opusdork

Now, just what was the original post?! scouting values never go out of style and Scouting helps build self-esteem and keeps youth positively involved in the community... (I enjoy how these dialogues go all around)

Ramos appears to be putting to good use many of the values of scouting, he has elected to do his national service and also intends on returning to his community in a service role. That is a credit to scouting and the people who make the program a success. My Eagle (2003) scout son has made the same choice and ships out with the Marines in a month. He is currently trying to get his scouts to finish up their outstanding merit badges with him before he deploys.

There are parts of scouting that I disagree with, but scouting and the people putting a program together have done a fine job for my three Eagle sons and I'm thankful for what they have shared with my family and taught my sons. Whether we agree with all of the aspects of scouting or not, many of these boys take the positive values of scouting away with them and use those skills.

We encourage them to stay involved as adult scouters - and get them registered as an "adult." They enjoy being on the "other side" - the decision making process and knowing that the adults suddenly have to treat them with respect. Their relationship with the boys in the troop changes, ususally slowly, but in accordance with scout policies. The 18 year olds have a great opportunity to learn new leadership skills in this transitional stage, and most importantly, we keep these kids active in scouting. Most of our 18 year olds relish the new opportunities that open to them in scouting at this age.

My son was our first 18 year old that stayed active in scouting in our troop. We were doing our introductions at the troop meeting (for new parents/scouts), the adults were introducing themselves, and my son's turn came, and he said "you can call me, Mr. ---" After a startled pause and open mouths, my husband continued the introductions with "and I'm Mr. ---, Sr." It set the stage and made it clear to everyone that our son's role had changed. He has stayed active for almost three years, and actually schedules his college classes to leave scout nights free.

And make sure these boys also get their Eagle knots at their Court of Honors. That makes a huge difference.

When you all get settled back in, and whenever that may actually happen, what can we (in the North ) do to help you and your Troops get restocked?

We have been waiting until we have direct contact with some of you scouts down south before we begin organizing anything. But we have a lot of scouts that have been asking how we can help.

E- Hang in there.

Our oldest Eagle completed his BOR 3 weeks prior to his 18th birhday, but he had wanted to be an Eagle since he was 6 years old. The project never slowed him down, just some of the adult scouters who didn't always behave in a scoutly manner. But he EARNED his Eagle. Did we have the talk? many times, everything seemed to come back to "When are you going to get your Eagle done." His response always was, "I'll get it done." He did. Now he is in college and helps out the troop when he has time. He is also the only adult scouter we have who is an Eagle, and he wears his knot.

Our second Eagle, the son we never thought would be interested in doing an Eagle project, decided out of the blue this March to do his Eagle, presented the project, and started it and completed his BOR in July. Never once did we give this son the talk - he was smart enough not to let us ask that question of him, always telling us first, "I'm too young to do my Eagle and I have 5 more years." Surprise. I can't believe how much sod, dirt & woodchips can be moved by young teenage males, in a four week period. He is now free, no Eagle pressure hanging over him, he has been elected SPL and he is having a blast trying to make some changes to his Troop.

Our youngest scout is just 13, and has been a Life for a while (it helps when your older brothers have merit badges to finish and you get dragged along as the "second scout"- frequently he finished those merit badges before his older brothers did). Anyway, they asked him at his Life BOR when he was going to start his Eagle - his response "I'm not old enough." He has also stated he is not ready to lead a project. And surprisingly, he has said that he wants to wait until he can do a project that he feels is worthy of being an Eagle project. The scouts know who earns an Eagle and who just gets one handed to them. This child wants to earn his Eagle. I respect that.(I also know that my son doesn't want to be accused of not doing enough to earn an Eagle, we have another boy who is now a 13 yr old Eagle, his parents did his project, wrote the report and shoved it through, and it was approved by the CC, not by those of us on the board - in fact we rejected it) If our son chooses not to do his Eagle, the world will not end, there will be no shame. If he spends the next 5 years in scouting just learning to be a better scout, we will be very proud of him.

So, for your son, who feels that many of the scouts may not really "earn" their Eagle, remind your son that if he does a project that he knows is worthy of an Eagle project, he will have earned his Eagle and everyone who is important in his life will also know that and respect him. A good scout will earn his Eagle. OJ still has time, but as a parent, you and SWMBO know that time is slipping away. Have a talk with him, ask him what he needs from you, it may just be the moral support of having his folks there for him, whatever his decision. Eagles are hard to earn for a reason. If OJ were not your son, just another scout, what would you council him to think about? I think Eagles are hardest for parents to suffer through, we have to walk a very thin line on letting our children grow. Talk to him, this is important, help him find the direction he needs to make a decision. If he decides not to do his Eagle, you and your wife will know that you have done your best and will then be able to support his decision. And you will know he made the right decision for himself.

Good luck!

Keep me updated - we could use 8 if the right sizes