1918-1921: 

In the spring of 1918 L. Ron Hubbard and his grandfather embark on an “automotive adventure” —from Helena to Portland, Oregon, in a Model T Ford.

After returning to Helena, Ron takes his first adventure by himself, traveling to Tacoma, Washington to meet up with his father. He then moves with his parents first to San Diego and then a year later to Oakland, California.

1922-1923: 

L. Ron Hubbard moves north to Puget Sound in Washington State. He joins the Boy Scouts of America in April 1923. As a member of Tacoma Troop 31, he becomes a Second Class Scout on 8 May and two months later, on 5 July, advances to First Class Scout.

In October, Harry Ross Hubbard receives orders to report to the nation’s capital. Ron and his parents board the USS Ulysses S. Grant on 1 November 1923 and sail to New York from San Francisco through the recently opened Panama Canal. They then journey to Washington, DC. During this voyage, Ron meets Commander Joseph “Snake” Thompson, who has recently returned from Vienna and studies with Sigmund Freud. Through the course of their friendship, the commander spends many an afternoon in the Library of Congress teaching Ron what he knows of the human mind.

By 11 December 1923, Ron, now part of Washington’s Boy Scout Troop 10, earns his Carpentry, First Aid and Fireman merit badges.

1924-1925: 

In the month of January 1924 Ron earns his Electricity, Personal Health, Photography and Public Health merit badges.

In February, after earning his Safety First, Craftsmanship, Swimming, Physical Development and Pioneering merit badges, Ron obtains his Life Scout and Star Scout medals.

In March, Ron obtains his Handicraft, Automobiling and Pathfinding merit badges. On 20 March Ron represents Troop 10 while visiting President Calvin Coolidge and five days afterwards, on 25 March, becomes the nation’s youngest Eagle Scout. The next day, Ron leaves Washington and returns to Montana by cross-country train.

While in Montana, Ron continues his scouting activities, organizes scouting events and acts as an Assistant Scoutmaster. In 1925 Ron moves to Seattle where he attends Queen Anne High School.