Eagle Scout Award: What's the Big Deal?

Periodically we read about a young man becoming an Eagle Scout and we know we should be impressed - but why?

If you have never journeyed through the life of a BSA Boy Scout you most likely only have a general idea of what is required to earn the coveted Eagle Scout Award. You are not versed in the detailed intricacies, and at times, the all-consuming day-to-day Boy Scout experience. Furthermore, a young man does not become an Eagle Scout within a few months - it takes years.

Advancement through the seven required ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle is not something one can teach in a short amount of time. Each rank is broken down into increments requiring the scout to master the skills of personal care and safety, indoor sustainability, outdoor survival, and the ability to work with others . . .whether as a team or as their leader. Until the scout displays proficiency for what is required within each rank, he is not able to advance.

The 21 required merit badges - 13 Eagle specific - are also challenging. Have you ever hiked 20 miles, listed the six functions of government as noted in the Preamble to the Constitution, or made a timeline of the history of environmental science in America? The Eagle Scout has. He had to accomplish tasks, and learn large amounts of information to complete his Eagle required merit badges. These badges cover the spectrum of physical fitness within the individual’s capabilities to a knowledge base necessary for any college bound student.

Extensive service hours and service projects along with living by the Scout Law - trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent - is the life of a Boy Scout.

For Orland Park Boy Scout Troop 318, the success of their scouts achieving the rank of Eagle and receiving the Eagle Scout Award has been fruitful. In January of 2014, Ricky Aguinaga became the 140th Eagle Scout to join the list of “318 Eagles” (Virgil Butler in 1947 was the first).

From January 2013 to January 2014, nine more Boy Scouts joined the list of Eagle Scouts within the Troop: Alex Sandoval, Kyle Lisak, Ken Childers, Michael Schuch, Kyle Petrauskas, Peter Barczak, Alex Kowalski, Jack Harmening, and Scott Cleary.

So the next time you read of a boy who has just received their Eagle Scout Award, be impressed. This award was not handed to him, he earned it. It will not be one of those items packed away with the other trophies of his youth but will instead be displayed in his daily actions - and its quintessence will forever live in his heart.

Dawn Bailye - T318 PR Representative