Eagle Scout - Why do they wait til the last minute?

[pipestone1991]

My goal is to have mine by May next year at 15.5.....I need 3 more merit badges for Eagle and my project.

[OldGreyBear]

I would like to think when Eagle scouts reflect back on their youth they are thinking

I am so glad I made Eagle scout, it made my parents proud, I learned about life and leadership and the memories I made I think about daily.

Versus

The only reason I became an Eagle scout is because my miserable excuse for an old man wouldnt let me get my driver's license until I made @$**@@%! Eagle Scout, I hated it!

[summertop]

I disagree with the "No Eagle, No Driver's License" policy. In most cases, not having the license is a huge hinderance as a man. It's unfair to limit the boy's entire life because he doesn't value scouting like you do. It is very difficult to get a license later in life.

I can agree with "No Eagle, No Drive". But, go ahead and get the license.

[Mrw]

Our boys have gotten very motivated to do the badge work without constant reminders when told finishing was a condition for driving!

But you are right that what motivates one kid might completely demoralize another.

[ccmason]

I am brand new to this forum and am here because my son is going to join Scouts soon, and I am considering joining as a leader, but I have a few reservations.

I was in a wonderful troop when I started in Scouting. Lots of outdoor activities, and lots excellent leadership. I earned Star with them.

We moved a couple of times over the next few years and I was in some pretty bad troops. After the last move I was 16, a Life Scout and Brotherhood in the OA. I had been SPL for the last year in my previous troop, and had finished my Eagle project. I was going to join a troop in this new town, but the SM told me that he did not really want to bring on an older boy who would just get his couple of MBs and then leave. I would not have done that, but he disagreed.

I was getting more out of sports and was dating by then. So I quit with 2 MB left for my Eagle, and did not even try with another troop. After some of the things I had seen in Scouts the past few years, I just did not care anymore.

As a kid it was never about some badge. It was about the ideals that the Scouts represented, and nothing lived up to the first troop I was in. I found those ideals in sports, and I left Scouting behind. I have never regretted that decision. Not once.

I have great memories of scouting, and I would love for my son to experience the good stuff I did see. Above that I want him to enjoy the process of learning and earning his way.

A good leader can help him do that, and I am encouraged by the comments here. It seems there are still some leaders that focus on discpline, good fundamentals and fun. From reading this forum I can see that I will have to shop around though. It looks like there are still those that ask the question "why so long to get Eagle?"

[wagionvigil]

wELCOME TO THE FORUM. we ALL HOPE THAT YOU ENJOY YOUR STAY.
WAGIONVIGIL

[scoutaholic]

I am brand new to this forum and am here because my son is going to join Scouts soon, and I am considering joining as a leader, but I have a few reservations.
I was in a wonderful troop when I started in Scouting. Lots of outdoor activities, and lots excellent leadership. ...
We moved a couple of times over the next few years and I was in some pretty bad troops. ...
I have great memories of scouting, and I would love for my son to experience the good stuff I did see. Above that I want him to enjoy the process of learning and earning his way.
A good leader can help him do that, and I am encouraged by the comments here. It seems there are still some leaders that focus on discpline, good fundamentals and fun. From reading this forum I can see that I will have to shop around though. It looks like there are still those that ask the question "why so long to get Eagle?"

You are correct, there are some troops better than others, and some of that is because of the leaders in those troops.

The other thing to remember though, is that sometimes the experience is what you make of it. You and your son could be the difference that makes a mediocre troop into a good one. While you are there being a leader, you will be able to make sure the troop has good leadership and does what it should do. I would suggest that you go ahead and join as a leader, get your leadership training, and do your best to make the troop you join be the best troop you can.

[WVBeaver05]

I agree with some previous posts. The leaders can make a huge difference. Like the SM that didn't want to have you join.

I suggest that you go for it and help make your son's Troop the best it can be. And, I strongly suggest that you take all the training you can so you can do your best.

Welcome.

YiS

[ccmason]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

I have been reviewing some the information on the training programs available to leaders, and am pretty impressed. That would be exciting for me too!

And you guys are right. I should not just leave it to chance the troop leadership will be good. I should get involved so some young man trying to finish his Eagle will have someone on his side....

Thanks again

[Lynda J]

I think that sometimes they put things off just to drive us leaders CRAZY'ER.

[PPC_NYLT]

Not to beat an already beaten horse but, its the scout's responsibility and motivation that takes him to Eagle. I got my Eagle in Dec. of 2005 at my own pace. My parents never had to kick me in the rear until it came to planning my Eagle COH. I wanted to get my Eagle, I enjoyed getting there and I knew what it meant to get there. I've had friends whose parents earned them their Eagle when they didn't even want to be in scouting anymore. It is my opinion that if the scout want to get to Eagle his own motivation will get him there. If he feels his gf is more important than getting to Eagle, then so be it. Its his life let him make his own decisions.

[pipestone1991]

For some reason this group has just become very driven to complete their Eagles as soon as possible. And we had to push and prod really hard to get them to firast class in under 2 1/2 years!

Hey!....that's just like me!!!!!!!!!2 1/2 years to get first class and now all I need is two more weeks to finsih my Eagle project and then I have my SM conference!

[hacimsaalk]

well, i think other things get in the way. personally, i am within 3 mbs of eagle. i just havent really felt like doing it. lately i havent had time. i think thats the way with most older guys. they get jobs, girls, cars, other things they're interested in, etc. thats y its better to get it early.