Revisiting advancement topic

[Mrw]

That is not the norm, but it sounds as if your son did a very good job of expressing himself and defending his position.

As for not doing well at his Eagle BOR, that is why those are run by someone from Council (or your district) rather that the troop leadership.

[aflmom]

My son commented that he felt like he already went through his Eagle BOR and that some of the questions were ones he had seen on the internet.

It will be nice when this gets resolved and he can enjoy the meetings again. He's come home pretty stressed and wiped out the past two weeks. It's difficult enough for an adult to face 3 peers, let alone a scout/student to face 3 adults in a semi-confrontational meeting. He expects the 'bar' will be raised on him as he goes through the rest of his ranks and merit badges, but is okay with that. He just views it as another challenge.

[EagleBoy62204]

As much as some want it to be, the bottom line is AGE AND MATURITY ARE NOT A REQUIREMENT to make Eagle.

Scouts as young as 12 1/2 have made Eagle.

National will overturn any decision by an SM, Eagle BOR, District or Council to hold up a Scout merely because of age and/or maturity. If you can't resolve this with your SM, take it right up the line to District, then Council, then National.

the problem with that is, now with the time requirements installed on star and life, you cant legally get eagle till you are almost 13. (12 and 10 months)

that and i see it the way i have stressed this in the past about kids this young achieving eagle. They dont learn a dam thing. The parents do their merit badges and their eagle projects for them, instead of them learning how to do it and lead by themselves. Even then wheres the leadership at that age? You have to have a leadership rank for star through eagle a totle of a year and four months. 4 for star, and 6 for life and eagle respectfully. If the boy reaches eagle within his 13th birthday, is it really him who has achieved the rank or the dad or mom who pushed and did everything for him


my suggestion is to let your boy take his time, dont rush him. Dont rush the troop because that will always complicate things, expecially if he is so close to achieving eagle. Thats the one thing you dont ever want to sacrafice.

[Mrw]

Many times it is not the boy's goal to get Eagle so fast and it might not be much fun for a kid who is pushed to get it as fast as possible. No wonder these kids tend to drop out - it was a chore to be in Scouts!

The particular boy this thread is referring to is a bit ahead of most of his peers when it comes to the learning aspects of getting the badges done and the ability to organize and motivate himself. The adults need to learn not to put up the atrificial roadblocks he is dealing with.

[FearLess]

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Andrew and I'm the scout that’s in the spotlight. As far as my parents rushing me, they have not done that to me at all. This was my decision. I am the one that chose to aim for my Eagle rank at 14 and one-half years of age. Since I joined the troop, I have been very dedicated. At my 1st SM Conference, my SM asked what I wanted to be. I promptly replied that I wanted to be an Eagle Scout. He acted rather surprised and shocked at my determination. Since then I have diligently worked on my requirements. I have been following the BSA guidelines and have not gotten anything easily. For now I am a 1st Class scout and by January I hope to advance to Star. It will depend on if my SM allows me to be checked off on my final requirement. We do not meet in the summer and only have camp outs every other month thus limiting available options. I plan on serving the required 6 months in a leadership position as Star and then Life. I already have my “prototype” Eagle Project set and it just needs to be approved. I’m not trying to take any shortcuts or exploit the BSA’s rules, I would just like to obtain my Eagle rank.


*~`(::)`~ *

[Rick Tyler]

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Andrew and I'm the scout that’s in the spotlight.

Hi Andrew,

You sound like a fine young man -- and I mean that as a compliment. Eagle at 14 isn't that big a deal. My older son could have done it (but he cruised for a couple of years and will have his Board of Review next week at 16 -- but with 41 merit badges...), and my younger son will be eligible in June -- at 14-1/2. A 14yo Eagle isn't that unusual, and I don't see why it is such a big deal. My older son was offered a chance to start college at 13, but turned it down -- I think he got a little intimidated by the university campus and all those big people, so I think I can understand a little of what you are going through.

I hate to sound like an adult, but follow the Oath and Law, and continue to do your best. It will turn out OK, even if you have to transfer to a different troop to find some adult leaders who understand that advancing faster than average is neither a problem or a threat. Tell your parents I said so. One thing you DON'T want to do is complain about the adult leaders to other Scouts. I guarantee that someone will repeat every word you say and it will get back to them. Remember the Oath and Law!

Let us know when you pass your Board of Review...

[EagleBoy62204]

Allow me to introduce myself.

Very Well stated if i do say so myself. What I said, is what i mean by young eagles, but this comes because in my 7 years as an actual scout (im 19 now), I have seen so many boys come and go. Gain the rank of Eagle, weither it be 14 or 17 and never stick around. Or join to earn eagle just because daddy wants them to follow in their footsteps. In fact, theres alot of that going on now in my troop.

Your introductory post in this thread makes me confident that you will break that mold that i have set in my mind about this topic. I do not frown against rank advancement at a young age, cause i was once there myself, and my brother whom is 12 is at that point where he is deciding weither or not to go to star right away, or stay in the troop, kick back and have fun. You sound like a very well educated kid expecially at your age, and would be a great candidate for eagle.

But please remember to have fun in this organization. Its a real life mover if you play it the right way. Do the things that few ever do. Philmont, Sea Base, Jamborees. Have Fun.

Hope to see you soon on the Eagle Wall.