Light in the Darkness – Young Men Earning Eagle Scout Rank

I was the “Master of Ceremonies” for a Boy Scout Eagle Ceremony on Sunday July 7th.  The church sanctuary was filled with Scouts, Scout leaders, family, relatives, friends, teachers, and others including the president of the high school and the principal of the high school.  The testimonies provided by various guests attested to the numerous accomplishments, volunteer service, and persona of the young man being recognized.  A person of character and future leader! 

The Boy Scout program allows a young man to learn how to be a man.  Usually 5th-6th graders enter Boy Scouts and spend the next 7 or so years with a Boy Scout Troop. 

During this time they advance in rank at their own pace with the assistance of Scout leaders.  The Scouts learn to camp, earn merit badges, go to fun places to experience cool things, perform community service, and acquire life skills including problem-solving abilities and in my opinion, the most important - how to communicate with adults. 

The maturation process of transitioning from being a boy to a young man usually occurs during the freshman or sophomore year of high school when he loses the “baby fat” and starts to look and act like a young man.  I frequently need to do a “double-take” and say to myself, “Wow!  So and so looks different!  He really has grown up over just a few months!” 

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest award a Boy Scout may earn.  Only a small percentage of Scouts (5-10%) actually earn the Eagle Scout rank.  Why does it take so long you might ask?  The answer is that, like the US Marine Corps, the Eagle rank is earned, not given. 

Scouting provides these young men with leadership experience where they direct and lead younger Scouts.  Rank has its privileges.  A supportive family is also needed to help guide the young men through the more difficult high school years – including dating relationships, new-found freedom awarded by driving, athletics, academics, ACT tests, AP courses and the like.  Most Troop 101 Scouts earn their Eagle Scout rank during their junior or senior years in high school.  

The Eagle Scout must demonstrate perseverance leading to the identification and completion of an Eagle Project.  The “heart” of the project is not doing the actual physical work - but putting together the equivalent of a business proposal/project plan.  In this Eagle Scout’s case, it was my role to coach him through his project.  I was his advisor.  He did it himself.  Mom and Dad were there to provide moral support and encouragement as needed.     

Scouts and adult leaders also have the opportunity to go to the Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimarron, NM where there they will carry a 50 lb backpack and may climb up to four mountains at altitudes ranging from 8,000 to 12,441 feet.  Similarly, the Boundary Waters Canoe Adventure in Grand Marais, MN allows seven days of being in the wilderness – taking everything they need with them.  Sea Base in Islamorada, FL provides the Scouts with an opportunity to go deep sea scuba diving, deep sea fishing, or even camping on a private island.  These “High Adventure” activities are intended to develop problem-solving skills, self-confidence, teamwork, and provide experiences of a lifetime.  Unfortunately, these are all adventures the average young male sitting on the couch playing video games all day long will never experience.  

Boy Scout Troop 101 in Darien has been in place for over 40 years.  Events like these provide me with hope that in the face of various societal changes and financial concerns, there will be young men who will be our nation’s future leaders and make a difference in people’s lives.