computers in Iola, repairing and debugging computers.
“I remember the ice storm of ‘01,” Haskins said. “Branches were breaking off because of the weight of the ice, and falling into the roads.”
A powerful storm system had blanketed the area, breaking the limbs and dropping them in front of traffic and pedestrians. Haskins said he didn’t think twice before taking to the roads, throwing branches and debris from the road and pathways. It’s times like these he realizes how much of an effect the Boy Scouts had on him.
After receiving his Eagle Scout rank at 16, Haskins assisted with his troop as a junior assistant Scoutmaster, and then as an assistant Scoutmaster. He would spend summers “ambling around” Quivira Scout Ranch (a camp located south of Sedan), and helping out his fellow Scouts.
He reminisced about helping as a leader with the camp, and meeting other Scouts from across the area. They all had something in common — the Scout Laws.
“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent,” Haskins said, reciting the values over a decade since he had left the Scouts.
Haskins said he hopes to be involved with the Scout troop in Iola, and possibly be a Scoutmaster in the long run. It’s the least he can do for something that was such a large part of his life.
“I want to give back to the group that gave me so much,” he said.
