Some motivational help needed here.
Whiting, Mark (MWHITING@APSC.COM)
Thu, 8 Jan 1998 15:02:47 -0700
Rick,
I have had very similar personal experiences. My youngest son is going
to his Eagle board tonight. He has 3 older brothers who are Eagles.
He too needed some motivation to keep going. Having been exposed to
scouting for so long he was a little tired of it a year or so ago. (
He will be 14 on Feb 1, 98). He was and is a great scout with good
instincts and conduct. We talked several times about things - about
how busy scouts keep him, not enough time for his friends, etc. I
tried (as you have it sounds) to not intimidate or dictate. I kept
reminding him of the benefits, I was honest about my desires for him,
I told him that accomplishing "his" goal of attaining Eagle would
allow him to slow down on some of his scouting activities and
involvement, etc. ( All his brothers have stayed active and the oldest
2 are soon to receive their silver palm)
(One avenue might be to offer some time off with less involvement in
scouting activities with the understanding that after a certain time
or event he will resume his trail.)
In the end it was his decision. I provided solid encouragement,
persistent and pointed. I am sure that some young men come to attain
Eagle despite completely neutral parents, guardians or active adult
encouragement.
It has been my experience that the vast majority of young men who
"make it" do so with much encouragement and active involvement for one
or more adults in their life. That adult can be the scoutmaster, a
father, a mother or any significant family member or friend.
I would note that I honestly try to equally encourage all young men in
our troop likewise. BUT without "family" making it a priority often
the scouting fire fades against the easy excitement of electronic
media and peers who don't understand.
It is up to us "the leaders" to infuse the program with their (the
boys) leadership and enthusiasm. This is progressively more difficult
(for me at least) as the boys reach the early teens. It is possible
though and when it happens its beautiful to behold. ;-)
Yours in Scouting,
Mark Whiting, SM T90 Litchfield Park, AZ.
Grand Canyon Council, Firebird District
mailto:mwhiting@apsc.com
or
mailto:MWhit48004@aol.com
.Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 14:29:59 -0500
.From: Rick Kendall <rick@SMX.CSC.COM>
.Subject: Some motivational help needed here..
.I could use some advice or direction. First some background. I
have
.two sons: Todd is soon to be 16, our SPL through this summer, Eagle
Scout
.and basically finished with scouting at the troop level. My second
son,
.Travis, is 13, First Class, an Assistant Patrol Leader, and has been
.involved in scouting since 1990 as a tiger cub. I was Travis' tiger
.partner, den leader, and ASM w/ the troop since Todd's Webelos
graduation..
Travis says he is tired of scouting and wants to quit.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
