WARNING: This post will have nothing to do with tea, but the subject matter is very close to my heart, and this is my website, so what I want goes…
This past Saturday I attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. This is basically a party to celebrate the young man who has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank, the highest honor that a Boy Scout can achieve.
Some background: My eldest son came home with a sticker on his shirt when he was in First Grade that said there was a Cub Scout Rally at the school later that night. He begged me to go, after all his cousin was in Cub Scouts and one of the friends in his class had an older brother in it as well. I can’t say “no” to that logic and off we went.
Twelve years later, my eldest son earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Two years before him, my middle son earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Hopefully in another two years, my youngest son will earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
When we were Webelos Scouts, Leah (the other Den Leader) and I, we had 12 boys cross-over, or transfer into a Boy Scout Troop from a Cub Scout Pack. Seven years later, we have had 5 of those boys earn their Eagle Rank, and in no more than 6 months, our 6th Scout will earn his rank. One of our Cub Scouts moved “up the road”, but that didn’t stop him, he has earned is Eagle rank as well.
What does this mean, and why are you telling me this?
Nationally, only 2% of boys who begin in Cub Scouts earn the rank of Eagle. 6% of boys who enter Boy Scouts will earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Leah (my Sister through Scouting) and I? We are at 50%. I may not brag on myself much, but those are some great numbers.
Back to the Eagle Court of Honor on Saturday. Watching this young man, who was one of Leah and my Tiger Cubs, at the podium talking about his years in Scouting made me realize how blessed I am, how blessed my family is for the Scouting program. During the program, they had 16 Eagle Scouts from our Troop there to help with the ceremony. Sixteen Eagle Scouts ranging from 2010 to a week ago (1 March 2017) helping with the Ceremony! It was amazing to see all of these young men, to know what their life has been like since they graduated high school and how they are doing in their college life, and in adulthood.
I know all the jokes about being a Boy Scout, acting like a Boy Scout and the “what are you, a Boy Scout?” accusations and all that. I know that from the ages of 12 – 14 the boys don’t want anyone to know that they are a Boy Scout. I get it. I mean, I have 3 sons, I get it. But I know that from the age of 16 and up, the don’t really care if you know because they get it and realize what Scouting has taught them and all the doors that it’s opened and will open for them.
I am blessed to be surrounded by adults who get it and want the best for their sons (and in Venturing’s case, their daughters too). I have seen shy boys who stand behind their mothers and refuse to participate in activities as Cub Scouts, grown into strong, vocal, charismatic leaders who, while may be opinionated, are gracious, genuine and (for the most part) humble.
Scouting does amazing things for these young men, but Scouting has done amazing things for me as well. I have a best friend who is like a sister to me, I have friends through Scouting that I would have never known or been friends with in real life, I have been able to participate in adult and youth leadership training and high adventure resource courses. But most of all, I feel that I have been able to be closer to my sons through Scouting. I have had adventures with my boys (and Richard) that I never would have had without Scouting. Plus, I have lots of boys now that I think of as part of my family.
Scouting has taught my kids that failing is part of life, it’s how we get up and proceed forward that make us who we are. After all, a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Photo Credit and a really great story: http://scoutingwire.org/how-this-81-year-old-man-joined-the-ranks-of-eagle-scouts/