Why I Created Stand. Build. Become.
When I was 14 years old, I became an Eagle Scout. I loved scouting.
It gave me structure, motivation, discipline, confidence, and experiences that shaped who I became. I learned lessons as a teenager that I still use today as a husband, father, and adult.
As my wife and I began raising our own five children, we found ourselves wanting our teenagers to have that same kind of growth experience.
But we also realized something important:
The world teenagers are growing up in today is very different from the world I grew up in.
Today’s teenagers still need structure.
They still need confidence.
They still need motivation, accountability, discipline, and purpose.
But the skills they need most today are different.
Most teenagers today do not need to master canoeing, wilderness survival, fire building, or backpacking skills.
They need to learn how to:
- stay motivated
- manage technology
- set goals
- develop discipline
- manage time
- communicate well
- build confidence
- create healthy habits
- prepare for real-world success
One night, my wife and I were talking about this very problem.
We were discussing how teenagers today would still benefit from a program similar to scouting — a program that helps them grow step-by-step, build confidence, complete challenges, and develop real-life skills.
But we both knew many teenagers today would not connect with traditional scouting programs in the same way.
That’s when my wife said something simple that changed everything:
“Then design a program that’s like scouting… but built for today’s teenager.”
So I did.
That conversation became the beginning of Stand. Build. Become.
This program was created to help teenagers intentionally build the habits, mindset, life skills, confidence, and discipline they need to succeed in today’s world.
Not through lectures.
Not through entertainment.
But through action, accountability, guided learning, challenges, and real-life application.
My hope is that Stand. Build. Become. helps teenagers discover something powerful:
That they are capable of becoming far more than they currently believe.
And that with structure, guidance, and consistent effort, incredible growth is possible.
Tom Pettit - Founder