Why Boy Scouts Don’t Fit in a

Box!

…even if you shove them in.

The Great Expectation

My son will turn into…

The Reality

The Dream

…that can come true

First…

Parents often have NO IDEA what they are getting into.And here is what we hear them say…

“It is overwhelming.”

“It is information overload.”

“I don’t understand it.”

“It is expensive.”

…but it doesn’t have to be any of those!

In simplest form…

Earn 7 Ranks Earn 21 Merit Badges Complete an Eagle Service Scout Project

Focus on Keeping it Simple!

Focus on One Step at a Time!

BUT…...The #1 Key Factor

What are the Ranks?

The Ranks

7 Ranks in 4 Easy Steps: Estimation: How Long?1) Earn Scout 2 months2) Earn Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, & 1st Class 6 months, thenat the same time 4 months @ 1st

3) Star 6 months4) Life and an Eagle Project 6 months“In a Box”: 24 months…bam, you are an Eagle Scout!

…..but then again, Scouts DON’T FIT IN A BOX!

Crucial: The Scout has consistent attendance. You join an ACTIVE Troop that has consistent monthly meetings, monthly camping trips and goes to summer camp.

Tip: Ask them if they are a JTE Gold Quality Unit???

Merit Badge Frenzy

Over 130 Merit Badges to Choose From!

Do Not Get Sucked Into The Merit Badge Vortex!

Vortex Caution: Scout burn out Leader burn out Family burn out

TIP: Go for the 21, then after you make Eagle Scout decide how many Merit Badges you want to earn.

AVOID THE VORTEX!

Take a DEEP Breath!

The Scout needs 21!

Anything over 21 is “BONUS”!

The Baker’s Dozen

Out of the 21 Merit Badges,

13 of them are required and the

rest are electives.

Let’s Talk $$$ For RealMerit Badges: 21 Merit Badges is approximately = $60 130+ Merit Badges is approximately = $400+

The Basic Uniform, Patches, Sash and Book New Uniform $100-$150 If lucky, gently used Uniform $free -$80

Camping Small Trips $Free-$30 Medium Trips $50-$100 Summer Camps $200-$350 Big Adventures $$$$

Overall from Scout Rank to Eagle Scout (not including the Eagle Scout Service Project):

Very Thrifty Troop: $750.00 Medium Thrifty Troop: $1500.00 Higher End Troops: $2500.00+

Hit the Brakes…an Eagle Scout Service Project???

They can be FREE! Look for Sponsors.Look for Donations.

Look for Help.Look for Resources.

Everything is out there! People want to help! Search online for help and ideas. Let your scout be the LEADER they have trained for.

This is can be an adventure and a lot of fun for them! MOST IMPORTANTLY BE POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE!

Caution: Parent, Leader, Mentor, Beneficiary--- Don’t take over.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Oh yeah, shoving the scout into the perfect box to achieve the 24 month, bare minimum, super hero scout!

BUT, this is without any challenges that “LIFE” might toss into the box.

The ChallengesMany scouts, parents & leaders have some sort of challenge. Some

challenges are recognized as disabilities. Many challenges do not have exact titles, but nevertheless are very real challenges that these individuals face. ALL challenges should be respected and accepted as part of the person’ s life. Some can be temporary and some are permanent.

The “challenge” is not who we are, but what we face, and how we cope.

Learning Medication Mental Health Illness Family Leaders Parents FriendsLoss Death Migraines Financial Divorce Foster Care Lack of Support Trauma CAPD Autism Lack of Transportation Homesick

ADD Deaf BlindSensitivities ADHD Picky Eater Diabetes

Asthma Food Allergies Allergic to Bees Allergic to Ants Shy Fear (bugs, camping, water, etc)

And many, many more.

Look closer at your Boy ScoutLook closer at your LeadersLook closer at your Parents

More than likely you will find a challenge they face.

Those challenges are all different.

Do not try to shove them into a perfect little box.

So what do you do? Be Prepared to Be Creative!

Make the program work for you.

Do not try to cut corners. Give your best effort.

Tip: The Uniform IS Actually Important

No matter the box (or scout) shape, size, or challenge, the uniform is one of the key elements that brings the scouts together.

“The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all differences of class and country.”

--Robert Baden-Powell

“Show me a poorly uniformed troop and I'll show you a poorly uniformed leader." --Robert Baden-Powell

Tip: The Camping Trips

Don’t hold them back. Let them go.

Just because you’re not ready, doesn’t mean that the scout isn’t.

Make every effort to help them attend.

Be Prepared to Join Me in My Adventure!I can grow, and learn, and be an Eagle Scout at my own pace.

I can have fun on my journey to Eagle Scout.

Because this is not a box, it’s a Rocket Ship, Cave, Castle, Hideout,

Fort, Racecar, Airplane, Volcano and my ability to adapt to ever

changing “challenges” that I will face along my life’s journey.

Courtesy of :Boy Scouts of America Northwest Georgia Council Coosa DistrictTroop 23