When I first joined the Cub Scouts in the 1st grade, it seemed like everyone wanted to be a Cub Scout. We got to go on a camping trip once in the fall every year, we got to meet with policemen, be in parades, ride in firetrucks, do many fun and unusual activities, and best of all, it seemed that while we were playing, the parents were the ones doing all the work!
Well, the good ‘ole days didn’t last forever and middle school quickly approached. We had all earned our Arrow of Light. After choosing our troops that we would complete our journey in we were all on our own. The Boy Scouts is a boy-lead program, and the parents, who continuously worked hard for us moved to more administrative roles while the boys had to learn the skills and take the initiative to advance. From there, it was easy for many scouts to lose the same determination that they had when they were younger as their responsibilities increased and the pressures of school, sports, and other activities began to take priority. Many of the scouts became inactive. It wasn’t long before I noticed that it wasn’t cool to be a Boy Scout anymore ... until you were an Eagle Scout, and I wouldn't bring up the subject matter at school anymore amongst other students that I was trying to impress.
I too, was experiencing these same struggles that every scout faces as he enters high school. Once, someone asked me at a marching band practice if I was a Boy Scout because I had a dry sense of humor.
I didn’t know exactly how to respond to this sort of situation other than reply, “Uh, yes I am”, and just wish that I could have said, “Actually I’m an Eagle Scout”, so that I didn’t disgrace my distinguished reputation.
Anyways, I owe it all to my parents and to Mr. Houghton for noticing how busy I was getting as a Sophomore in high school and for holding my feet to the fire until I could get my act together and complete those last few straggling merit badges.
The message of my story is really is directed towards the younger scouts that have come to this ceremony today and to any aspiring scouts in the audience. It’s a lot of work, and it’s easy to become discouraged, but the payoff is more than you can ever imagine. I was able to write “Eagle Scout” for the first time on an internship resume two months ago and it was one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life.
I want to say thank you to everyone that has helped me achieve the rank of Eagle. First off, to my parents who have supported me from the very beginning, when I was a Tiger Scout in the first grade. My sister, who I don’t think has ever had a doubt in me, and my extended family have also been very supportive. They have helped me build up my equipment collection and financially supported my trips through years of birthdays and Christmases, and to top it off, drove a long way to be here for me today. The adult leadership, notably, Mr. Beaullieu, Mr. Newton, Mr. Hearn, Mr. McClish, Mr. Roeser and especially my coach, Mr. Houghton never missed a beat to aid me every step of the way. And, Mr. Quinalty, I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me and the troop. You guys also were instrumental in the completion of my Eagle Project in the community garden, and without your help, I would probably still be working, okay, let’s be honest, thinking about getted started with working on my project.
Thanks to my fellow scouts who have helped me learn the necessary skills of scouting and to all the scouts here today that have helped us put on this ceremony. Reverend Wells, I believe you deserve a special thank you for being a friend to our troop when we were in a time of need. Without you and the generosity from the rest of the fine people here at Chestnut Ridge, it would have been easy for me to abandon my scouting ambitions. Finally, to all my friends, who have put up with all my stories about my scouting experiences and have dealt with my “dry humor” without giving me too much flack.
I would never trade my experiences in scouting whether it be jumping the Canadian border and consequently being chased back to the states (I blame Will for getting us lost), getting stung by a swarm of bees whose hive was stepped on on the trail, waking up at 6 am to jump into freezing water, pitching a tent in pouring rain, or when nearly the entire troop got sick after eating the meatloaf at Summer Camp.
So with that, I’m left with nothing other than to say don’t give up, and thank you, everyone.
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