Eagle Scouting

alum · #1 05-20-2007, 05:02 PM

Hate to brag (who am I kidding, I am so proud) that our son successfully completed his Order of the Arrow Ordeal this weekend! He collapsed due to exhaustion all afternoon as soon as he got home, but he was very excited for the couple of minutes he was awake. The size of the Arrow on the sash will be sure to be noticed by his Pi Phi sister when she returns home for the summer!

AGDee · #2 05-20-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

Hate to brag (who am I kidding, I am so proud) that our son successfully completed his Order of the Arrow Ordeal this weekend! He collapsed due to exhaustion all afternoon as soon as he got home, but he was very excited for the couple of minutes he was awake. The size of the Arrow on the sash will be sure to be noticed by his Pi Phi sister when she returns home for the summer!

That's excellent! My son went on his first camping trip with the troop this weekend and had a blast. They had a "reverse camp" where they started with closing ceremonies, had dinner for breakfast and did something called "uncooking" which he couldn't explain because he was too tired. It was his first time sleeping in a tent too and he thought that was very cool.

alum · #3 05-20-2007, 06:34 PM

My guy did Arrow of the Light as a CS several years ago and still has his Arrow hanging in his room. Now that he's been a BSA member for 2 years and met all the reqs; he was elected to OA. Arrow of Light is a great opp! Your kiddo is well on his way to a succesful, productive Scouting Career!

Scouting was wonderful for my daughter and so far, it has been great for my son. From what she tolde me, all of her college interviewers referenced her Gold Award Project and asked her to elaborate.

AGDee · #4 05-21-2007, 06:31 AM

My daughter is working on her Silver now... trying to decide on a project.

alum · #5 05-21-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

My daughter is working on her Silver now... trying to decide on a project.

Good for your D! Is she in 7th or 8th? If she earn the Silver quickly and can bridge to senior before school ends, perhaps she can volunteer at a camp to earn her Senior Leadership Award over the summer.

My D's Silver Project involved guiding a local Cub Scout den in the earning of the World Conservation Badge. Lots of work to keep squirmy boys' attention!

AGDee · #6 05-21-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

Good for your D! Is she in 7th or 8th? If she earn the Silver quickly and can bridge to senior before school ends, perhaps she can volunteer at a camp to earn her Senior Leadership Award over the summer.

My D's Silver Project involved guiding a local Cub Scout den in the earning of the World Conservation Badge. Lots of work to keep squirmy boys' attention!

She's just finishing 7th and definitely won't have it done by the end of the school year this year. Do they technically still bridge to Seniors? The whole thing has changed now and she is not really a Cadette, she is a "Girls 11-17" (which I think is totally ridiculous because it's hard to call them that).

That's a great idea for a silver project. Since I just finished being a leader of the Cub Scout den for the last 5 years, I'm sure she could get in touch with one of those leaders if she's interested. I think she's leaning toward a book donation drive for the local library.

I'm just so relieved that my kids are into healthy activities.

AlphaSigOU · #7 05-22-2007, 11:05 PM

On a similar track, and being a former Civil Air Patrol cadet (now senior member), the pinnacle of the CAP cadet program is earning the General Carl A. Spaatz (pronounced 'spots') Award. Since the award was introduced in 1964, only slightly over 1600 cadets (less than 1/2 of 1% of all cadets)earned this prestigious award, which bestows the three-diamond grade of cadet colonel.

There are 16 achievements to pass and three 'milestone' awards before one can sit for the Spaatz exam.

The Wright Brothers Award completes Phase I and bestows the grade of cadet staff sergeant.

The Billy Mitchell Award completes Phase II and bestows the grade of cadet second lieutenant.

The Amelia Earhart Award completes Phase III and bestows the grade of cadet captain.

The Ira Eaker (pronounced 'acre') Award is awarded for completion of Phase IV (all 16 achievements of the cadet program) and bestows the grade of cadet lieutenant colonel.

Cadets test for the Spaatz by taking a comprehensive leadership and aerospace education test, along with an essay question and passing a physical fitness test. One can only attempt to pass the Spaatz exam three times; fail it three times and no award.

I earned the Mitchell and Earhart awards as a cadet, but topped out shy of completing the cadet program (there was no Eaker award then).

MysticCat · #8 05-21-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

Hate to brag (who am I kidding, I am so proud) that our son successfully completed his Order of the Arrow Ordeal this weekend! He collapsed due to exhaustion all afternoon as soon as he got home, but he was very excited for the couple of minutes he was awake.

Congrats to your son!! I still consider my ordeal weekend one of the most memorable and significant weekends of my life.

Meanwhile, my son moves to Webelos in a few weeks.