B. Prescott Ruff of Durham has agree to serve as The Herald-Sun's correspondent at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Look for Ruff's articles from the Jamboree this week.

BY B. PRESCOTT RUFF II

2010 National Scout Jamboree Hometown News Correspondent

I'm thrilled to introduce myself to the Durham community as your very own Hometown News Correspondent for Boy Scouts of America's 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., from July 26 to Aug. 4, 2010!

I'm the 16-year-old youngest of three brothers, and we've shared a messy room together for my whole life! All three of us are in Scouts, and both my brothers have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 451, so our family loves the fun and training which Boy Scouts of America offers. I also have a little sister and the cutest Bichon ever. My parents both went to Duke and have homeschooled all four of us.

My interests are broad, ranging from Boy Scouts to ballet. I've just returned from five weeks of intensive summer training on full scholarship with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School.

One of the most notable things about me is that I spent a surprising stay in UNC hospital's intensive care unit in 2008 with the onset of juvenile diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes. I'm tackling this challenge with focus and energy all day every day. It has inspired me to earnestly study science at an AP level to become a doctor one day and help to find a cure for this disorder.

The Boy Scouts of America seeks to instill in youth a sense of responsible and active citizenship, which derives from a commitment to serve both God and country. I have greatly benefited from this guidance on several levels. I love participating in church life, especially youth events like the Durham Bulls game we just attended on Sunday. To me faith is fun, and Grace Church in Chapel Hill has been a great place to grow up in my faith. I look forward to serving on an international mission trip with my church in the near future.

Armed with faith in action, I have really enjoyed developing my character and service skills through Junior Leadership Durham as a high school sophomore. I also gained an insider's view on how Durham works as a Junior Commissioner of Durham. I am about to begin my Eagle Scout Service Project to landscape for The Reality Center across from Durham School of the Arts, working closely with Steve Larson, Reality Center coordinator. My newest and most exciting service has been to the American Diabetes Association, serving as a co-chair for and rider in the 2009 Tour de Cure cycling fundraiser event across the sand hills of North Carolina. My endocrinologist is Dr. John Buse, who just finished serving as president of ADA; he completely inspires me to hope in handling my diabetes and experiencing a cure one day.

I can't wait to tell the folks back home about all the details I discover at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Sticking with the Scout motto, I am prepared to have a fabulous time participating in all the amazing activities, experiencing all the exciting exhibits, and, of course, eating all that delicious Scout grub. I'll keep you posted!