How to become an Eagle Scout
How I did it: When
I was 12 years old I joined Boy Scout Troop 410 which was one of the many troops near my home. As a member of Troop 410 I attended weekly
meetings with the troop where I would participate in a lesson or
activity planned by the adult leaders and older scouts. These
activities were designed to teach me a skill that would help me progress towards the rank of Eagle Scout. Whether the skill being
taught was revealed at the start of the meeting and then practiced
directly, (knot tying), or hidden in the activity and revealed later,
(using carpet squares as "stepping stones" and trying to
cover a certain distance) I left every meeting having a slightly
better sense of exactly what was required to progress through the
ranks and eventually reach Eagle.
benefit of my membership in Troop 410 were the campouts that came
around every month. The campouts served as the real-world test to see
where the scouts stand in their progress and which scouts seem to
naturally take control of activities such as setting up stoves or
tents. Campouts also provided me with the opportunity to strengthen
the bonds between the scouts in my troop and patrol, after having
been on many campouts with Troop 410 I can honestly say that some of
my fellow scouts have become brother-like and are I know that they
will be there to help me if necessary.
is but a taste of the scouting program. It would be near impossible
for me to describe all of the fine details of the scouting program
and still manage to keep your attention. In summary, Look for a troop
in your area, many troops are sponsored by churches or local
recreation centers. Another possibility would be to look up your
local scout office and ask them to recommend a troop in your area.
interested in, find out when and where they meet, and then show up to
one of their meetings to get a feel of the environment. This may
sound a little intimidating and it honestly is, I remember standing
on the sidelines during the first meeting that i went to but I took
the chance and went back again. Now, 5 years later I have achieved
one of the greatest awards in scouting and am planning on continuing
with the program and completing the circle by helping to teach the
younger scouts the lessons they must learn in order to make their own
progression and hopefully have the chance to earn their own Eagle.
Lessons & tips:
- Find a local Scout Troop
- Make the time in your schedule to attend meetings and camping trips.
- If one troop doesn't work out for you, try another! Sometimes the troop has very poor leadership and the meetings are disorganized, don't convince yourself that all troops operate that way.
- Parents: you need to encourage your scout and support him on his way towards Eagle
- Show up early to your first meeting and try to find the Scoutmaster or one of his assistants and explain your situation to him or her.
- Stick With It!!
Resources:
- Scout office
- Family
- Friends
- Neighbors
- see Troop410.com for an example of a well-run troop
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