Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Eagle Scouts
July 25, 2006
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

Last month, when I introduced Jeremy as our latest Eagle Scout, I joked that we had not had a new Eagle Scout in our Troop for a whole 45 days. I hope you know I was joking, because to have one of our scouts attain the rank of Eagle, is a great honor. Last year we had none. This year we have two so far - Jeremy Hauschildt and Brad Parker. There are several other Life scouts in our Troop who are currently working on their Eagle project or on getting an Eagle project approved. So we very well could have a record year.

Nationally, about 1 boy in 4 becomes a Scout. In Santa Clara County, it is even a little less. Of those, only about 1 in 10 remain a scout until they are 18. Only slightly more than 1 in 100 will achieve the rank of Eagle. So an Eagle Scout achieves something that less than 1/4 of 1% of our population achieves. Many Eagle Scouts look back on their experiences and put more af a value on their achievement of Eagle Scout than their college degree. In some ways, I can understand why. A college degree is a great achievement, but there is no time limit. My sister went back to school and received a PhD at age 60. It's never too late to start or continue a college degree. But there is a time limit on becoming an Eagle Scout. Once you reach 18, the opportunity closes forever. After that, it's "could-a", "would-a" and "should-a".

Eagle is the highest rank in scouting. As I look around at every one of you, I honestly don't see anyone who I don't think could do it, if you set your mind to it. I encourage you all to aspire to the rank of Eagle. But should becoming an Eagle be your goal? No not really, It's the Trail to Eagle that is what Scouting is all about. It's the outdoor experiences, the Scout Oath and Law. Being helpful, courteous, trustworthy, etc. Becoming good citizens. That's the goal and aim of scouting. Attaining Eagle is a mark of excellence, showing that you have achieved these goals. It shows you as one of character, having realized these goals before you reached age 18. Once achieved they should always stay with you.

At this time, I would like all of our Life Scouts to come up here and and line up. A lot of these guys aspire to the rank of Eagle. Demonstrating that you live up to the Scout Oath and Law is a requirement for every rank advancement beyond Tenderfoot, including and perhaps most importantly, Eagle. For a lot of you, it's been a while since your last Scoutmaster Conference for Life and I don't want you to forget that. Life scouts, look back at the younger scouts in our troop. The Scout Oath and the Scout Law begins right here, in our troop. Can you honestly say that you have helped these guys, and have been kind and courteous to each and every one of them? Scouts, take a good look at these guys. Can you look at them and say that they have been helpful, kind, courteous? Keep this is mind, during meetings, Summer Camp and during our upcoming outings. Don't just wait for someone to ask you a question, seek out opportunities to help each other. Ok, you can go back to your places now.

Even if you never become Eagle... or even Life... or Star, I hope that you gain from your experiences in scouting, and learn from its values. Are you trustworthy? Can people put their confidence in you? Are you honest? Can people count on you to tell the truth? Remember that scouting is boy led. Scouts range in age from 11 to 18. Younger scouts learn from older scouts, and long after you forgot how to tie a sheepshank, you'll remember how the scouts treated you and will follow thier good examples. Remember that us adults are just here to help and guide you.

Thanks for listening.