What Would You Do?

[RWSmith]

You answered without answering.

No, I would not take the kid camping. With only 2 months left to finish merit badges that are not about campcraft, a campout is probably not the best use of this kid's time.

Are there kids that I can't wait to see turn 18? Oh yeah!

[scoutaholic]

... I still stick to my point that the council would boot him if notified.Unless LDS Troops have special rules when it come to things like this.

The boys good standing in the LDS church may be in question. That is primarily up to his Bishop, and depends on several things. The LDS church does believe in repentance, and does make allowances for having a past.

Regardless of the decision on his standing in the church, they are unlikely to even think of kicking him out of scouts or notifying the council.

Is your council really likely to remove a youth member because of a past that includes smoking, drinking, and girls? All things that are unacceptable at scouting events/activities, but not likely to land a kid in jail. (Granted, these things can get bad enough to land in jail, but don't usually start there.)

[wagionvigil]

I really think this goes furthur than those three. They have removed scouts for drug use firing a bb gun at a friend,assult etc.

[AquilaNegra2]

As an Eagle scout (Class of 64) we are expected to be the best of the best. Todays entitlement attitude just galls me. SUre if a kid messes up some you can give him some slack but in some cases no matter what is done it is too late. I was an educator for 35 years and in a position to recommend treatment expulsion etc. My attitude about a potential Eagle Scout is this if what they did could have or did lead to Jail Time they are off my help list. I do not want them compared to me or other Eagles. Becasue when they do finally do something and they probably will the first thing that will be said is he was an Eagle Scout.
I truly hope this young man has changed but experience tells me otherwise. I hope he proves me wrong. Now the option I would consider is getting in Venturing and working on he Ranger Award. He has until age 21 to prove himself.

ITA. Giving out Eagle because someone has stayed in Scouts until 18 cheapens the distinction. Eagle should be the top 5% (or less) of Scouts. Does this young man represent that? No. Or, at least, I hope not. Has Eagle Scout become just about checking off the boxes?

[cballman]

The problem with Eagle today is the parents who want little johnny to earn it but wont let the kid do it. I have seen Eagle scouts and then I have seen eagle scouts. Does it cheapen what I earned back in 1977? YES But when you have parents that the only goal is 1 child then I have a problem. I currently have about 40-50 children that I have to worry about in scouting. I have seen so many parents whine and cry because their kids are so lazy the wont even do anything unless mommy has told them to. When its now to a point that I am ready to leave scouting because of a few parents who want to see the minimal amount done for everything. Now what has the kids learned from that? NOT A DANG THING. What I cant wait to see is when these kids get out in the real world and fail because mommy or daddy cant help them now.

[wagionvigil]

I was dropping off a pair of the new scout pants to be hemmed at a ladies house Monday. We were talking and she said how nice it was that I was still oinvoilved in scouting and helping young people. SHe went on to say how good Eagle Scout looked on a job application,college application etc. MY response was yes it does but today that is one reason that parents push their son so hard to make Eagle and as soon as they get it you loose them from the Troop.
I heard a mom once tell her 15 year old son at his Eagle COH." Well you have that one done you never have to go to another scout meeting or camp out. We can concentrate on you sports now."
Did this scout deserve Eagle? On paper yes in his heart and in the hearts of all Eagles No!
I suggested to the Eagle Advancement Chair in our District a few years ago that we make sure that every Eagle BOR has at least one Eagle on it. It was met with opposition.

[Quailman]

I heard a mom once tell her 15 year old son at his Eagle COH." Well you have that one done you never have to go to another scout meeting or camp out. We can concentrate on you sports now."

An Eagle in my troop stayed active and was glad he did, because when he was filling out his college applications, after the question "Are you an Eagle Scout?" at least one asked "Are you still active in your troop?" I suspect many of the posters on this board of influencing the designer of that application.

[wagionvigil]

I know many Eagles that are very involved through and after college. Those are the Boys that just do it. No mom or dad interceding no complaining (no more than any teen). They are at the meetings and the campouts take part in the OA. They become MB counselors and sit on EBOR. Those are Eagles!

[lifescoutforlife]

I had a Scout Master tell me Eagle just isn't something you earn, it is something you are.

[wagionvigil]

How can we put that on an application?

[lifescoutforlife]

An Eagle Scout

True to his God and his Nation's Flag,
A boy whose loyalties never sag.
An adventurous sort of a rough, tough lad,
He'd share with anyone, all that he had.
He's cheerful and good, and he's filled with fun,
He always helps till the work is done.
No loafer is he, this young man with skill,
With his disciplined heart, mind and will.
He camps and cooks, he hikes and climbs,
He can sing a song or make a verse that rhymes.
He's a splendid youth with a lifetime goal,
He's the type of boy who's in control.
There's no better young man in this great land,
Than an Eagle Scout with a helping hand

[smtroop168]

Eagle Scout Challenge

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The foremost responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. He knows that "A Scout is trustworthy" is the very first point of the Scout Law for a good reason. An Eagle Scout lives honorably, not only because honor is important to him but because of the vital significance of the example he sets for other Scouts. Living honorably reflects credit on his home, his church, his troop, and his community. May the white of the Eagle badge remind you to always live with honor.

The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. His loyalty to his troop and brother Scouts makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load. All of these help to build the loyalty which means devotion to community, to country, to one's own ideals, and to God. Let the blue of the Eagle badge always inspire your loyalty.

The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage has always been a quality by which men measure themselves and others. To a Scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger, but the determination to stand up for the right. Trusting in God, with faith in his fellowman, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world's work to do. Let the red of the Eagle badge remind you always of courage.

The fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be cheerful. To remind the Eagle Scout to always wear a smile, the red, white, and blue ribbon is attached to the scroll of the Second Class Scout award, which has its ends turned up in a smile.

The final responsibility of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand to those who still toil up Scouting's trail, just as others helped him in his climb to the Eagle. The performance of the daily Good Turn takes on a new meaning when he enters a more adult life of continuing service to others. The Eagle stands as protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He will always "Be Prepared" to put forth his best.

You deserve much credit for having achieved Scouting's highest award. But wear your award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example. May the Scout Oath and the Scout Law be your guide for tomorrow and onward.

ENOUGH SAID!

[mt_goodrich]

Sometimes kids amaze me and show an understanding and grasp of things that sometimes, we as adults, don't.

Meeting with young man went very well. He asked his father not to attend and to let him "own up" to his mistakes.

I, the Advancement person and this young man, spoke for about 45 minutes. Young man stated that he does not deserve to be an Eagle Scout and that he had no doubt that he could complete the remaining requirements if he had some more time. But he cannot complete the requirements for Personnel Management MB and he stated that for the Hiking MB, he didn't feel he actually did what was necessary. Also, he is busy with SATs and other school work and he would not be able to dedicate what was needed to do an Eagle project that would be worthy.

He then said there was still the fact that he has not been living the Scout Oath and Law. Said he had no one to blame but himself and he needed to start taking responsibilities for his own actions. He also said that it wouldn't be fair to the other boys in the troop and those who were already Eagle Scouts.

He said he knew better than to run with the crowd he had, but there was a girl he liked and thus, where he problems began. Said girl was smart enough to see the crowd for what it was and decided to find a better group of friends. He said apparently he wasn't smart enough and stuck with them and did the things he shouldn't.

He said that he is not running with the same crowd anymore and is actually hanging out with two of the guys from Church. Said he should have come talk to us sooner after he got back from his "trip away", but was too embarrassed to come to us and avoided the whole subject.

He asked with the remaining two or so months left, if he could still come to Scouts. Said it would keep him busy and maybe he could help out where needed. He said he always enjoyed Scouting and I almost lost it when he said "maybe if I had you as a Scoutmaster sooner, things would have been different. You are really cool and you know what you are doing. Most of the other Scoutmasters were here just to be here".

I hope this young man is on the right path. I feel bad for him, but glad he understands what Eagle Scout means and it is more than just checking off boxes.

[Quailman]

...He said he always enjoyed Scouting and I almost lost it when he said "maybe if I had you as a Scoutmaster sooner, things would have been different. You are really cool and you know what you are doing. Most of the other Scoutmasters were here just to be here"...

I almost lost it when I read that. Great story!

[cballman]

When you hear stories like this it makes you feel like you have treated the kids right. I hop that I can be told the same thing one of these days. Mike for a person to say that to you showed me a lot of class. I hope that you can help out this young man in his future. If he has changed then YOU have a great resource that you might be able to use as a ASM.

Congratulations on this

[wagionvigil]

This young man is a prime candate for Venturing. Get him going in a crew.

[smtroop168]

It's good to hear he's back on the path. Eagle is great but straightening himself out is more important.

Wagion is right...maybe he can be one of those youth that earn the highest award in Ventures!

[FieldSports]

Mike,

Fantastic outcome! But I do disagree with the Scouts assessment. He is an Eagle candadite material. Corrected his behavior, was remorseful, and took ownership to fix it. Great to hear he has you as a Scoutmaster, who cares . Some on this board wanted to kick him out of the Scouting and would not even take him camping. Shame on them.

You have a young man who will succeed and add value to your program. A prime example of turning boys into men one scout at a time.

[wagionvigil]

FS I will never be Burned by a kid again sorry. Been there and had a bad experience. Until you have walked in my shoes never ever tell me shame on me. I will stand by what I said earlier due to having experienced it.

[FrankJ]

In this case I think the scout learned more not getting the eagle. The point of the program is to teach scouts to make moral & ethical choices, not make rank. It looks like Mike might have succeeded.