mentor pin

[imjorman040991]

ive been thinking about who to give my mentor oin to(pending wether or not i pass my board) and i had a question: is it wrong to give the mentor pin to someone under 18? I have a friend who I look up to like crazy and she's who I can go to no matter what, I was wondering if it was appropriate to give her the mentor pin because of her age

[scoutaholic]

As far as I know, there are no guidelines dictating to whom you can choose to give the mentor pin.

They just started including the Mentor pin in the Eagle recognition set about 3 years ago. I, as SM, have received it twice. I have seen it presented to other influential scouting leaders, grandparents, uncles, etc. I have never seen one presented to a friend/peer, but if she was an influence that helped you get there, there is no reason you can't give it to her.

[imjorman040991]

alright great, cause she is one of the reasons i pushed on when things got tough and shes been the influential person in my life that almost everyone ahs...so im glad to see that thers no problem

[summertop]

The mentor pin is a bigger "award" than you might think. It can be something VERY meaningful to the recipient. When my sone had to decide who to give his to, I counciled him to give it to the person that influenced him the most in scouting. I also counciled him not to give it to Mom or Dad.

I did not put an age limit on it. If your friend is that person, then she deserves it!

My advice is to do more than just give it to her. Usually there is a printed program/agenda for the Eagle Court. Put the awarding of the pin in the program (without specifying the recipient). Then when it is time to award the pin, you, the Eagle candidate, can explain: what the pin is, how significant it is, how the person influenced you in scouting. Then call the person up and formaly present it to them. This makes it much more meaningful.

[WifeofEagle]

The word mentor means a "wise and trusted counselor or teacher" according to the Am. Heritage Dictionary. It doesn't define it by age, relationship, or gender. If this young person means that much to you then recognize her!