Eagle At 13?

[OldGreyBear]

Just a quick question, how many here know of a Varsity Unit on the right side of the Mississppi? If so where are you?

It's funny how Eagle is claimed to be so much easier yet in the District I serve, the average age of an Eagle continues to be 16-17 years old. I dont see a dumming down of Eagle, I guess it could happen but adult leadership would have to be compliant in it

[jhawk]

I have been wondering for years why people are so worried about when a boy makes Eagle. When, and if it happens, it is all due to motivation. The same reason accounts for whether a boy makes First Class his first year or if he takes three years to do it. An active scout can easily make First Class in 9 months and if he has gotten a few merit badges along the way it isn't tough to get Star. If he stays active and earns a few more badges, there's Life. Get busy on a project and there you go--Eagle. Getting Eagle is a wonderful accomplishment but let's not elevate it to canonization.... Let's encourage all scouts to make it there, whether that is at 13 or 17.
Personally, I think more of a scout who makes it earlier rather than waiting to the last minute. I have seen kids at Life get everything done but a project, disappear for 2 years, show up and do a project and disappear again after the COH. That's acceptable, but not very impressive....
Every boy is expected to do his best at each rank. Why belittle the rank for those who reach it earlier? Yes, my son was one of those 13-year-old
Eagles, but unlike many who quit Scouting at that point, he has stayed with it and will be active as a scout until age 18 and a Venturer after that. He is not less of an Eagle because he was young. Is a college graduate at 21 inferior to a college graduate who graduated at 35? No. You do the work, you get what you earned. Earning Eagle takes work, dedication, and effort from a motivated boy. It does not require superior intelligence or mean you have to be able use pioneering skills to lash together a houseful of furniture for a family of five. You do not get the ability to leap over tall buildings in a single bound after getting Eagle, you just feel like you can.
Making any rank at any age should be a celebration of effort, not an opportunity to look at it askance and question the integrity of the people who awarded it or the integrity of the boy who earned it, whatever the age.

[PPC_NYLT]

IMO, being an Eagle Scout isn't just about completing the requirements and having this fancy looking badge and medal on your uniform or the two words "Eagle Scout" on a college or job application. It’s about what you about yourself and others on the journey.

On my journey, I wasn't overly involved in scouting for the first 2 or 3 years. I just wanted to become an Eagle so I could put it on my college application. I actually told my parents (I don't remember this but they embarrassed me with it at my Eagle COH) that once I get my Eagle, I never want to hear or see anything related to scouting. I learned more about myself in the time I spent climbing to the summit than I ever could have imagined.

When I was a Star and Life Scout, I knew first aid, pioneering, climbing, swimming, lifesaving, and other outdoor skills like the back of my hand. What I didn't know was how to be a leader in my own life and in my troop; I didn't understand the responsibilities that (should) come along with the rank of Eagle Scout. So I decided to put the advancement aside for a while, and, as a Life Scout, I went to JLTC and my council's University of Scouting. Well, this is what made me realize what it means to be an Eagle. Seeing the caliber programs that were run by scout not much older than me was nothing like seeing a troop program. I took these skills back to my troop and tried to resurrect my troop program. I became the leader that an Eagle is supposed to be due to this training before I achieved the rank.

Attaining Eagle at 13 does not always allow you the opportunity to get this training. Sure, you have minimal leadership training from TLT, but that’s not thorough enough to provide the scout with the skills to execute an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. The scout should be demonstrating leadership at the project and learning how to tweak his skills to make them more efficient, not the basics of leadership, which is likely to happen if a scout tries to complete the project too early in his scouting career.

Obviously, there are exceptions; one of whom is a good friend of mine. My feeling is that they are just missing out on what the rank is supposed to teach them. Like I said, it’s what’s behind the requirements that counts; its not just having the badge. I don’t think there should be a requirement change, or anything like that. I just want to express some problems I’ve seen in my home troop and district. I also feel this way because my district had a stretch that ended with my Eagle BoR, where it approved each and every project and Eagle that went before it and it agitates me that they can get the same recognition as me and their mom did all the work. (BTW, I was recommended for the rank of Eagle at that BoR, but that was the first one with the new Adv. Chair and DC).

[jhawk]

PPC
Wow, not only are those young Eagles not proficient in skills or have leadership skills, but now you think their moms did their projects??? Sounds like you aren't just throwing stones, here, pal--you're blindly flinging tons of large boulders.... You must be really, really strong to carry around such a big chip on your shoulder.
I notice you like the quote "First Among Equals." Who are your equals you are first among? I would gather that it isn't any Eagle you know except the one you mentioned.... I can assure you my Eagle didn't have his project done by his mommy and I doubt anyone else had one done by their mom, either.
My son was able to lead his project better than a 17 1/2 year old Life Scout I am watching with his project right now.... It has nothing to do with age. And if this particular boy finishes this project and passes his board of review, should I imply that he is an inferior Eagle? I think not. Sometimes you learn the most about leadership when the going is tough. You cannot make a blanket statement that younger people can't lead. I know senior citizens who can't lead and boys who can.
You might know Eagles whom you consider good leaders and some you think are not so good, but you aren't their personal board of review. If the adults involved in a scout's long trail to Eagle are satisfied, a reasonable adult can make an assumption in favor of the scout that requirements were met. And like it or not, meeting the stated requirements is all that is necessary. Being a primadonna is not one of the requirements.

[maricopasem]

Sure, you have minimal leadership training from TLT, but that’s not thorough enough to provide the scout with the skills to execute an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project.

A strong statement. Perhaps stronger than intended.

And I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly with jhawk.

[kman362]

I personally eared my Eagle at 15, what i find to be about average. There is definitely a maturity issue in being an Eagle. I'm not saying a 13yo can't be a good eagle, but i don't think most scouts are ready for it at this age. Looking back on my life five years later, there is a lot more i know now then i did when i was 15, and maybe i should have waited longer to get Eagle.

You also have to look at what boys get involved in after they are around 16, cars, sports, girls, etc. If you can get it when your young and active in scouting and you think your ready for it maturity wise, go for it.

-Kyle

[outfoxed86]

If a Scout is not advancing, what is he doing?

I've had a few boys who didn't care about being an Eagle Scout. They loved the outdoor program and Thats why they were here. I tell everyone who joins my troop I'm here to provide a safe,Fun place for the boys to come to. If they want to earn Eagle I'll do everything in my power to give them the proper toools to do so. If they dont thats fine too. I will encourge all to earn . But I wont Nagg them .Thats not my job.
Wayne

[WVBeaver05]

I have one like that too. He took 3 year to reach 1st Class. But, he participated in nearly all activities including community service. He is valuable to the Troop (an excellent Quartermaster). He probably has over 10 Merit Badges, but only 1 Eagle required (I think).

He is one that interested in the things that Scouts do - not advancement. He is now 15 and could change his focus at any time and progress right through the remaining Ranks. I'll continue to support him either way and am happy to have him in the Troop.

YiS

[scoutaholic]

If a Scout is not advancing, what is he doing?

I've had a few boys who didn't care about being an Eagle Scout. They loved the outdoor program and Thats why they were here. I tell everyone who joins my troop I'm here to provide a safe,Fun place for the boys to come to. If they want to earn Eagle I'll do everything in my power to give them the proper toools to do so. If they dont thats fine too. I will encourge all to earn . But I wont Nagg them .Thats not my job.
Wayne

Sometimes a scout is too busy doing scouting to concentrate on the advancements. I earned 1st Class at 12, had been serving as PL for several months, already had 4 MBs, and was elected into the OA. I got very involved in OA, and with regular troop campouts and troop meetings. From the best I can reconstruct advancement dates, it took me 9 months to get enough required MBs for star. By then I was SPL and OA Chapter Chief. With OA, and Troop activities, I was doing scouting 3-4 nights a week. Soon after that I added a part-time job to my busy schedule and my OA activities go more frequent. That summer I spent more time on scouting activities than I did at home. I went about 5 months without spending a weekend night in my bed. Two years later I was spending 3-4 nights a week with the OA, still attending troop meetings and camps, and also varsity team meetings. I was Chapter Chief, Varsity Team Captain, and JASM. Among all those other things, I finally got around to getting enough required MBs to get Life rank. I think by then I had partials on all the rest of the required MBs. I did my project at 16, and stayed busy with OA and scouting responsibilities. I didn't finish up the last partials until a few months before my 18th birthday.

All in all, it took me over 5 years to earn the last three ranks. I always had the goal of being an Eagle, but I was too busy doing the fun to pay attention to the details of the advancement program. I guess you could say I wasn't advancing, but I don't think anyone questioned my involvement or dedication to scouting.

[outfoxed86]

Its nice to hear that you took advantage of all scouting has to offer scoutaholic. Way too often scouts only look to advance and really miss out on all the other aspects of scouting fun. My son was the same as you we both were elected into the OA together. and both love it. we did our brotherhood together and were called to Vigil the same day. He was on the ceremonial Team,chapter chief , little lodge chief for weekends, lodge chief, cxc for program for or section.He has worked on campstaff for both our camps. He has had one of the best scouting experiences. There is so much out thereto do in scouting. He also recieved his Eagle when he was 18. Our family spends easly 4 nights a week on something scouting.
Wayne

[mhjacobson]

I have seen the opposite too often -- scouts who wait and wait to make the movement towards Eagle only to be derailed by that most dreaded of institutions: High School.

One of the scouts in my troop is a freshman and states that he often is up until 1:00 a.m. doing the required homework for his classes. He is a vocal proponent of doing as much advancement as possible prior to entering high school. He will make Eagle, and he will continue to keep up his GPA, but he is one very tired individual (and very good troop youth leader).

[Scouting179]

Each Eagle makes it when it's right for him, that's all there is to it. You'd don't have to like it, but that may be 12 or as they're turning 18.