Eagle Solution

[skeptic 990]

Since there seems to be so many with ideas as to why Eagle is not what it once was, lets have different levels. Perhaps:

 

Basic requirements: 21 merit badges. Cooking required, but variants for level of Eagle. Still require basics, e.g. first aid, swimming or alternates, lifesaving or emergency prep, 3 citizenships, personal management. Personal fitness would have options to fit the level.

 

URBAN EAGLE: No outdoor requirements, but more focus on everything urban. Would require learning to cook, but only in a kitchen. Project would be city focused. PF option would be very minimal. Would need to earn one badge from either public health, safety, or fire safety, sort of like the old groupings from the 50's.. New mb for cell phone communications required, or optionally, computers.

 

CAMP EAGLE: All of Urban Eagle requirements, plus outdoor requirements that could be gotten in drive-in or summer camp settings. Charcoal cooking or large gas stoves for the cooking requirement in addition to above. Could sleep in cabins, or pre-pitched tents. Would earn a special "drive-in camping" merit badge with a car and tent; would need 20 nights, but include all summer camp. Project could be urban or other. PF option would be moderate.

 

WILDERNESS EAGLE: All the previous two plus: Camping only in back country settings. Cooking with backpack stoves or wilderness acceptable fires only. Backpacking, pioneering, wilderness survival, and orienteering (with GPS inclusion with basic) all required. Project would be in the wilderness. All of the above, plus camping would be only in tents carried and pitched by themselves; and would be 25 nights, with only one long-term camp allowed. Back country first aid would be a requirement. PF would be strenuous.

 

WILDERNESS EAGLE w/CROSSED PADDLES: Same as Wilderness Eagle, but also require canoeing, and whitewater merit badges. Project would focus on wild rivers, or back country lakes.

 

So, would that make most people happy??? LOL

[Eagle92 110]

[sarcasm on]FUNNY[sarcasm off]. I think Eagle has lost some of it's meaning for several reasons.

 

1)The First Class First Year emphasis as if scouting is a race.

 

2)Return to some of the more challenging skills.

 

3)Reintroduce time limits i.e. pre 1991 requirements, for all ranks.

 

4)Reintroduce some of GBB's methods into both scout and scouter training.

 

Upon reflection, the units that are really succeeding in my district are the ones led either led by old time scouters or who grew up with them as scouts.

 

[boomerscout 35]

for Urban Eagle ---> Wilderness Survival M.B.: using your Scouting skills, show how to make a shelter for a homeless person living in the downtown area. You may only use materials found in a typical dumpster. Explain how you would improve the shelter if below freezing temps are predicted. Spend one night in this shelter.

[red feather 10]

LOL!!!!!!!

 

thanks I needed that

 

yis

 

red feather

[desertrat77 1144]

Skeptic,

 

Great list, one small recommended addition:

 

EAGLE WITH APRON STRING DEVICE IN LIEU OF TRADITIONAL WIRE KNOT: Same requirements as basic Eagle, but recipient's Dearly Beloved Mother must have completed at least 51% of the requirements herself. This includes orchestrating entire Eagle project; contacting MB counselors everyday to set up appointments for her scout, as well as secretly preparing all written projects and doing all other work excluding that which must be performed by the scout himself as witnessed by the counselor; buying all the food for campouts when her son was patrol leader; and any other activity that reflects the contrast between Mom's desire for Eagle and Johnny's lack of concern.

 

The Apron String Device will be tied to the bottom of the scroll where the wire knot is normally found, and will be of sufficient length to at least partially cover the Eagle pendant. Additional Apron Strings of various colors may be added for the following achievements by Mom:

 

- Endless badgering of the SM over anything that makes Johnny look less than perfect

- Ruthless public and private criticism of troop leadership without actually assuming an official role herself

- Loitering in the back of every scout meeting. Small breaks for phone calls and smokes are permitted.

- Organizing and executing an over-blown Eagle Ceremony that resembles a coronation

[Hal_Crawford 15]

OMG. I think you guys are on to something. Apron Strings Eagle (ASE) would be awarded a lot in our area (one mom hired day laborers from in front of Home Depot to do her son's Eagle project).

 

For Urban, Camping and ASE all merit badges would be on line.

 

Hal