EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — There are several local activities competing for 12-year-old Ambrose Holcomb's time.

Every season sports are offered at Eagle Valley Middle School and through Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District. The middle school also has a band and there's a local theater group for kids. The slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek regularly beckon. And if he has a minute of free time, there is a whole world of video gaming to explore.

But for six years now, Ambrose has chosen to dedicate a significant amount of his free time to the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys working on merit badges ranging from shooting sports to first aid. He's anxiously looking forward to attending the national Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia this summer.

“If there is any Boy Scout who is not going to go, he's crazy,” said Ambrose.

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 100th anniversary on Feb. 8. The organization's history in Eagle is nearly that long. On May 30, 1919 the Eagle Valley Enterprise first referenced the local Boy Scout troop. On June 18, 1920, Eagle pioneer Joe Allen became the local scoutmaster.

Through the decades, thousands of local boys have build pinewood racers, strapped on snowshoes, learned the fine art of fire building and more. In this age of myriad sport offerings and digital diversions, local Scouting numbers have dwindled. But according to Wayne Nelson, district Boy Scout chairman, the organization's mission has never been more relevant.

“Playing videos may be fun, but the way Scouting works is fun with a purpose,” said Nelson. “Our main purpose is to help other people at all times.”

Nelson wasn't a Scout as a youth. He became involved in the group when his son Billy joined. He's now volunteered for 14 years. He said the local group has benefited from some amazing leadership through the years — volunteers including Brian Brubaker and Larry Ferguson and Don Laughlin.

“Obviously, the whole program is based on volunteer participation,” he said.

While he has enjoyed lots of camping trips and competitions and ceremonies, Nelson said his favorite memory is more general.

“The greatest thing is to watch the boys grow from boys to responsible young men,” said Nelson.

As they make that personal journey, local Scouts have also had a big impact on the community. Eagle Scout candidates have built things that residents enjoy to this day. Various community events have come to depend upon the Scouts for manpower. And yes, today's Scouts still help out the elderly by raking leaves and doing chores.

Nelson notes that while it has a rich history, the Boy Scouts are not stuck in the past. Today's Scouts can earn merit badges for plumbing and personal financial management and computer skills in addition to First Aid and mountaineers. At the same time, some adventures never go out of style.

On Feb. 20, Scouts from throughout Western Colorado will gather at Sylvan Lake State Park to participate in the annual Klondike competition. An estimated 200 boys will race sleds they have built themselves, compete in shooting sports, trek on snowshoes and more.

“I'd love the public to come up and see it. It's a lot of fun,” said Nelson.

That's also true of the Pinewood Derby competitions that local Cub Scouts will contest next month. And with the Boy Scouts' centennial being celebrated this year, the national jamboree in Virginia this summer will be an event to remember. Eleven local Scouts are slated to attend the event and they will also visit New York City and Washington D.C. on their journey. Each one of the boys had to raise $3,000 to pay for the trip and that happened by selling popcorn and Christmas trees and hamburgers. It's taken a lot of work, but it will be well worth the effort.

As Boy Scouts of America launches its second century, Nelson believes the organization's aim has never been more timely.

“There's always room for values and high standards,” said Nelson. “I think future looks really bright for Boys Scouts. We provide something nobody else provides. It's not just fun and games, but its a path for boys to follow to become leaders.”