Wednesday, October 20, 2010

E is for Eagle Scout



Any mom or dad of an Eagle Scout knows exactly what their son(s) went through to earn this highest honor of Boy Scouts. For many of us, it was a lesson in "just under the wire" or "how to keep one's sanity while hours away from a deadline!"

I have the privilege of having two sons who were Boy Scouts, and who both earned their Eagle Scout Award just hours before their 18th birthday. That is the deadline for all sign offs for the project the boys complete as the last part of the Award. My two princes turned my gray hair white by leaving so much until the last minute.

But that is all water under the bridge now. The Eagle Scout Award can open so many doors for young men. They can enter the military, or Police Academy with one year already completed, merely by earning this award. When college admission representatives or employers see the award listed on applications, it indicates to them that the applicant worked through the scouting program until it was completed; just like a job project, or college curriculum requires one to complete. Yes, I had to kick their butts a fair amount of the time, but in the end, it was their hard work and tenacity for which they were rewarded.

I can honestly recommend both the Boy Scouts of America organization, as well as the Girls Scouts of America organization for any parent or child with an interest in developing life skills, broadening horizons, and giving service to their community. These organizations offer opportunities and experiences that may not be available to some in their everyday lives.

This post is in response to Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday meme. Please stop by this week's post to read about others who are inspired by The Letter "E". Just click on the logo below and you will be transported to Jenny's post.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today!

Jenny Matlock

P.S. My Scout is the one in the middle!

20 comments:

Annesphamily said...

I know a real live Eagle Scout. My oldest sons friend was an eagle scout and I like to tease him that if I ever got lost in the mountains I would hope he would be there to help me out! Great post! Anne

Judie said...

I know that Eagle Scouts are such special young men!
Do you mind if I answer you tomorrow? I am a procrastinator too!

Christy said...

What a good looking young man your son is! How incredibly proud you must be of both of them! What a great E post!

Leah said...

I loved being a girl scout and will definitely encourage my daughters to join when I have them. : )

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I remember when my oldest brother was a cub scout.....back in the caveman days. He had so much fun, I was jealous.

Unknown said...

I bet your amazinly proud of your boys. This is not an easy thing to do.

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

My grandson was an Eagle Scout in high school. He has now graduated from the University of Michigan and Harvard and is studying further at North Carolina U. Eagle Scouts - a great thing!
Happy E Day!
Coralie

Write Chick said...

I never knew all of this about Eagle Scouts. My oldest son has never really been into Scouts, and I haven't either. After reading this, I'm kinda changing my mind.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Boy Scouts is a big deal here in Utah because the Mormon church supports it. It's really a great organization and makes good young men into extraordinary young men!

mle said...

Congrats to your Eagle Scout!!
An honor for sure! Had to chuckle about the under.the.wire comment cuz that's what all the mom's seem to say : ) hehe

Jackie said...

Your boys are the two on the left? They both seem to have the same shape of smile . Beautiful boys! That is amazing .

Susan Anderson said...

I have two eagle scouts as well. It's not an easy road!

=)

EG CameraGirl said...

Good boys! I'm so sorry that made you ALMOST pull your hair out but I imagine in 20 year time you'll all have a good laugh. :)

Red Couch Recipes said...

My son is filling out his Eagle project form right now -- he has one merit badge left and then his Eagle. Scouts has been a good thing for him. He has had lots of adventures -- 50 mile hike -- best time my husband and him ever had. Congratulation to you and your boys. So glad they eeked in before they turned 18! Joni

Jo said...

Congratulations to you and your son! That is quite an accomplishment!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Congratulations to you and your sons. My nephew is an Eagle Scout so I know first hand how much work (and nudging, badgering and pushing) you had to do. But what a fabulous accomplishment. I take my hat off to you.
Happy weekend, jj

Jenny said...

What a happy and proud stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "E".

What fine young men you are nurturing. It gives me hope for the future when our youth still strives to attain their dreams.

Thanks for for this uplifting link.

A+

qandlequeen said...

That really is impressive - my sons never made it past webelows.

Twix said...

Congratulations to your two boys on the award. This is fantastic!! :)

I have two in CAP, so in a way I can relate. It's a lot of work for them and us. But definitely worth it!!

Mrs4444 said...

My son's Eagle Court of Honor is next Saturday, and I know the pain of his waiting til the last minute (two days before his 18th birthday, in my case.)

Kyle has already reaped the benefits of having "Eagle Scout" on a job application; he got to skip the interview process because of it :)
(He now details cars at a local Honda dealership.)