How challenging to be eagle scout?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not hard

+1

Have relative who has been a long-term Scout Master or whatever the head of the program is called. Earning Eagle Scout status takes a lot of time and probably means that the scout has no other ECs. Most of the kids whom I saw have very little if any athletic talent. None had girlfriends--so lots of free time.

Really? The Eagles in our Troop, we have multiple kids complete the rank each year, are involved in varsity sports or drama or band or a series of other activities. None of the Eagles in our Troop are doing only Scouts. Many Scouts aim for a summer project because they have time away from their school based activities. It is all about time management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not hard

+1

Have relative who has been a long-term Scout Master or whatever the head of the program is called. Earning Eagle Scout status takes a lot of time and probably means that the scout has no other ECs. Most of the kids whom I saw have very little if any athletic talent. None had girlfriends--so lots of free time.

Really? The Eagles in our Troop, we have multiple kids complete the rank each year, are involved in varsity sports or drama or band or a series of other activities. None of the Eagles in our Troop are doing only Scouts. Many Scouts aim for a summer project because they have time away from their school based activities. It is all about time management.

Yeah, that person is probably the person from the other thread calling Scouts losers. I don't know what their issue is, but their stereotype is not representative of the scouts I see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not hard

+1

Have relative who has been a long-term Scout Master or whatever the head of the program is called. Earning Eagle Scout status takes a lot of time and probably means that the scout has no other ECs. Most of the kids whom I saw have very little if any athletic talent. None had girlfriends--so lots of free time.

Probably true but it’s a decent hook for college and way cheaper than travel sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eagle is about persistence and growth. The merit badges are probably the easiest part, you just have to decide to complete them. It takes time and some discipline but they are not hard. There are no tests assocaited with them. The pamphlets are now available online so you have the resource you need for completing most of the MB. Scouts in the DMV area are noramlyl able to knock out most merit badges at summer camp. Most Troops in this area have counselors for all the Eagle required merit badges in the Troop. There are merit badge classes offered through rec centers and programs in this area.

There is a check list that you need to complete for each rank. It takes time but it is more about following the checklists.

Leadership is the most time-consuming part of ranking up, you will need to serve in a leadership position for at least 15 months. What this means can be Troop dependent. In our Troop, the scouts in leadership positions are responsible for planning meetings and camping trips. They learn a lot about how to think about what goes into planning a meeting and what goes into planning a trip.

The hard part of earning Eagle is having access to the merit badges you need, this is a big challenge for kids in various parts of the country but not an issue in the DMV, and the persistence to complete the steps. The Eagle project can be hard for a Scout but is doable if they leave themselves enough time.

Really. I earned eagle (and had many friends do as well) in a small rural southern town. Maybe hard for inner city, is that the implication?

[Anonymous]

It is achievable. It is a lot of work. Starting early helps. Many troops will setup occasions where most/all of the troop together will earn some merit badge.

There are stages below Eagle Scout, example Life Scout. Those also are worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

DS is in the process right now, and one thing he's focused on is getting through as much as possible in middle school before the demands of high school come along. It seems very doable, especially with summer camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is in the process right now, and one thing he's focused on is getting through as much as possible in middle school before the demands of high school come along. It seems very doable, especially with summer camp.

This is a good strategy and worked well for DS. Plus those are great years to spend a lot of time camping and hiking and doing volunteer work like Scouting for Food and all the other community service your troop may do (ours mostly does trail work and outdoor service projects).

But our troop doesn’t Eagle kids until about 16 or so, so you still have to be involved in high school.

Your DS may find the leadership parts hard or he may grow into them by the time they’re expected. Would be a great setting to try it out and see.

If executive function is an issue, you may need to be involved heavily along the way. And maybe attend scout camp in the summer. Scouting gives kids a lot of opportunities for independence so maybe you want to provide scaffolding along the way.

[Anonymous]

It's supposed to be very challenging. That's why it's a read distinction.
Talk about burying the lede...the neurodiverse diagnoses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is in the process right now, and one thing he's focused on is getting through as much as possible in middle school before the demands of high school come along. It seems very doable, especially with summer camp.

Our troop operates like this unofficially, most kids are trying to finish requirements through middle school and then they make Eagle at 15 or 16. My DS is 11, and I think it'll be an uphill battle for him because his weekends are full of sports. Meanwhile, his friend who has basically no other ECs can fulfill requirements just because he's always available to attend all activities. BUT the kids have to want to advance too - and that means somethings going to campouts or meetings without your friends.