Leadership, planning, fore-handedness, teamwork, adventure, skills, exposure to many different people and views. Learning from mistakes in a relatively safe environment. Minimal cost, maximum benefit.Out of the more than 115 million boys who have passed through the Boy Scouts of America in the last 102 years, approximately two million have become Eagle Scouts, a 2% rate that has climbed to about 4% of all scouts in recent years. Some may have excelled in outdoor challenges and troop leadership, or while earning merit badges for oceanography and entrepreneurship. Yet all have been changed by the experience of what has been come to be called "the Ph.D. of Boyhood." And these Eagles in turn have changed the face of American culture in ways both obvious and unexpected.
Both my sons took the road from Tiger Cub to Eagle Scout - and that path shaped them in ways far beyond the power of parental influence.
Thanks to their Scout leaders and the other adults who believe in Scouting and help make it work.
It's a good thing.
"Be prepared"
Here's to the BSA and its Eagles and the first 100 years!
Great endorsement. I was at a Scout District Committee meeting in Nuernberg back in the late 70's and MG Wetzel addressed the adult leaders. To paraphrase, "I know what you guys are doing. And its something no one else seems to be doing. You're teaching Citizenship. They don't teach it in the schools, or churches, and sometimes not even in families! I sit in judgement at Court Marshals having to adjudicate the future of some 18, 19, or 20 year old who got into trouble because he didn't know how to be a part of a group. He didn't learn how to be a citizen. You guys teach that and I'll support you any way I can." And he did. I'll never forget that.
ReplyDeleteAs an Eagle Scout and Quartermaster Sea Scout who eventually garnered a Silver Beaver, a tip of the hat to Lord Baden-Powell and his brother, for launching of the World's first rate youth programs.
ReplyDeleteThere are statistics on how boys who stay three years in the program (and whether or not they attain Eagle) are less likely to take the "easy road," more likely to think of others, and more likely to seek worthy, long range goals.
An extraordinary number of astronauts were Eagle Scouts. Both Gates and Rumsfeld were Eagle Scouts.