Joyful Journeys of Scout Service

Danielle Spaulding’s life is driven by a simple purpose — she likes to make people smile and feel appreciated. At a young age, she discovered her passion for bringing out the best in herself and others, hence choosing her motive — Scouting. 

The Argyle resident has received multiple honors, including Community Service Merit Award, Driving Force Award, Golden Lariat award, and the District Award of Merit. Now the mother of two, she leads several scout groups, helping many kids learn and grow better. 

“I appreciate all the things scouting helps to instill in our kids as it did in myself,” she said. “Confidence, respect, kindness, being courteous, thrifty, and building character. Scouting helps make the world a better place one scout at a time and encourages them to be active in other sports and activities,” she said.

Danielle started as a Cub Scout leader in 2013 when her son became a Cub Scout and has continued leading until now. She became the District Membership Chair for BSA Frontier Trails and a unit commissioner for Pack 192 and Troop 192B. Last year in April, she founded the newest Argyle Girls BSA Troop 192G. Danielle also enjoys substitute teaching at Argyle ISD schools. 

“I just like to help kids learn, whether it is school subjects or about the outdoors,” she added, “I enjoy making people smile. I enjoy seeing the kids working on an activity that benefits others and makes us all smile while doing so.”

When her kids were growing, Danielle was excited to have them explore and learn. Over the years, she led various groups and conducted several service and conservation projects. 

“We cleared trash through the Cross Timbers Trail Head,” Danielle said. “We resurfaced and removed rocks and brush from trails throughout our Scout Summer Camp. We had a food drive every year to restock the food in Argyle’s Food Bank at First Baptist Church of Argyle. The boys would go door to door knocking and collecting canned goods while also collecting from their elementary school parents. We even participated and held a coat drive.

“It’s refreshing to see them take a break from electronics to appreciate the outdoors. Seeing them explore the woods collecting hiking sticks, fossils, and building forts around camp is rewarding.”

Every holiday season, Danielle conducts fun and creative activities involving her troop. Last Christmas, they spent a day at Select Rehab of Denton, making elves in mason jars. Rehab patients and troop kids enjoyed making 39 elf jars, one for each patient.

“I had fun making the elf mason jars and helping,” said Ella Towell, age 12. “Decorating and meeting new people is the most fun. I learned that giving is important. My favorite thing I’ve learned so far is about knife, saw, and ax safety.”

The kids didn’t just enjoy the activity — they enjoyed the stories of the rehab members. A 102-year-old patient told his story of being in WW2. Another 90-year-old also shared her story with kids. 

“I really loved working with the older people and designing the jars,” said Josie Brown, age 12. “I learned how lonely it can be in a rehab home and how social interaction can better someone’s day.” 

For Danielle’s son, the activity was more like learning about the rehab residents and their life experiences. Being in Scouts BSA, Peyton has learned many survival skills, like starting a fire, setting up tents, and finding water. 

“My favorite thing is learning how to make different things in the wilderness from nature, like makeshift tools and shelters to survive if needed. We learn these things over summer resident camp and high adventures,” the 16-year-old Peyton said. 

Peyton’s sister, 12-year-old Sophia, likes doing fun activities with scout friends. She enjoyed crafting with patients in the rehab. “I liked going back to the rehab center and doing another fun craft with the patients like last time. It’s nice to cheer people up when they aren’t feeling well,” Sophia said.

“Scouting is fun. I like getting to pick out and cook our meals on campouts. The hardest thing I’ve done so far was camping in a tent in Kansas in two degrees,” she said. 

“I think my motivation is simple. People need people,” Danielle said. “Everyone should feel appreciated, loved, seen, and heard. If everyone made a point of doing something to help someone else or just spending time with someone who may be lonely, even a neighbor, maybe the world would look a little brighter for those who feel they are in the shadows.”