Re: Eagle MB's
Steven G. Tyler (sgtyler@EROLS.COM)
Thu, 6 Aug 1998 15:58:12 -0400
Terry Slade wrote, in part:
> It really bothers me that some Scouts and their parents are
> worried about the new requirements coming out next year. Why
> should you just barely meet the requirements. I see so many
> scouts at their CoH's that just meet the 21 badges and no more. I
> love to see a scout so involved that when it comes time to earn
> their Eagle, they have 30 to 40 badges. Mine had 45 and boy were
> the young kids just joining impressed. The other two scouts at
> the CoH both had the minimum required and there was Michael
> with a full sash. He blew the requirements out of the water and
> now is on his fourth Palm. It kind of imbaressed the other two
> scouts and it should. Both were almost 18 years old and here
> was my kid at 15. Neither were members of the OA, mine was a
> Brotherhood member.
Terry, before you get all puffed up, consider another point of view:
perhaps the "bare minimum" Scouts just planned their advancement so that
they efficiently obtained the necessary badges, rather than taking a
scattershot approach that could let a Scout earn 30 or 40 badges before
they managed to complete the Eagle requirements. I've seen a lot of
"badge hounds" that earn a sheaf of MB's, but who neglect taking the
"hard" badges necessary for Eagle -- or Star or Life, for that matter.
>From that perspective, who's the better Scout?
I'm not commenting on your son, or for that matter on any Scout who
decides to pursue his interests to the neglect of the advancement
requirements -- if it works for the Scout, that's fine by me. Hovever, I
take mild offense at the way you've characterized the Scouts who earn
their Eagle with their 21st badge. Frankly, in the BOR's I strongly
encourage Scouts to consider the required badges, and to have a plan to
pursue *them*, as well as the "fun" ones.
> What are we teaching kids these days? Just do enough to get
> by...or...don't go any further than you have to. Is this how we
> want them to treat their job or life in general?
Frankly, with all that our Scouts have on their plates (academics,
sports, church activities, other interests), I think it's a useful skill
to be able to know what is sufficient, and to prioritize your activities
in a manner that allows participation in a number of arenas. I'm not
saying that we should train or encourage our Scouts to do the absolute
minimum, mind you, but again I don't think your blanket condemnation of
Scouts who may be trying to balance competing interests is entirely
fair.
--
YIS, Steve on Cattail Creek <Steven G. Tyler>, Severna Park, MD, USA
"The Computer Counselor," Technology Consulting for the Law Office
Advancement Chair and de facto Webmaster, Troop 339,
Baltimore Area Council, BSA (http://members.aol.com/troop339/)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
