Taylor Miller found Scouting later than most, then realized it was gone way too soon. She wasn’t ready to leave it behind.
Miller joined Scouting as an eighth grader and continued with the program through high school before aging out. When she arrived at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, she thought she’d left Scouting in her past. Seeing a flyer for Scouting Purdue changed that.
“I remembered how much I loved Scouting,” says Miller, a sophomore who now serves as the organization’s vice president of communications.
Founded in 2023, Scouting Purdue gives Scouting alumni and Eagle Scouts a way to stay connected, make new friends and continue living the values of the Scout Oath and Law. On Scouting first caught up with Scouting Purdue last fall to see if the idea of college students sticking with Scouting was popular on campus.
It’s safe to say it was — and still is. The group has 50 dues-paying members and 172 total members, including students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members. Members organize campouts, hiking trips and volunteer activities.
Last spring, they added a nostalgic twist to campus life: Purdue’s first Pinewood Derby.
Eleven members spent months planning the April 2026 event, from developing race rules to promoting it across campus. They attracted 21 racers, including students who weren’t Scouts and others whose last experience had been as Cub Scouts.
Several even had their original Pinewood Derby cars tucked away at home.
“When we were tabling on campus, people would come up to us and say, ‘I still have my car from when I was a Cub Scout. Can I race that?’” recalled Miller, a natural resources and environmental science major. “And we were like, ‘Yep, just bring your car from home.’”
The event featured two divisions. The classic division followed traditional Pinewood Derby rules, while the advanced division embraced Purdue’s engineering culture and allowed racers to design more unconventional cars. The main restriction: no pyrotechnics.
With two tracks provided by local Scouting groups, the race took place in the basement of the Wilmeth Active Learning Center, Purdue’s main library building.
For Miller, the fun extended beyond race day. She especially enjoyed the planning meetings, where members debated everything from car dimensions to track logistics.
Scouting Purdue is already planning next spring’s derby and helping other universities establish similar organizations. Groups at the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska are among those pursuing the idea. The Citadel in South Carolina has one of the most active groups in the U.S.
For former Scouts who aren’t ready to give up the friendships, outdoor adventures and traditions they grew up enjoying, Miller offers five tips for starting a college Scouting alumni group:
1. Choose your model. Decide whether to create an informal campus community, a Scouting fraternity or a Venturing crew.
2. Spread the word. Promote the group at campus involvement fairs, distribute flyers and connect with local Scouting units.
3. Hold an initial meeting. Bring interested people together to discuss the mission, leadership, communication channels and potential activities.
4. Make it official. Check university requirements for registering student organizations, including whether a constitution is required.
5. Get out and do something. Organize a hike, campout, volunteer project, game night or dinner. The goal is to build connections and friendships.
Photos: Taylor Miller
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