bt5eagle

Thanks for all the great suggestions and for being reoriented towards what is best for the scout reaching his Eagle. We will take this issue to the parents and the scouts and let them decide how they want their COH. Part of the problem with putting on multiple COH's is that in the past, the troop (i.e. Scoutmaster) did all planning and prep work for an Eagle COH. The way to avoid being overwelmed seems to be to get the parents of the Eagle involved and have them share the planning and arrangements.

Our troop currently has a dilemma. Two scouts completed their Eagle BOR and the committee began planning one COH to award both the scouts their eagle. These two scouts have been friends since they first joined the troop and had their eagle BOR on the same day. (One of the scouts is my son, and I am the Scoutmaster). The troop committee discussed it and felt it was natural to have them both celebrate their awards at the same ceremony. Both have graduated high school and are at colleges that are nearby, so we will have to work the date around their school schedules.

The problem is that the parents of the other scout have made it clear that they want their son to have a separate ceremony for their scout. They have started calling around to the committee members to lobby for support for two COHs. I proposed that they come to the next committee meeting and make a proposal for their COH. They have agreed, however I am sure they will dig their heels in. I am of course concerned that this situation will turn a very positive situation into hurt feelings and upset leaders. Any suggestions? What have other troops done when faced with planning COHs for multiple eagles?

A little background info: we are a fairly large troop of 50 scouts of which 19 are life scouts. Many are working hard on their eagles and we expect several of these to complete their eagle in the next 6-12 months. The troop has never been in this situation before. It is a nice dilemma to have to see so many reach eagle, but I am concerned about being overwhelmed with holding Eagle COH's if they are all done on an individual basis.