Dear Reader,      

     I'm a BSA (Boy Scouts of America) Star Scout from Troop 16 Westerly, and I was a Cub scout in Westerly's Pack 2.  When I was a Bear Cub scout, I completed the Robotics Belt Loop with my Den. For one of the requirements, my Den leader was able to set up a meeting with Westerly's local FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) robotics team, Free Wifi 13181, and my Den was able to go. Meeting with them was so much fun! I got to learn about what they did and how they built their robot.  I think my favorite part was when they allowed us to drive the robot they used in their competition matches. I was so sad to hear that on May 31, 2022, the Robotics Belt Loop was discontinued.  Because of the Robotics Belt Loop, I decided to join FTC Team 13181 Free Wifi, which is the same team that first introduced me to robotics as a Bear cub scout.  This past year was my first year in FTC.  During my first year, my team qualified for the World Championships in Houston, TX!  My team was one of two teams that was able to represent Rhode Island at the World Championships, where we competed against teams from across the globe.  We qualified because our team won the RI Inspire Award, largely for the community outreach work we accomplished by teaching about robotics with Pack 2.  
     
     I never would have had the amazing experience of competing at the World Championship if I had not learned about Robotics as a Bear scout.  I am hoping that you might consider signing the petition to reinstate the Robotics Belt Loop.  My younger brother is a Wolf scout and will be a Bear scout next year. I feel sad that I received a belt loop that my younger brother will never be able to have. Nothing would make me happier than to give back to him what I was given, by teaching his Bear den through my Robotics team. 
     

    Thank you for considering my request.