The Journey to Eagle

I've been a spectator and mentor of Scouts over the past 25 years, during which I've observed young boys begin their trek on the Scouting path, and a few complete their path with the Eagle Scout. I've observed young men, often pushed by well meaning parents to complete the rank of Eagle Scout as quickly as possible. And then I've seen other young men methodically approach the honored achievement at their own pace. I'll state now that I prefer the later.

The race to Eagle seems to mirror our societies propensity for immediate gratification. I served for several years in the 90's on Eagle Boards of review for my district. A Scout at 13 when asked what the most important point of the Scout law is to him, will give a much different answer then at 17. The Scout Handbook is a two dimensional construct, yet the one key component we often forget, the third dimension that we as leaders are there to nurture; is emotional and intellectual maturity and to provide experience. It takes time to digest new experiences and formulate one's own understanding of the world.

The path to Eagle is not a bucket list to be checked off, and as I've grown as a leader on my own Scouting path, I've come to believe that attainment of the Eagle Scout is not the goal, but the honor that comes from completing the path you set for yourself.

Being an Eagle Scout requires you to be different than most everyone around you, and being different is really, really hard. That’s why the award is called “an accomplishment.”                   ~ Mike Rowe

I'm now getting to enjoy my son's effort in completing his Eagle Project. Yes, he has only a few months before he turns 18 and one could criticize me for not pushing him earlier. But he'll finish with a few months to spare. He needed to want it for himself - otherwise he'd only be fulfilling my dream, not his own. As I observe him in action, leading the Scouts of his troop, I see a thoughtfulness that only comes with age and maturity. The quality and purpose of the work is evidence of the consideration that comes with knowing the impact you want to create.

Adrian's Eagle Project