Our Current Situation - Not thrilled

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

Tell me you know nothing about Scouts without saying “I know nothing about Scouts.”

So - to become an Eagle Scout a kid (boy or girl) does the following:

1. Joins a BSA troop. This can be done at any age from 11 to 17. Though if you join in your later teens you will not have time to make it to the Eagle rank.
2. Upon joining you learn some basic things and you are a “Scout”.
3. The next rank is Tenderfoot. To earn this rank a Scout needs to prep a backpack and tent for use on a camping trip and explain what you are bringing, and how it is used to a leader (explanations are typically an older Scout). Participate in an overnight camping trip. Sleep in a tent you pitched. Tell how you followed the Scout Outdoor Code during the trip. While on a camping cook you must assist in the preparation and cooking of a meal. Demonstrate and explain why it is important to properly clean all cooking materials. Demonstrate and explain when to use certain knots. Demonstrate and explain the proper care of a knife, saw and ax. Demonstrate and explain proper first aid for a specified listing of potential medical issues that could occur while camping and elsewhere. Identify poisonous plants and explain how to treat exposure. Assemble a first aid kit for yourself and explain when and how each item is to be used. Explain the use of the buddy system while hiking and use it on a troop hike. Explain what to do if you become lost on a hike. Explain the rules for safe hiking during the day and during the night. Record your best efforts in sit-ups, push ups, reach and 1 mile run. Develop and follow a fitness improvement plan that runs at least 30 days. Demonstrate and record your efforts again and note any improvements. Demonstrate how to raise, lower and fold the Flag. Participate in an approved service project. Teach another Scout how to tie a square knot using the Scout teaching methods. Have a Conference with troop leaders and explain how you tried to live the Scout requirements.

Congrats. You are now a Tenderfoot. The second of seven Scout ranks.

Let’s skip a head a bit. Past Second Class. Past First Class to earning Star Scout Rank. Those requirements are: Be a 1st Class Scout for at least 4 months (obviously can be much longer). Earn 6 merit badges, 4 must be Eagle Required Badges (these are ones that are pretty common Scout activities). Hold a troop leadership position for at least 4 months. Do at least 6 hours of approved volunteer service work. Complete the child abuse safety course, and cyber safety course. Participate in a review conference. Now you are a Star Scout. Sounds simple. However, let’s look at an Eagle Required Badge requirements. There are 18 required merit badges to make Eagle rank. The Cooking Merit Badge is one. What does it require?

There are 7 parts to the Cooking Merit badge. You can do them in any order. They will take a fair amount of time to complete - several months typically.

Part 1: Health and Safety. Learn and be able to explain the common safety issues in cooking, and explain how to treat or address them. This deals with cuts, burns, scalding, fire, how to use a fire extinguisher. Learn and practice how to properly address allergic reactions and choking with yourself and others. Learn and explain how types of food need to be safely stored and transported. Review and explain common food allergies and how to learn of potential issues from food labels.
Part 2: Nutrition. Learn and explain the food groups, serving sizes and calorie intact. Track your calorie intake and activity for 5 days. Develop a healthy 1 day meal plan for yourself. Learn and be able to discuss food nutrition terms and charts. Explain carbohydrates, calories and serving sizes. Discuss types of listed cooking methods, what pans and other equipment are used, what foods are cooked with each method. Discuss and demonstrate the use of a camp stove. Discuss the relative merits of camp stove cooking versus camp fire.

Sorry hit post way too early —

Describe how time management is used so meal components are created and a meal served at one time.

Part 4 Home Cooking - prepare menus for 3 days of 3 meals a day for you and at least one other. Explain how these menus meet the nutritional requirements. Explain what equipment is needed to prepare the meals. Shop for and Prepare one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner from your list. Review and discuss any errors and changes you would make.

Part 5 Camp Cooking. Plan and prepare 5 meals including 1 breakfast, 1lunch and 1 dinner and 1 snack or dessert (and two more meals) for your patrol (5-8 kids). Explain how each meal meets RDA requirements. Shop for and explain and demonstrate proper storage and handling of the food items. Cook 3 meals on a camp stove. Cook one meal over coals or with a Dutch oven. Cook one meal on a camp fire using foil packets or skewers. Explain and lead clean up after each meal in keeping with the Outdoor Code.

Part 6 Trail cooking. Plan and prepare 1 full days meals and snacks for your patrol (5-8 kids and an adult) while trail hiking. At least One meal must be done on a backpack stove. Review and shop for all ingredients. Explain the RDA and calorie requirements. Demonstrate safe handling of the food and equipment. Plan and Lead the distribution of carrying by pack the equipment and food.

Part 7 - Explore and discuss 3 careers on food handling and preparation. Select one and research the education and training for the career and explain it to your badge counselor.

Do all that and the prior post stuff and you have qualified for your cooking merit badge. Only at least 20 more to go. (Plus all the non-badge rank advancement stuff) and, of course, the Eagle project.

Excellent post! Thank you! $20 an hour college reader please take note!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

Tell me you know nothing about Scouts without saying “I know nothing about Scouts.”

So - to become an Eagle Scout a kid (boy or girl) does the following:

1. Joins a BSA troop. This can be done at any age from 11 to 17. Though if you join in your later teens you will not have time to make it to the Eagle rank.
2. Upon joining you learn some basic things and you are a “Scout”.
3. The next rank is Tenderfoot. To earn this rank a Scout needs to prep a backpack and tent for use on a camping trip and explain what you are bringing, and how it is used to a leader (explanations are typically an older Scout). Participate in an overnight camping trip. Sleep in a tent you pitched. Tell how you followed the Scout Outdoor Code during the trip. While on a camping cook you must assist in the preparation and cooking of a meal. Demonstrate and explain why it is important to properly clean all cooking materials. Demonstrate and explain when to use certain knots. Demonstrate and explain the proper care of a knife, saw and ax. Demonstrate and explain proper first aid for a specified listing of potential medical issues that could occur while camping and elsewhere. Identify poisonous plants and explain how to treat exposure. Assemble a first aid kit for yourself and explain when and how each item is to be used. Explain the use of the buddy system while hiking and use it on a troop hike. Explain what to do if you become lost on a hike. Explain the rules for safe hiking during the day and during the night. Record your best efforts in sit-ups, push ups, reach and 1 mile run. Develop and follow a fitness improvement plan that runs at least 30 days. Demonstrate and record your efforts again and note any improvements. Demonstrate how to raise, lower and fold the Flag. Participate in an approved service project. Teach another Scout how to tie a square knot using the Scout teaching methods. Have a Conference with troop leaders and explain how you tried to live the Scout requirements.

Congrats. You are now a Tenderfoot. The second of seven Scout ranks.

Let’s skip a head a bit. Past Second Class. Past First Class to earning Star Scout Rank. Those requirements are: Be a 1st Class Scout for at least 4 months (obviously can be much longer). Earn 6 merit badges, 4 must be Eagle Required Badges (these are ones that are pretty common Scout activities). Hold a troop leadership position for at least 4 months. Do at least 6 hours of approved volunteer service work. Complete the child abuse safety course, and cyber safety course. Participate in a review conference. Now you are a Star Scout. Sounds simple. However, let’s look at an Eagle Required Badge requirements. There are 18 required merit badges to make Eagle rank. The Cooking Merit Badge is one. What does it require?

There are 7 parts to the Cooking Merit badge. You can do them in any order. They will take a fair amount of time to complete - several months typically.

Part 1: Health and Safety. Learn and be able to explain the common safety issues in cooking, and explain how to treat or address them. This deals with cuts, burns, scalding, fire, how to use a fire extinguisher. Learn and practice how to properly address allergic reactions and choking with yourself and others. Learn and explain how types of food need to be safely stored and transported. Review and explain common food allergies and how to learn of potential issues from food labels.
Part 2: Nutrition. Learn and explain the food groups, serving sizes and calorie intact. Track your calorie intake and activity for 5 days. Develop a healthy 1 day meal plan for yourself. Learn and be able to discuss food nutrition terms and charts. Explain carbohydrates, calories and serving sizes. Discuss types of listed cooking methods, what pans and other equipment are used, what foods are cooked with each method. Discuss and demonstrate the use of a camp stove. Discuss the relative merits of camp stove cooking versus camp fire.

Sorry hit post way too early —

Describe how time management is used so meal components are created and a meal served at one time.

Part 4 Home Cooking - prepare menus for 3 days of 3 meals a day for you and at least one other. Explain how these menus meet the nutritional requirements. Explain what equipment is needed to prepare the meals. Shop for and Prepare one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner from your list. Review and discuss any errors and changes you would make.

Part 5 Camp Cooking. Plan and prepare 5 meals including 1 breakfast, 1lunch and 1 dinner and 1 snack or dessert (and two more meals) for your patrol (5-8 kids). Explain how each meal meets RDA requirements. Shop for and explain and demonstrate proper storage and handling of the food items. Cook 3 meals on a camp stove. Cook one meal over coals or with a Dutch oven. Cook one meal on a camp fire using foil packets or skewers. Explain and lead clean up after each meal in keeping with the Outdoor Code.

Part 6 Trail cooking. Plan and prepare 1 full days meals and snacks for your patrol (5-8 kids and an adult) while trail hiking. At least One meal must be done on a backpack stove. Review and shop for all ingredients. Explain the RDA and calorie requirements. Demonstrate safe handling of the food and equipment. Plan and Lead the distribution of carrying by pack the equipment and food.

Part 7 - Explore and discuss 3 careers on food handling and preparation. Select one and research the education and training for the career and explain it to your badge counselor.

Do all that and the prior post stuff and you have qualified for your cooking merit badge. Only at least 20 more to go. (Plus all the non-badge rank advancement stuff) and, of course, the Eagle project.

Excellent post! Thank you! $20 an hour college reader please take note!

Please stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

Tell me you know nothing about Scouts without saying “I know nothing about Scouts.”

So - to become an Eagle Scout a kid (boy or girl) does the following:

1. Joins a BSA troop. This can be done at any age from 11 to 17. Though if you join in your later teens you will not have time to make it to the Eagle rank.
2. Upon joining you learn some basic things and you are a “Scout”.
3. The next rank is Tenderfoot. To earn this rank a Scout needs to prep a backpack and tent for use on a camping trip and explain what you are bringing, and how it is used to a leader (explanations are typically an older Scout). Participate in an overnight camping trip. Sleep in a tent you pitched. Tell how you followed the Scout Outdoor Code during the trip. While on a camping cook you must assist in the preparation and cooking of a meal. Demonstrate and explain why it is important to properly clean all cooking materials. Demonstrate and explain when to use certain knots. Demonstrate and explain the proper care of a knife, saw and ax. Demonstrate and explain proper first aid for a specified listing of potential medical issues that could occur while camping and elsewhere. Identify poisonous plants and explain how to treat exposure. Assemble a first aid kit for yourself and explain when and how each item is to be used. Explain the use of the buddy system while hiking and use it on a troop hike. Explain what to do if you become lost on a hike. Explain the rules for safe hiking during the day and during the night. Record your best efforts in sit-ups, push ups, reach and 1 mile run. Develop and follow a fitness improvement plan that runs at least 30 days. Demonstrate and record your efforts again and note any improvements. Demonstrate how to raise, lower and fold the Flag. Participate in an approved service project. Teach another Scout how to tie a square knot using the Scout teaching methods. Have a Conference with troop leaders and explain how you tried to live the Scout requirements.

Congrats. You are now a Tenderfoot. The second of seven Scout ranks.

Let’s skip a head a bit. Past Second Class. Past First Class to earning Star Scout Rank. Those requirements are: Be a 1st Class Scout for at least 4 months (obviously can be much longer). Earn 6 merit badges, 4 must be Eagle Required Badges (these are ones that are pretty common Scout activities). Hold a troop leadership position for at least 4 months. Do at least 6 hours of approved volunteer service work. Complete the child abuse safety course, and cyber safety course. Participate in a review conference. Now you are a Star Scout. Sounds simple. However, let’s look at an Eagle Required Badge requirements. There are 18 required merit badges to make Eagle rank. The Cooking Merit Badge is one. What does it require?

There are 7 parts to the Cooking Merit badge. You can do them in any order. They will take a fair amount of time to complete - several months typically.

Part 1: Health and Safety. Learn and be able to explain the common safety issues in cooking, and explain how to treat or address them. This deals with cuts, burns, scalding, fire, how to use a fire extinguisher. Learn and practice how to properly address allergic reactions and choking with yourself and others. Learn and explain how types of food need to be safely stored and transported. Review and explain common food allergies and how to learn of potential issues from food labels.
Part 2: Nutrition. Learn and explain the food groups, serving sizes and calorie intact. Track your calorie intake and activity for 5 days. Develop a healthy 1 day meal plan for yourself. Learn and be able to discuss food nutrition terms and charts. Explain carbohydrates, calories and serving sizes. Discuss types of listed cooking methods, what pans and other equipment are used, what foods are cooked with each method. Discuss and demonstrate the use of a camp stove. Discuss the relative merits of camp stove cooking versus camp fire.

Sorry hit post way too early —

Describe how time management is used so meal components are created and a meal served at one time.

Part 4 Home Cooking - prepare menus for 3 days of 3 meals a day for you and at least one other. Explain how these menus meet the nutritional requirements. Explain what equipment is needed to prepare the meals. Shop for and Prepare one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner from your list. Review and discuss any errors and changes you would make.

Part 5 Camp Cooking. Plan and prepare 5 meals including 1 breakfast, 1lunch and 1 dinner and 1 snack or dessert (and two more meals) for your patrol (5-8 kids). Explain how each meal meets RDA requirements. Shop for and explain and demonstrate proper storage and handling of the food items. Cook 3 meals on a camp stove. Cook one meal over coals or with a Dutch oven. Cook one meal on a camp fire using foil packets or skewers. Explain and lead clean up after each meal in keeping with the Outdoor Code.

Part 6 Trail cooking. Plan and prepare 1 full days meals and snacks for your patrol (5-8 kids and an adult) while trail hiking. At least One meal must be done on a backpack stove. Review and shop for all ingredients. Explain the RDA and calorie requirements. Demonstrate safe handling of the food and equipment. Plan and Lead the distribution of carrying by pack the equipment and food.

Part 7 - Explore and discuss 3 careers on food handling and preparation. Select one and research the education and training for the career and explain it to your badge counselor.

Do all that and the prior post stuff and you have qualified for your cooking merit badge. Only at least 20 more to go. (Plus all the non-badge rank advancement stuff) and, of course, the Eagle project.

And you have not even touched on the Leadership experience or Service and involvement with the community of an Eagle Scout - which is obtained by about 6% of all scouts which also is reflective of their commitment over time - all things that are desired by AOs.

My Eagle Scout is in at the school of choice - that is all that matters.

[Anonymous]

Let's be practical folks. Eagle Scouts help run the country and always will -- that is why your daughter should be one. Sons also. The trolls that try to enrage everyone on this site are boy-haters and proponents of the only remaining discriminatory youth services organization in the US. Yes, that is the boy-hating GSUSA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's be practical folks. Eagle Scouts help run the country and always will -- that is why your daughter should be one. Sons also. The trolls that try to enrage everyone on this site are boy-haters and proponents of the only remaining discriminatory youth services organization in the US. Yes, that is the boy-hating GSUSA.

Come on, GSUSA are retrograde dorks, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

+1 While I used to have a lot of respect for what it took to become an Eagle Scout, I think it's a negative to associate with the BSA. Plus, it feels like many Eagle Scout projects are little more than collecting items for an existing charity. They don't involve making real change in the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

+1 While I used to have a lot of respect for what it took to become an Eagle Scout, I think it's a negative to associate with the BSA. Plus, it feels like many Eagle Scout projects are little more than collecting items for an existing charity. They don't involve making real change in the community.

None of the Eagle projects that my scouts were involved over many years with were existing charities and all involved projects in the community. I'm happy to see that the parents of scouts in this thread are taking the high road instead of disparaging other ECs or activities that other kids may choose to do.

[Anonymous]

Boy scouts/girl scouts is some kind of Cold War nonsense that no one cares about. Boy scouts is also like a JV NAMBLA. Everyone knows it takes a lot of time, but it is just not that interesting to most people in this century.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

Tell me you know nothing about Scouts without saying “I know nothing about Scouts.”

So - to become an Eagle Scout a kid (boy or girl) does the following:

1. Joins a BSA troop. This can be done at any age from 11 to 17. Though if you join in your later teens you will not have time to make it to the Eagle rank.
2. Upon joining you learn some basic things and you are a “Scout”.
3. The next rank is Tenderfoot. To earn this rank a Scout needs to prep a backpack and tent for use on a camping trip and explain what you are bringing, and how it is used to a leader (explanations are typically an older Scout). Participate in an overnight camping trip. Sleep in a tent you pitched. Tell how you followed the Scout Outdoor Code during the trip. While on a camping cook you must assist in the preparation and cooking of a meal. Demonstrate and explain why it is important to properly clean all cooking materials. Demonstrate and explain when to use certain knots. Demonstrate and explain the proper care of a knife, saw and ax. Demonstrate and explain proper first aid for a specified listing of potential medical issues that could occur while camping and elsewhere. Identify poisonous plants and explain how to treat exposure. Assemble a first aid kit for yourself and explain when and how each item is to be used. Explain the use of the buddy system while hiking and use it on a troop hike. Explain what to do if you become lost on a hike. Explain the rules for safe hiking during the day and during the night. Record your best efforts in sit-ups, push ups, reach and 1 mile run. Develop and follow a fitness improvement plan that runs at least 30 days. Demonstrate and record your efforts again and note any improvements. Demonstrate how to raise, lower and fold the Flag. Participate in an approved service project. Teach another Scout how to tie a square knot using the Scout teaching methods. Have a Conference with troop leaders and explain how you tried to live the Scout requirements.

Congrats. You are now a Tenderfoot. The second of seven Scout ranks.

Let’s skip a head a bit. Past Second Class. Past First Class to earning Star Scout Rank. Those requirements are: Be a 1st Class Scout for at least 4 months (obviously can be much longer). Earn 6 merit badges, 4 must be Eagle Required Badges (these are ones that are pretty common Scout activities). Hold a troop leadership position for at least 4 months. Do at least 6 hours of approved volunteer service work. Complete the child abuse safety course, and cyber safety course. Participate in a review conference. Now you are a Star Scout. Sounds simple. However, let’s look at an Eagle Required Badge requirements. There are 18 required merit badges to make Eagle rank. The Cooking Merit Badge is one. What does it require?

There are 7 parts to the Cooking Merit badge. You can do them in any order. They will take a fair amount of time to complete - several months typically.

Part 1: Health and Safety. Learn and be able to explain the common safety issues in cooking, and explain how to treat or address them. This deals with cuts, burns, scalding, fire, how to use a fire extinguisher. Learn and practice how to properly address allergic reactions and choking with yourself and others. Learn and explain how types of food need to be safely stored and transported. Review and explain common food allergies and how to learn of potential issues from food labels.
Part 2: Nutrition. Learn and explain the food groups, serving sizes and calorie intact. Track your calorie intake and activity for 5 days. Develop a healthy 1 day meal plan for yourself. Learn and be able to discuss food nutrition terms and charts. Explain carbohydrates, calories and serving sizes. Discuss types of listed cooking methods, what pans and other equipment are used, what foods are cooked with each method. Discuss and demonstrate the use of a camp stove. Discuss the relative merits of camp stove cooking versus camp fire.

Sorry hit post way too early —

Describe how time management is used so meal components are created and a meal served at one time.

Part 4 Home Cooking - prepare menus for 3 days of 3 meals a day for you and at least one other. Explain how these menus meet the nutritional requirements. Explain what equipment is needed to prepare the meals. Shop for and Prepare one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner from your list. Review and discuss any errors and changes you would make.

Part 5 Camp Cooking. Plan and prepare 5 meals including 1 breakfast, 1lunch and 1 dinner and 1 snack or dessert (and two more meals) for your patrol (5-8 kids). Explain how each meal meets RDA requirements. Shop for and explain and demonstrate proper storage and handling of the food items. Cook 3 meals on a camp stove. Cook one meal over coals or with a Dutch oven. Cook one meal on a camp fire using foil packets or skewers. Explain and lead clean up after each meal in keeping with the Outdoor Code.

Part 6 Trail cooking. Plan and prepare 1 full days meals and snacks for your patrol (5-8 kids and an adult) while trail hiking. At least One meal must be done on a backpack stove. Review and shop for all ingredients. Explain the RDA and calorie requirements. Demonstrate safe handling of the food and equipment. Plan and Lead the distribution of carrying by pack the equipment and food.

Part 7 - Explore and discuss 3 careers on food handling and preparation. Select one and research the education and training for the career and explain it to your badge counselor.

Do all that and the prior post stuff and you have qualified for your cooking merit badge. Only at least 20 more to go. (Plus all the non-badge rank advancement stuff) and, of course, the Eagle project.

Excellent post! Thank you! $20 an hour college reader please take note!

I'm not sure you understand the role of applications. It's the students' job to explain the rigor of their experiences, academic or not, not the role of the application reader to discern it based on one line in the application. This applies whether the reader is paid $20/hour or is the head of admissions. I read applications from Eagle Scouts who did an excellent job of relating their experiences and what they learned. I also read applications from Eagle Scouts who mentioned it in a perfunctory manner. Would you have wanted me to rate them the same?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

Tell me you know nothing about Scouts without saying “I know nothing about Scouts.”

So - to become an Eagle Scout a kid (boy or girl) does the following:

1. Joins a BSA troop. This can be done at any age from 11 to 17. Though if you join in your later teens you will not have time to make it to the Eagle rank.
2. Upon joining you learn some basic things and you are a “Scout”.
3. The next rank is Tenderfoot. To earn this rank a Scout needs to prep a backpack and tent for use on a camping trip and explain what you are bringing, and how it is used to a leader (explanations are typically an older Scout). Participate in an overnight camping trip. Sleep in a tent you pitched. Tell how you followed the Scout Outdoor Code during the trip. While on a camping cook you must assist in the preparation and cooking of a meal. Demonstrate and explain why it is important to properly clean all cooking materials. Demonstrate and explain when to use certain knots. Demonstrate and explain the proper care of a knife, saw and ax. Demonstrate and explain proper first aid for a specified listing of potential medical issues that could occur while camping and elsewhere. Identify poisonous plants and explain how to treat exposure. Assemble a first aid kit for yourself and explain when and how each item is to be used. Explain the use of the buddy system while hiking and use it on a troop hike. Explain what to do if you become lost on a hike. Explain the rules for safe hiking during the day and during the night. Record your best efforts in sit-ups, push ups, reach and 1 mile run. Develop and follow a fitness improvement plan that runs at least 30 days. Demonstrate and record your efforts again and note any improvements. Demonstrate how to raise, lower and fold the Flag. Participate in an approved service project. Teach another Scout how to tie a square knot using the Scout teaching methods. Have a Conference with troop leaders and explain how you tried to live the Scout requirements.

Congrats. You are now a Tenderfoot. The second of seven Scout ranks.

Let’s skip a head a bit. Past Second Class. Past First Class to earning Star Scout Rank. Those requirements are: Be a 1st Class Scout for at least 4 months (obviously can be much longer). Earn 6 merit badges, 4 must be Eagle Required Badges (these are ones that are pretty common Scout activities). Hold a troop leadership position for at least 4 months. Do at least 6 hours of approved volunteer service work. Complete the child abuse safety course, and cyber safety course. Participate in a review conference. Now you are a Star Scout. Sounds simple. However, let’s look at an Eagle Required Badge requirements. There are 18 required merit badges to make Eagle rank. The Cooking Merit Badge is one. What does it require?

There are 7 parts to the Cooking Merit badge. You can do them in any order. They will take a fair amount of time to complete - several months typically.

Part 1: Health and Safety. Learn and be able to explain the common safety issues in cooking, and explain how to treat or address them. This deals with cuts, burns, scalding, fire, how to use a fire extinguisher. Learn and practice how to properly address allergic reactions and choking with yourself and others. Learn and explain how types of food need to be safely stored and transported. Review and explain common food allergies and how to learn of potential issues from food labels.
Part 2: Nutrition. Learn and explain the food groups, serving sizes and calorie intact. Track your calorie intake and activity for 5 days. Develop a healthy 1 day meal plan for yourself. Learn and be able to discuss food nutrition terms and charts. Explain carbohydrates, calories and serving sizes. Discuss types of listed cooking methods, what pans and other equipment are used, what foods are cooked with each method. Discuss and demonstrate the use of a camp stove. Discuss the relative merits of camp stove cooking versus camp fire.

Sorry hit post way too early —

Describe how time management is used so meal components are created and a meal served at one time.

Part 4 Home Cooking - prepare menus for 3 days of 3 meals a day for you and at least one other. Explain how these menus meet the nutritional requirements. Explain what equipment is needed to prepare the meals. Shop for and Prepare one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner from your list. Review and discuss any errors and changes you would make.

Part 5 Camp Cooking. Plan and prepare 5 meals including 1 breakfast, 1lunch and 1 dinner and 1 snack or dessert (and two more meals) for your patrol (5-8 kids). Explain how each meal meets RDA requirements. Shop for and explain and demonstrate proper storage and handling of the food items. Cook 3 meals on a camp stove. Cook one meal over coals or with a Dutch oven. Cook one meal on a camp fire using foil packets or skewers. Explain and lead clean up after each meal in keeping with the Outdoor Code.

Part 6 Trail cooking. Plan and prepare 1 full days meals and snacks for your patrol (5-8 kids and an adult) while trail hiking. At least One meal must be done on a backpack stove. Review and shop for all ingredients. Explain the RDA and calorie requirements. Demonstrate safe handling of the food and equipment. Plan and Lead the distribution of carrying by pack the equipment and food.

Part 7 - Explore and discuss 3 careers on food handling and preparation. Select one and research the education and training for the career and explain it to your badge counselor.

Do all that and the prior post stuff and you have qualified for your cooking merit badge. Only at least 20 more to go. (Plus all the non-badge rank advancement stuff) and, of course, the Eagle project.

Excellent post! Thank you! $20 an hour college reader please take note!

I'm not sure you understand the role of applications. It's the students' job to explain the rigor of their experiences, academic or not, not the role of the application reader to discern it based on one line in the application. This applies whether the reader is paid $20/hour or is the head of admissions. I read applications from Eagle Scouts who did an excellent job of relating their experiences and what they learned. I also read applications from Eagle Scouts who mentioned it in a perfunctory manner. Would you have wanted me to rate them the same?

Yes. Absolutely. Well - at least as to their Scouting experience. For many kids BSA is their thing. Their group. It’s a good place for kids who have some difficulty fitting in other groups. They may not play a sport or an instrument. Their focus is on Scouting. So - that’s what appears in their applications. A kid who does Scouts and achieves the Eagle rank, and does other things - sports, jobs, art, music, whatever, is going to have more to discuss in an application. Frankly, every rational person would expect someone reviewing college applications to know what an Eagle Scout award means. Its only been around for over 100 years. But, for example, with my two kids who were Eagle Scouts, one focused on his competitive weightlifting and a programming job. The other emphasized his cliff jumping hobby and being the drummer in a rock band. (It’s pretty cool that kids can issue “albums” now like they did in the 60s. Why their songs have a 1,000 listens now on Spotify - which is basically all their friends and family members listened to it maybe as much as twice. Still - cool they wrote and recorded a dozen songs.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

+1 While I used to have a lot of respect for what it took to become an Eagle Scout, I think it's a negative to associate with the BSA. Plus, it feels like many Eagle Scout projects are little more than collecting items for an existing charity. They don't involve making real change in the community.

The bigotry and preachiness is on display is in this post for all to see.

[Anonymous]

Eagle Scouts are only seen as a significant achievement by people who are into scouts ..which is a fast declining minority. It’s not a particularly difficult rank to achieve as long as you don’t want to quit scouts. Decades ago the projects and community service aspect was unique but now it’s lackluster compared to what other top candidates are doing. It might carry more importance if the kid is applying to a military service academy but it’s non consequential for a good CS program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

+1 While I used to have a lot of respect for what it took to become an Eagle Scout, I think it's a negative to associate with the BSA. Plus, it feels like many Eagle Scout projects are little more than collecting items for an existing charity. They don't involve making real change in the community.

The bigotry and preachiness is on display is in this post for all to see.

Look, we all so the shocking trump jamboree with the braying idiot-boys in the crowd ( and the many former Eagle Scouts in his cabinet on stage not doing a single thing) so stuff it. BSA revolts me and I’m not alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let's be practical folks. Eagle Scouts help run the country and always will -- that is why your daughter should be one. Sons also. The trolls that try to enrage everyone on this site are boy-haters and proponents of the only remaining discriminatory youth services organization in the US. Yes, that is the boy-hating GSUSA.

Come on, GSUSA are retrograde dorks, too.

GS is really dorky and the curriculum sucks. I was a leader and was embarrassed to use it. When I was a GS growing up, it was so much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Scout is a very dated distinction. It doesn’t require anywhere near the mastery of skill that music, literary, sports or other competitive ECs require. It takes a time commitment to achieve it and the ability to impress a bunch of middle aged mediocre white men bestowing it. It’s a predominantly a white, male, Christian thing in suburban and rural areas. It used to be a way for middle class white boys to break into more elite schools.

Scouts is a pretty bigoted organization so someone dedicating their youth to achieve distinction within this organization is someone who either agrees with the bigotry or is peachy fine ignoring it because they were told the distinction would help open doors for them.

Tell that to Ashton Kutcher.