Creating a Plan - What is your LDS Unit doing to get boys to Eagle even if it is after 2020?

I generally share these posts on Facebook and Twitter so I will be sure to check there if we are not Facebook friends.

• What is your unit planning on doing between now and 2020 to get boys to Eagle? The more details you can provide, the better. We need to be networking this issue.
• Is your unit going to even try to get Scouts to Eagle?
• What is the plan if the Scouts don't get to Eagle by 2020?

A long night. Scout leaders vs Scout mentors vs Scout parents

A few nights ago was a long night. 1 AM to be exact. I haven't been up that late in years when I have not had nothing specific to do. I hope this all makes sense. I am still dragging.

I spent the night mostly rereading some Scout stuff written by LDS Church members. My thoughts have been on Scouting for about 10 days since the day I received my 3rd Eagle Mentor pin from one of my Scouts. A huge honor for me. I wonder exactly why I received it because I am not so sure what exactly I did to get it. There isn't a set of requirements--the Eagle Scout gets to decide who gets it and why they get it. My goal isn't to earn these pins (nor will it ever be) but to create a relationship with a Scout to where they will listen to me and hopefully take counsel and advice from me. And hopefully my advice is good.  I served as a Varsity Coach for 6 years leading and trying to help the Scouts lead themselves. I think I have come to the conclusion that my time as a Scout leader might not have been the best use of my time in Scouting. So with that conclusion and the belief that being a Scout leader and a Scout mentor are totally different things, I wish I had learned to be a Scout mentor earlier. From an LDS article called Tenderfeet-Eagles-Missionaries from the 1978 New Era:

He handed me a letter that he had received from William Jones, a deacons adviser who had served during the time the boys were in Scouting. The special ingredient is described therein. The letter reads:

“Dear Brother Craig:

“As I prepare to leave Utah, I feel it appropriate to express my feelings and impressions of Troop 194, both as a deacons quorum adviser and as a worker on the troop committee.

“You know of my deep respect for you as a man, but I need to expand this to include your unique role as Scoutmaster. The activities have often taxed your time to the limit, but time was still found to meet the sincere needs of both Scouts and parents, even a ‘confused committeeman’ on occasion. Many felt that after your son became an Eagle Scout your enthusiasm would die. On the contrary, each boy in Troop 194 has, in turn, become a son to you and achieved the Eagle rank. I know personally of the great love each boy has for you.

“As a deacons adviser I owe you much for assisting me in making the priesthood such an integral part of each boy’s life. In no other place is cooperation more important, and I personally feel that in no other area is it more present than in our ward. Because you were with us on Sundays and you allowed me to play an active role in Mutual and on campouts, every boy became our concern and gave the program a true completeness.

“I was privileged to work with a choice group of men, but my greatest joy came from the obvious source—the individual boy. I shall never forget my first outing with the boys to Silver Lake. I was critical and tried to oversee 20 active Scouts. I failed, of course, but by the second go-round things began to focus and I watched the patrol leaders function. I saw characteristics in boys then that will someday make them fine men and our future leaders. Clean speech, honesty, and other principles that were taught in priesthood lessons came alive as I watched our boys.

“Troop 194 has no perfect boy. We have had and will continue to have loud, fidgety, curious, active creatures called boys to love, appreciate, train, and say good-bye to as they head into future challenges, better prepared for having been a boy in our ward.”

I have spend the past 4 weeks meeting with a Life Scout about his Eagle Project, talking to another about his project, trying to get another Scout who has his project complete but not his last two merit badges to complete them, meeting with a parent and a Scout on where they are at/how we can get them to where they need to be and just trying to be that "non-parent" voice to some Scouts reminding them that they are so close. Sometimes Scouts are more willing to listen to advice from someone who isn't a parent.  BUT PARENTS ARE ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS THE KEY TO A SCOUTS SUCCESS!!!  No Scout leader can replace a good or bad parent when it comes to Scouting (I know personally in my family). I have encouraged parents to be a squeaky wheel to their son's Scout leaders because Scout leaders sometimes don't know what the Scout (or parents) need to be successful. Don't fool yourself if you are a Scout parent and you don't know the program -- it is more important to know your Scout! You get a Scout pin no matter what because of how important you are to the success of the Scout. Everyone else doesn't get a pin on purpose.

It is only through good Scout Mentors and better parents who see the purpose of the Scouting program to make their sons better men will we get those better men!!  I heard an interesting quote at an Eagle Board of Review this week from one of my past Bishop who I love: "Mom Eagles make Mom missionaries. They can't learn to do hard things on their missions." Amen. AMEN!

So parents don't be scared to ask 5,000 questions. I have answered phone calls from one mom in the area 8 times a day when she called but I would rather answer their questions than them do something that they don't know if it is right.

Why I'm NOT an Eagle

What a great article by Jason F. Wright on why he isn't an Eagle Scout. 

I think some of the best leaders are those who don't earn Eagle because they regret their decision and want Scouts to not make the same choice they did.

I hate adults!!! A tale of an Eagle Project.

I should say I hate a specific type of adult that I seem to keep come across and Ask Andy seems to be asked tons of questions about each time he doles out advice.  What type of adult is it that I hate?  I hate adults that expect a program run by boys to fit their perfect mold and has unrealistic expectations of how things are supposed to run.  Just because you have been in the program forever doesn't mean you know everything and traditions need to meet a quick and bloody death especially when these traditions hurt your relationship with a boy.

Need an example?  I am all too happy to share.

I met with a young man to approve his Eagle Project.  Like most boys in my Stake, this boy didn't have the 3 required signatures for his Eagle Project that I need to see before signing off on his project (another topic for another time).  This boy attends Scouts in the same building I do and so I asked him to go get the signatures required and I would in turn sign his project off that night.

Notice how there are no adults in this picture of Scouts doing an Eagle Project?  Normal Rockwell knew Scouting.

On the way out to meet with my Varsity Scouts, this boy's Mom stopped me and asked when my schedule would be clear to sign her son's project off.  I asked her why he wasn't able to get his signatures.  She told me that his new VARSITY COACH would not sign off on his project or even listen to him present the project because (deep breath Fishgutts, deep breath) his project wasn't in a binder and he didn't have any pictures even though he had a diagram of his project.  The mom told me her son was obviously upset but was very respectful of his Varsity Coach and basically said "OK" and then went and gave his mom his paperwork so he could go participate in his weekly meeting.

I grabbed his paperwork and restrained myself from swearing like a sailor while I ran to find the Chartering Organization Representative (hereafter called the COR - and in the LDS Church it is usually one of the Bishopric members) because the VARSITY COACH had left the building.  I found both Counselors of the Bishopric supervising their Troop putting out new hymnals in the Chapel.  I am friends with both.  I asked them why their VARSITY COACH (who was the ASM over the 11 year old Scouts for years until a short while ago) would not sign an Eagle Scout project over a binder and pictures.  Both shook their head and the COR said "This is normal when dealing with this person."  I asked why they would make such a man a Scout leader and I got no reply.  They had both been present during this exchange between the VARSITY COACH and the Varsity Scout and both told me they didn't like the way it was handled.  I told them that this is absolutely unacceptable and as a member of the Advancement Committee I can and will sign for this VARSITY COACH and I can and will cut him out of the whole process of Eagle Projects if need be.  Where in the paperwork does it require that a binder is required along with pictures?  No where.  Yes it is great and beautiful if it is in a binder and you do have pictures but I will be a monkey's uncle before I allow this "requirements" to be acceptable and boys turned away from getting project approval. 

So I went back to the mom and told her I would be signing the boy's Eagle Project for his Varsity Coach and if he has any issues he can call me.  And then I signed for the Varsity Coach.

Conclusion:  

When in life is ruining a relationship with a Scout worth having his paperwork in a binder with pictures?  This undermines your authority as a Scout leader.  Not even giving the boy the time of day doesn't help either.

So to all the parents, Scouts and Scouters out there - GET RID OF TRADITION, GET RID OF YOUR "REQUIREMENTS" AND GET RID OF EXPECTATIONS!  No boy deserves to have unforeseen requirements placed upon him especially when he doesn't know them.  Each road in Scouting is unique as each boy travels down much different roads.  Even if two boys earned the same merit badges and went on all the same campouts, they would learn much different things.  Your relationship with a Scout is worth more than holding on to your silly tradition.  I wish the phrase "Well that is how we have been doing it..........." could be forever removed from our minds.  Adults get out of the way of these boys and let them work the Scouting program!

There may be updates on this post as the Advancement Chair for the Advancement Committee totally back me up on this and I need to contact this Varsity Coach to educate him on the process.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes have been everywhere in my area for the past two weeks.  So I would like to share with you one video which I saw this morning that is more than touching.  And a picture from 1990.

This is me in Limon, Colorado helping members of the community move away after a devastating tornado.  My Troop also helped me clean field after field so the American Red Cross could come in and raise cattle to be used to feed the community.

#2

This may seem like a sense of pride for me but for me it means I have played a large role in a boys life (ie I am doing the right thing!)

Excerpt from a Talk

Brothers and Sisters, it appears in this life that happiness is something that might be fleeting or unobtainable but it is not.  The Lord wants us happy just like a parent wants their child to be happy.  The world tells us that women must have a “perfect” body, that they must have a perfect looking home and young women must be promiscuous to be liked.  The world tells men that we are overbearing and keep women in shackles in our homes and that we are worthless unless we provide every perceived need for our families instead of instilling the ability to teach children to work.  Young men are taught the most important think is the next video game and playing them overrides every responsibility that they have wasting hours and hours of time.  Young men are also taught by the world that using young women like dirty rags to be thrown away when they are done with them is OK.  We as members of the members of the Church often have “perfection guilt” and unless we are perfect here and now we are not good people so what is the point of even trying.  All of these are lies to make us unhappy.

These things are not so.  Women are beautiful because they don’t look like the unrealistic women on TV and in magazines.  Husbands should remind their wives of this until they actually believe it and most importantly wives you need to start believing your husband when he tells you these things!  Young women, you are beautiful too even if some boy has no clue how to interact with you socially.  Don’t surround yourself with boys that don’t treat you like the princesses you are.  Men should continue to treat their wives like an equal and no matter how many male “roll-models” on TV act stupid and realize that we are smart and we can take care of our families.  Men should work hard and teach their families to work hard.  They should be respected for the Priesthood they hold especially if they are raising their family to the Lord.  Young men should invest their time in something worthwhile and long lasting or significant other than how many zombies they killed with which weapon in which game.  For the youth, Eagle Scout, Duty to God certificate and the Young Women medallion could be some of these worthwhile ventures.  All of these good and worthy things should lead us to happiness.

It is important to strive to be perfect but realize that this is a long term goal with daily short term steps.  Some days it is important to realize that just getting through the day with a happy continence is a success.  Sometimes it is just OK to throw the well made plans out the window and make sure your family’s needs are being taken care of no matter how messy the process may get.  For example, it is might be OK that your kids have a sandwich for dinner to ensure Mom and Dad don’t go nuclear because of the day’s stresses.  It is better for kids to see a sandwich on their plate than Mom and Dad frustrated because their 8 course meal isn’t perfect.  A sandwich sustains life just as well as an 8 course meal.

Touching

A Grandparent’s Song

The books you’ve read, the dreams you’ve seen fulfilled, can only be on this night, a Grandparents dream long come true.

We started as the grandparents who saw you once a week.

We loved you and spoiled you, then sent you on your way, yearning for the day you’d be back to spoil yet another day.

Somehow, some way, life changed for you and here you came to stay each minute and each hour of each and every day.

It was a time within our hearts we wanted you to learn to live life in a normal way, growing and learning and wanting to become the spark of life we have before us here today.

As years progressed we watched you start your journey to become a man, a leader and adventurer, the spirit of truth, a symbol to all.

But for right now, in this light of day, you are just a Cubbie, very proud indeed, with buttons bursting at each and every seam.

You knew all the while that someday you’d fulfill the dream of each and every other Cubbie you could see that day.

You learned all the hand signs, and recited all the words; you even learned how to tie a square knot, lashing and bow-line.

You crossed the bridge into a world where first you were a young scout evolving to be the ranks of Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class Scout.

We watched you give both sweat and time, until you became a Star, and then you gave your heart and soul to others, so a Life Scout you could become.

Guardians, grandparents, parents & friends, watched through the years as  mountains you climbed and lakes you swam, couldn’t keep you from this point in life, where goals you sought were so very close at hand.

You may have needed help, traversing impossible terrains and you may have asked for a hand or two to help you through the night.

But never did you faultier in wanting to become the highest rank of all, that of an Eagle Scout.

There were times in your adventures; you may have lost your way, yet all the while, trying to live life — in the Boy Scout Way.

The road was twisted, dark and damp, but somewhere, somehow, there was always there to find, the lamp of life to guide you through life’s tricky game of chance.

Tonight is a special night; not just for this young man to have, but special for those too who’ve seen you through one passage to the next.

We held our breath and closed our eyes remembering our own lives, and how it was when we all climbed that rugged trail of life.

This once young Cubbie has now become the symbol of scouting’s greatest dreams, dreams of those who have passed on through and dreams for all young Cubbies for years to come.

Tonight I have the honor of helping to bestow upon my grandson the highest rank of all, that of an Eagle Scout. His dreams are fulfilled; his wings are spread wide, ruffled, and ready to soar to heights known only to the few who’ve heard the call through heart and soul. The eagle calls for you to soar over the mountains and the skies where all young cubbies yearn to be on this most special night for thee.

New Eagle Rank Requirements - New required merit badge

New requirements for 2014.

Cool Eagle Scout Project!!!

You decide

I met with a Varsity Scout this past Sunday about his advancement.  His guardians want him to become Eagle like their son but this boy doesn't seem all that interested.  The guardians state that the boy has been very active in his very out of my state Troop but when I requested the records, he is a Star Scout with 6 merit badges at age 15.  The guardians keep telling me that they are not going to give him a choice about becoming an Eagle at which point I shared with them Mike Rowe's Letter.  His male guardian has become his drill instructor in life and it hasn't been helping build bridges with the boy.  Hopefully this will show them that it really is up to the boy.  So I scheduled a sit down with everyone to talk.

In the talk we discussed that soon he will reach a time where he won't get to choose if he wants to be Eagle. Time will not work in his favor.  I presented a plan to him to earn Eagle by 18, told him I was there for him not only Scouting wise but also as his Church youth adviser and then I told him he had a week to think about it, pray about it and decide.  Then I clearly told his guardians by telling him that no one can force him to Eagle.  He must choose.  I told him either way I expect him to be active in Scouts because Scouting is fun and we have had a ton of fun lately.

This boy has a lot of challenges one of which is a brain tumor which he will be having surgery for soon.  Other includes parent drama that keeps nagging at him.  But the kid is a solid kid and a typical teenager.  Some have forgotten what teenagers are like.  I like him a lot.  He is the voice of a lot of "little men" in my group.  He sticks up for those who don't always want to share their voice.

Too much is too much

When a parent or a guardian's push towards Eagle is too much, it soon becomes apparent to me some focus too much on the silly award - instead of focusing on the trip to Eagle, they focus only on the end of the trip.  Eagle or bust!  Soon the boy has checked out and isn't doing anything to earn the award and actually working against the efforts of parents.

Of course we know that Eagle is important and it would benefit every boy that earns it.

So what do you tell an over bearing parent or guardian whose sun sets on the fact that their kid WILL earn Eagle?  After going round and round with a parent I said this (below) and gave them a copy of Mike Rowe's Letter to a Life Scout.

"Remember the choice is ultimately his and he will be the one to live with the fact that he earned Eagle or he didn't.  This will be the ultimate lesson in accountability."

Flags

What do you get a Scout that earns the rank of Eagle?

One mother suggested contacting your State Capital and getting a state flag flown over your respected capital.  I checked into the price for Texas and it is less than $20.  I was shocked.

She also suggested one flown over the US Capital.  A bit more expensive at about $30 but still relatively cheap.

I would love one of these after my service in Scouting but I think I am going to end up buying my own.  But that is alright.  My Dad has a US Flag flown over the USS Arizona.  I am thinking this might be a good Father's Day present as well especially if you dad served in the US military.

Quote - Michael S. Malone

"You don’t so much earn the Eagle rank as you become an Eagle.....................And in becoming an Eagle, you are changed forever."

Do Varsity Scouts Earn Eagle?

Sunday I ran into a funny situation.

As I was removing trash from the Church with my young men and Scouts, I walking into the closed kitchen at the Church to find a set of parents and one of my future boys talking about Varsity Scouting.  The mother was asking the boy "Do Varsity Scouts earn Eagle?  Is that when you normally earn Eagle?"  I starred at them quickly and moved on (mostly because I had Dr Pepper Pulled Pork cooking at home and I was STARVING plus instead of their kid helping clean the Church, the family were sitting around talking).  I thought it was funny that instead of asking the "Varsity Coach" they questioned their son.  (This caused me to wonder on the way home "How the heck long do I have to serve as the Varsity Coach before members of the Ward will know that I am the Varsity Coach?"  Apparently about 6 years isn't long enough......)

The Dad is an Assistant Scoutmaster who I got into a heated back-and-forth conversation about how he and his son camping at a family reunion this summer in Idaho doesn't fit the requirements of the 20 days and nights of camping.  He justified it by saying anything he does, he does it as the Assistant Scoutmaster.  This is an absolute ridiculous thought especially since he doesn't................well whatever.  He also has signed off on all of his son's advancement without the use of merit badge counselors.

On a related note, 3 of my Varsity Scouts have decided to work on their Eagle Scout Projects with no motivation from me.  I don't push projects and I don't push Scouting.  I push Varsity Scouting and fun.  If the boy wants his Eagle, I gladly meet with them, give them the paperwork, give them some ideas, explain the process to them and talk to them about the signatures they need.  I also discuss the fact that leadership is the primary key to success with their project.

So yes, Varsity Scouts earn their Eagle but they have to be the one to want it.  

Eagle Project Grant

Lowes is willing to pay for $100 of a boy's Eagle Scout Project.  Awesome!!!

Invitation to be Eagle Mentor

Scouters:

I am looking for some men and women to serve as Eagle Mentors in the ward.  This isn't a "calling" as most jobs in Scouting are volunteer but you are still able to receive revelations for a boy you help.  It is one of those "extra" callings.  It is an easy calling that takes literally about 5 minutes a week with an extra 30 minutes a month if you get the boy to do something. 

The goal of an Eagle Mentor is to help motivate those working towards the rank of Eagle.  Currently in our ward we have about 5 boys who are sitting at Life Scout and have been for a LONG time.  Literally most have been sitting there for years.  I have gone into their homes and shown them the paperwork and the process on earning Eagle and I get blank looks from the boy and parents.  One of your goals may just be to truly find out if a boy wants to earn Eagle of if he is just doing it for Mom and Dad.  I currently serve on the District Advancement Committee.  I also serve as the Varsity Coach and am in the Young Men's Presidency.  So the boys see me a lot.  So this may be a reason why they don't respond to me asking them how it is going towards Eagle.  I think it would be a great idea to have more resources for these boys to look at especially not leaders they see at least twice a week.

Training takes literally 30 minutes.  Plus if you have any questions, I will gladly be available any time to answer questions.  I am looking into having you registered and you taking in-person Youth Protection.  If your plate is too full with other callings, jobs and life I totally understand.  I would rather know that ahead of time so that I can assign a person who is available to help.  Helping mold the minds of the young men of our Church offers great and wonderful blessings.  My life has been greatly blessed as I have served for 5 years in the Scouting program in our ward and I know you life will be too.

If you have any suggestions for others in the ward who would be great Eagle Mentors please let me know.

 

Fishgutts

Annoying boys works..........

Saturday I attended an Eagle Court of Honor for 4 young men in a neighboring Troop.  I signed off on all their project and did their Eagle Board of Reviews.  When announcing their mentors, one of the boys said my name. I was completely shocked especially after talking about how I had asked him every time I saw him about his project and Eagle.

My brother in law received two of these pins and didn't bother to tell his wife when he returned home.  Talk about a humble guy!  I had to tell her he received these two pins for all of his hard work!

Eagles are different!!

Interesting survey on how Eagle Scouts are different than others.

That being said, some of the best Scout leaders were not Eagles.  A good Scout leader teaches his Scouts why he didn't get Eagle and convinces them that they should earn it.

Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe is awesome.  I love his no non-sense view of life with a twist of humor.  I love that he is willing to do just about anything on his show Dirty Jobs including climbing into small and tight places.