RFC

I went with my son's troop to Philmont during the forest fires, so there were no showers except at base camp. 13 days of hiking, 6,000 feet of climbing per day. My back pack was 65 pounds and left bruises on my shoulders. I could have made it much lighter if I could have dumped some of the BSA required cookware.

Psimet2001 

I was in scouting even at 18. I missed a couple of years so I had to play cath-up and ended short of my Eagle due to timing. so.....life scout. If you asked my scout master he would have said, "Welll....Rob didn't get his Eagle because he discovered cars and girls." I would concur.

I helped many others attain their Eagle. Some of the best experiences of my life.

I stayed on as an Assistant Scout master when I turned 18 and would participate today if it wouldn't be considered weird for a guy without a son in the troop to be helping out. unfortunately that's how you get on lists these days and who needs that.

I will volunteer when my son gets old enough to join.

APKjuniorFL

I'm working on it...I'm a life scout.
But I'm 16 so I have a little time to finish up project / merit badges.

Psimet2001 

Be careful...you're about to discover cars and women. Those last 2 years can fly by.

rob!

Scouting was one of those things I wish I could have stuck with; but my troop was very new, small, and not very active. Plus the troop master was a Marine and rather mean to the kids who weren't in tip top shape.

I kicked ass in cub scouts though

RFC

As an assistant SM in AZ, I pushed a couple of 17-year-olds real hard to beat the 18th birthday deadline and we succeeded by a bare few weeks.

As far as I'm concerned, you qualify. Enjoy scouting with your son. I've now been through scouting twice and I think that's enough.

Hammertoe

So true...

My parents would not let me get my drivers license until I finished up my Eagle...

They were right...

As soon as I got my license, Boy Scouts took a back seat...

sirious94

just made eagle a few weeks ago. woot!

pgsandiego

I was fast-tracking to my Eagle when working/car/girls distracted me for a time. Fortunately, a Scoutmaster called me about a year before I turned 18 and pushed me to finish it up. I finished up with a few weeks to spare.

I wish I'd have built something on my project. Seeing a visual reminder years later would be pretty cool. I'd imagine the fire-trail I organized clearing has been re-cleared many times through the years so it isn't quite the same.

I don't remember any debates or exclusionary problems back in the early 80's and it always troubles me a bit when I hear of them now. Scouting should be above all the liberal/conservative junk. The kids will deal with enough of that when they're older. Let them enjoy being kids.

BarracksSi

Let's see if I can remember the oath (although I can't remember if it's the one for Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts!)...

I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, to help all people, ... and something about the Pack.

Okay, so it was Cub Scouts. I don't remember much beyond that.

I don't know where my Totin' Chip is, but I remember everything we were taught when we got it. I still ask people if they have theirs when I see them mishandling a knife.

I pretty much gave up Scouting once I got into music. That's not to say I didn't like it, though. My parents got involved seemingly without batting an eye -- my mom was a den mother and my dad was a Troopmaster of some kind. One of the more memorable camping trips was when my dad took us on a hike of about 15 miles, going out of the park area and into the town where he spent his high school years.

My sister was a Brownie, too. I don't think she continued into Girl Scouts.

If I have a kid, I'd like to see him/her do it.

SegFault

Well done! I found that Scouting became even more enjoyable after getting Eagle; instead of focusing on Eagle requirements (badges, etc) I could spend my Scouting time doing far more interesting activities.

pabuck

Eagle Scout, 1992. My parents also said I had to have my rank before they'd let me get my license, but they relented when I planned my project (restoring fences, trails, etc in historic Bethania). I went to Philmont in 1990, was also a member of the OA, but got tapped in right before I aged out.

Same here. Usually a teriffically violent game of british bulldog. I don't recall any broken bones, but blood wasn't uncommon. I don't think you can get away with that stuff anymore

bigtea

To answer your questions, no. But he grew up in a different time and place than me. I was raised in the rural midwest. He was raised in urban California. Soccer did teach him the communication skills, leadership, confidence, and sensitivity to travel the world and live comfortably in other countries with diverse ethnicities.

DiabloScott

So why don't you upstanding Eagle Scouts get involved with BSA administration at the national level and get these policies changed? USA seems to be the only country where non-heteros and non-theists are excluded.

For example, in contrast to the BSA's policy, *****exuals are not restricted from membership or leadership positions in Scouts Canada and most European associations, including The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, Ring deutscher Pfadfinderverbände of Germany (German Scout Federation), and the Swedish Guide and Scout Association; all are WOSM members.[40][41][42] In countries where *****exuality is legal, there is usually at least one Scouting association that allows *****exuals as members and leaders[citation needed].

"Duty to God" is a principle of worldwide Scouting and WOSM requires its member National Scout Organizations to reference "duty to God" in their Scout Promises (see WOSM Scout Promise requirements). Scouting associations apply this principle to their membership policies in different ways. The Boy Scouts of America takes a hard-line position by excluding atheists or agnostics from membership. Scouts Canada defines "duty to God" broadly in terms of "adherence to spiritual principles" and does not have any explicit policy excluding non-theists.[43] According to the Equal Opportunities Policy of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom:

bryceepoo

I too am an Eagle Scout. Interesting fact... I've struggled whether to have that anywhere on my resume for years. I came back last year to get my MBA and this fall I got an interview with a large Investment Bank specifically because I had that award. The interviewer told me something along the lines that they like seeing things like that because it shows I wasn't just out messing around all through my teen years. Little do they know...

Gotcha38

Eagle Scout signing in.

sirious94

oh well i'm 18 now
Yay Procrastination!

spry

Do you guys in knee socks come to the house selling those cookies?
I really like those coconut macaroons.

CrimsonKarter21

I never made it past Bear. I found out that we weren't building a tree house, like the pamphlet pictured and I GTFO.

Run2Wheels

'NERDS! NERDS NERDS NERDS NERDS NERD!'


Um Frederick I believe he is talking about me

Eagle '98

Treefox

My parents got concerned about the militarism of it, then pulled me out when one of the scout masters was accused of putting his fingers where he shouldn't have.

And these days the LDS hold on scouting social policy is quite worrisome to me.

I got much more 'character' and team work out of after-school outdoor ed in high school.

downtube42

I went through Cub Scouts and Webelos, bridged to Boy Scouts, and quit after one meeting. Hazing was the practice then, and I did not care to return. None of my Webelos class stayed with Scouts.

Twenty years later I found myself being a Cub Scout leader with my son, and eventually a Boy Scout leader. I've helped about a dozen young men reach Eagle, including my son. Bummer that I didn't get that great Scouting experience as a kid, but as an adult I've had a great time.

RidingMatthew

Congratulations, It opens doors and speaks to many who have been involved with the Boy Scouts about your character and determination.

Eagle Scout Feb 2003 2 Silver palms and one bronze.
Life Member of NESA
Order of the Arrow (Brotherhood)

Worked a Boy Scout camp for 4 summers through high school/ college. One of the best jobs/ experiences I have ever had.

One of my favorite merit badges BICYCLING!

Jake the Snake

Eagle Scout 1981, here.

Treefox

My wife's parents pulled her from the Girl Guides because they worried she was being taught to be a housewife.