Eagle At 13?

[616kayak]

I agree that being a great eagle requires character. I also feel being an eagle requires character. In addition, being a great eagle requires you to go above and beyond and master your skills.
If all some one know is what they learned in the MB classes and then a little extra then they are like every other eagle. To be a great eagle when compared to others they must have also mastered some skills. A large part of being an eagle is being a productive knowledgeable person.

People can become great eagles at any time even after they have become an eagle. Some great people had lead lives opposite from what they were considered great for until they made a change.

[Lynda J]

Skriser. CONGRATULATIONS to your son and to you. Having a disabled brother I know how hard it can be. George made Eagle. This was nearly 40 years ago. It took a lot of work by my dad and mother and me. It also took loads of understanding from other parents.

I am sorry anyone is so narrow minded to complain about a challenged Scout going to camp. This past week I was at summer camp with my boys. There was a boy confined to a wheel chair there. It was great to see how everyone around helped. Including the aquatic staff.

[t305spl]

I am 16. A life scout and working on Eagle Project now. I have the feeling that not every Eagle really knows the stuff. I have met young Eagles barely able to say the scout oath. Now I cant say this happens often or that young Eagles are bad but I believe you need to put a little tougher standards down. I personally dont like to see 13 year old eagles. Just my opinion i dont believe they are mature enough or ready to stand with the rest of the Eagles in the world for their entire life.

I know Eagles that cant speak in front of people and make decisions. You cant be a leader if you cant make decisions and you cant be an Eagle if you cant be a leader.

I have learned a lot about scouting during my few scouting years, I love it, and have enjoyed the entire learning experience and want to stay with it for life. I dont feel I am even ready to make eagle. Theres still alot for me to learn.

[Bfitz]

What I find kind've sad is the other end of the age-spectrum. Those 17 year, 11 month old Eagle candidates racing to get their Eagle before their 18th birthday. Many that receive it after 18 never get to experience the great feeling of wearing the Eagle badge to meetings/Scout functions. This is a proud feeling which only other Eagle Scouts can relate. People treat you differently when you wear the Eagle badge. If you've made Eagle, be it at 14 or 17 you've earned that respect.

We have 14 Life Scouts with 2 kids very close to Eagle. One is 17.999 & just graduated High School. Although I beleive he will get to Eagle before he's off to college he will miss out on the feeling of pride in wearing it on your uniform. Its almost as-if the Eagle rank is a parting gift. Its nice to have active Eagle Scouts in the weekly troop functions where the other Scouts can see an Eagle in-action (before he leaves for college).

Just my opinion...

[616kayak]

I have two goals this year in scouts.
1) make eagle asap. im not running out of time i just want to have it done so i can say i have to wait for my leadership position/ rank buffer.
2) get a bigger crew on the AT.

[USforester]

While much discussion has raged over the possible shortest time it might take to make the Eagle rank one item I have not seen as much discussion about is leadership. While technically you can complete all the listed skills one of the requirements of each of the upper ranks is leadership. Ideally this leadership consists of different positions within the Troop leadership ranks so that you get exposure to different leadership tasks. It's through leadership that a scout truely is able to test himself and understand the hard skills he's learned, figured out how to apply these skills to teaching and leading others and is then able to understand how all these skills work together to make a Troop or any group run.

I also must say I agree with others in saying enjoy the journey. While the destination is a great point how you get there can be even more rewarding.

[Scouting179]

The bottom line is that if national say you're an Eagle, you're an Eagle...and they will not kick back an app just for a candidate being 14 or wherever else someone thinks is too young.

[hacimsaalk]

it is absolutely possible. in our troop, we have boys crossing over when they are 10 ( abotu to turn 11). so, in theory it would be possible for them to acchieve eagle by the time they're 12. ( in theory)

13 is way possible. if i wouldve kept pressure on myself to earn it, i coulve done it, but alas, i slacke doff, now im 15 and still working

[ICanCanoeCanU]

ayh but the real question for you hacimsaalk - are you still enjoying yourself? Do you feel you are still learning new things, new experiences and do you consider yourself a good contributor to the program and your troop?
If you answered yes to these questions (and I'm guessing you will) then does it really matter what age you earn your Eagle? or does it?

[momma_bee]

When I see 13yo Eagle, all I can think is that he can't even serve on staff at a council event. I don't think he can go to our JLT camp - Makes me feel old.

I tend to think in terms of capital letters. I'm thinking of a boy that is working on his Eagle. In my mind, he may earn his eagle (small e) but will never be an Eagle (capital E) And that has nothing to do with his age, and everything to do with his leadership skills and attitude.

If he sticks around, he will have the chance to change my mind.

I want my son to be an Eagle with a capital letter if he makes it.

My son earned his Arrow of Light and could have bridged when he was 10yr, 6mo; but he waited 2 months to bridge with his den. If we had put him into a troop that was active in the 'First Class, First Year' program he could be pushed into earning his Star by the end of summer or sooner. But, I would have missed him realizing that he WANTS this. The look on his face now makes it worth waiting as a Mommy.

Disabled Scouts are a challenge, but so rewarding. I admire your stick-to-it-tiveness. I'm curious - did he do the typing or did you take dictation? I ask because I have a nephew with some problems in writing. He is very articulate, but don't ask him to leave his Mom a note that says you called. He is grown and thinks he has failed academically and I'd love to be able to share that there are others who function, and suceed. And, since I have taken dication for kids for years, I don't have a problem with it - it brings it's own challanges to the writer.

[summertop]

I've seen young eagles (12/13) and older (17) eagles. I have not seen a difference because of age. There are only two types of eagles. those that "earn" it. and those that "receive" it.

Those that "earn" it, take responsibilities for it. They are the ones driving. They do the requirements. They learn the most.

Those that "receive" it, sit back. Mom, Dad, and the leaders basically force the boy to do the requirements. I've even seen where dad basically does the eagle project. He plans, executes, and finishes it. The eagle candidate didn't do any more than any other scout. The eagle doesn't learn as much and the rank doesn't mean as much.

Younger scouts AND older scouts ALL fall into these two categories. In fact, most often the scout that earns the Eagle at 17 is more likely to be the one that "receives" it.

Conversely, the scout that receives it at 12/13 is more likely the one that "Earns" it.

[lifescoutforlife]

Very well said summertop.

[summertop]

Just FYI, I have a son that got his Eagle at 15. another that should have it by the time he is 13. and yet another that is on track to have it while he is 12.

I feel they have (or will have) earned the Eagle.My wife and I give them whatever help they need, but they must drive the work.

[616kayak]

I agree with summertop. The majority of scouts who as summertop says, “receive” their eagle are those who procrastinate. I do feel that the close second would be the early eagles.

Of course age doesn’t determine experience. Age determines the amount of time the scout has been given the opportunity to gain the experiences. Now a scout can be more experienced in 3 years than another scout who has been a scout for 5 years. It is not always easy, nor is it as common, but it is possible.

I think we would all agree not to make a scout rush through eagle. To let him go at his own pace. We have all been on hikes where we have no choice but to go at someone else’s pace. We all know how painful that can be. We have all been there before. Now, if a scout is going too slowly there is no reason why we can’t motivate him like we would on a hike. In the end, what matters is that a scout can look back and say he had a great time.

[imjorman040991]

i feel that its not right to let a 13 year old recieve the eagle scout award. Because the 17 year olds who "procrastinate" as you call it, worked hard and took the time to learn all the skills the right way and engrain them into memory when theyll be usefull. And i dont see how a 13 year old can be an effective leader...hes no where mature enough to lead a group of boys, 17 year olds at that. The 13 year old wouldnt have the respect in my eyes as a true eagle...eagle is as much about personality and leadership as it is skills. In my opinion, personality and leadership is moreimportant than skills...i know eagles who would drop anything to go help a fellow eagle...a 13 year old would not do that.

[wagionvigil]

Got to sell that to National.

[lifescoutforlife]

What is to young? 13? 14? 15? I would rather see a scout make eagle at a age were they can help others than to see one come back to a court of honor at 18+ to receive there eagle and never see them again. I would be glad for both of them reguardless but troops need some eagle scouts in them to help the others follow the path to eagle. I personally watched a 11 year old first year scout help a 17 year old that just made eagle with a merit badge at summer camp this year. If you let the kids lead there own troop and help them only when they need help you can produce some very good young leaders. Some people say it is not a race to eagle but I see a lot of 17+ year olds racing to make it at the end.

[wagionvigil]

There is a thread about changing the program some. More to model the UK program. Is it a good idea? yes and no. Find it and take a look at it.
I have seen eagles at 13 and 14 and they stay in the program and become mentors to younger scouts as they grow. I have also seen 13 and 14 year olds get the rank and that is the last you see of them. Guess what?I have seen exactly the same in 17 year old eagles.

[gwd-scouter]

Weighing in on the 13 y.o. Eagle that won't help and the 17 y.o. Eagle taking his time to refine skills. That hasn't always been my experience!

Just this past year, I had two 17 year olds that suddenly decided they wanted to make Eagle. They had not spent the last 6 years refining skills, performing leadership, mentoring young scouts, etc. They worked hard for about 3 years and made it to Life. Then they disappeared only to turn up in the last year before they turned 18. They had remembered none of the skills learned. They were not very effective leaders to the younger Scouts since the younger guys didn't even know who they were. Even though they made the effort to perform their PORs and were fairly active for 6 months, one could tell they were only in it for themselves. Perhaps parents were pushing them.

I am glad to say that one of those young men (made his Eagle last October) has returned to the Troop as an ASM. His first trip as ASM was last weekend and he really was an asset.

My older son is one of those "young" Eagles. He made rank at 14 1/2. He is now almost 20 and has been active in Scouts from the time he joined Tiger Cubs in 1st grade. By active I do not mean he was merely registered as some would suggest, but missed only a handful of outings in all those years, attends OA activities, and works at our council summer camp. And, oh yes, he's an ASM with our troop and goes with us on campouts when he can come home from college.

I know several other young Eagles that are much like my son. I know a lot more older Eagles that are similar to those I described above.

To me, it is not the age of the Scout, but the character of the Scout that counts!

Just my 2 cents worth.

[pipestone1991]

Ehhh, I'm nearly 15 and still don't have my Eagle for various reasons (trust me, I could've had it fairly soon). For one, the year I was first class I was an ASPL, well, I found out by Aug. that year that it doesn't work for Star. So I became the quatermaster and for the first time in 50 years, worked hard at it. I spent countless hours making brand-new shelves and taking inventory of everyhting from the past 50 years. It took months. I decided by Nov. that it wasn't right for me. When I went to get it signed off so I could take my Star BOR, apparently I never was quartermaster even though they appointed me it and I had to take a new job. In Dec. I became Chaplain's Aide, I worked that hard and tried again to get it signed off in April after four months. Now the excuse was that I didn't "officially" start the job until January so I had to wwait another month. I can take my Life BOR in Nov. and can take my Eagle as soon as May at 15.5 which I think is ripe age to become Eagle.