OUR MEANING
In Scouting the eagle stands for strength of character, and for knowledge of all phases of Scouting. The eagle represents an understanding of community and nation, and a deep respect for same. The eagle is a symbol of what a young man has done as well as what that young man will do, and will be, when he grows to manhood. The eagle is a leader. The eagle is respected, both by his peers and by his adult leaders.
The EAGLE SCOUT AWARD is the highest award available to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America. It is a recognition by the National Court of Honor, presented through the local council and a local court of honor.
It represents many years of dedicated effort , and the successful completion of a long process which started when the young man became a Boy Scout. It is a demonstration of how people, working together, can truly help mold a young man with a solid sense of leadership, citizenship, and responsibility.
Not every boy, nor every Scout, qualifies for the high rank of Eagle.
1. The physical requirements are strenuous, as set forth in the required merit badges.
2. Mental requirements are unusual and require much more than average intelligence.
3. Perhaps an even more difficult and more important requirement for the Eagle rank is the personal character of the Scout as reflected in his right attitudes toward God and the ideals of Scouting, as reflected in his cooperation and service to others in church, the home, school and community. The applicant must have a high degree of the spirit of cheerful service to others which is a basis of good citizenship.
The attainment of the Eagle Scout Rank is indeed the highest honor that a Scout may achieve.
When a boy enters Scouting, in the three parts of the Scout Oath, he promises upon his honor to do his best to do his duty
first to God and his countrysecond, to other people, by helping them at all timesand third, to himself, by keeping himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.Likewise, the Scout Law he promises to obey is put into effect as the occasion may demand. He is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Each is an important foundation stone in the building of strong character.
An Eagle Scout is one who has taken the Scout Oath and Law, to which he has promised, and embodied them within his character. The Oath and Law have become a part of him, they guide and direct him.
Very few Scouts make it this far, only about 2% of all scouts, and it is a great achievement for all parties involved: the Scout, his family, his community, his unit, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Many Eagle Scouts have gone on to assume important positions:
one of our recent Presidents is an Eagle Scout; Gerald Ford so was one of our recent Presidential candidates H. Ross Perot
A previous survey of leaders revealed that
seventeen of our United States Senators over 60 of our Congressmen eleven of our state Governors fourteen of our senior military officers Over 1700 chief executive officers/presidents/heads of corporations are all Eagle Scouts.
Other Famous Eagles include
* Steven Spielberg, Film Director/Producer* James Brady, Former Press Secretary to President Reagan* Daniel J. Evans, Former US Senator and Governor of Washington stateOf the 214 former and present astronauts, 142 have taken part in Scouting. 33 became Eagle Scouts, including Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.
Awarding the Eagle is an important and serious matter. It is the climax and goal toward which this Scout has been working for several years. It is the culmination of the efforts of the parents and leaders of this Scout. It is an occasion for pride and for joy.
Eagle is the highest and most coveted award in all of Scouting, and it is the last major step in the advancement program. It is, at this point, that Scouting has achieved its purpose in these Eagles:
in building participating citizenshipin growth in moral strength and characterin development in physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
The EAGLE SCOUT AWARD is the highest award available to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America. It is a recognition by the National Court of Honor, presented through the local council and a local court of honor.
It represents many years of dedicated effort , and the successful completion of a long process which started when the young man became a Boy Scout. It is a demonstration of how people, working together, can truly help mold a young man with a solid sense of leadership, citizenship, and responsibility.
Not every boy, nor every Scout, qualifies for the high rank of Eagle.
1. The physical requirements are strenuous, as set forth in the required merit badges.
2. Mental requirements are unusual and require much more than average intelligence.
3. Perhaps an even more difficult and more important requirement for the Eagle rank is the personal character of the Scout as reflected in his right attitudes toward God and the ideals of Scouting, as reflected in his cooperation and service to others in church, the home, school and community. The applicant must have a high degree of the spirit of cheerful service to others which is a basis of good citizenship.
The attainment of the Eagle Scout Rank is indeed the highest honor that a Scout may achieve.
When a boy enters Scouting, in the three parts of the Scout Oath, he promises upon his honor to do his best to do his duty
first to God and his countrysecond, to other people, by helping them at all timesand third, to himself, by keeping himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.Likewise, the Scout Law he promises to obey is put into effect as the occasion may demand. He is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Each is an important foundation stone in the building of strong character.
An Eagle Scout is one who has taken the Scout Oath and Law, to which he has promised, and embodied them within his character. The Oath and Law have become a part of him, they guide and direct him.
Very few Scouts make it this far, only about 2% of all scouts, and it is a great achievement for all parties involved: the Scout, his family, his community, his unit, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Many Eagle Scouts have gone on to assume important positions:
one of our recent Presidents is an Eagle Scout; Gerald Ford so was one of our recent Presidential candidates H. Ross Perot
A previous survey of leaders revealed that
seventeen of our United States Senators over 60 of our Congressmen eleven of our state Governors fourteen of our senior military officers Over 1700 chief executive officers/presidents/heads of corporations are all Eagle Scouts.
Other Famous Eagles include
* Steven Spielberg, Film Director/Producer* James Brady, Former Press Secretary to President Reagan* Daniel J. Evans, Former US Senator and Governor of Washington stateOf the 214 former and present astronauts, 142 have taken part in Scouting. 33 became Eagle Scouts, including Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.
Awarding the Eagle is an important and serious matter. It is the climax and goal toward which this Scout has been working for several years. It is the culmination of the efforts of the parents and leaders of this Scout. It is an occasion for pride and for joy.
Eagle is the highest and most coveted award in all of Scouting, and it is the last major step in the advancement program. It is, at this point, that Scouting has achieved its purpose in these Eagles:
in building participating citizenshipin growth in moral strength and characterin development in physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
What It Means To Be An Eagle Scout
by Greg Gough
It means that I have the ability to be a leader. Not of a gang or criminal organization but a leader of like minded individuals that uphold a creed, a sacred oath. A passion for life and the principals that founded the United States of America. Patriotism is a loyalty I will never break. If called on I would voluntarily give my life for my country. But more importantly, I will work to make it better. Duty to God is an ongoing learning and incorporating of similar moral values that ensure that I will be a compassionate and productive citizen.
Eagle Scout is not a patch, an award or certificate to hang on the wall. It is a way to live your life. Although the trail to Eagle is hard work and fun; it is much more. The Eagle rank is an education. Each rank is a chapter. The conclusion is that by earning the Eagle rank the individual has the tools to be a responsible consciences citizen who would gladly advance the group before the individual.
Eagle Scout is not a patch, an award or certificate to hang on the wall. It is a way to live your life. Although the trail to Eagle is hard work and fun; it is much more. The Eagle rank is an education. Each rank is a chapter. The conclusion is that by earning the Eagle rank the individual has the tools to be a responsible consciences citizen who would gladly advance the group before the individual.
The Symbol
An honored symbol of a nation's unity, its hopes, achievements, glory and successes. The flag of the United States of America is such a symbol, of freedoms bravely fought for and hardly won. Of protection under the constitution of the rights and privileges of all Americans. Promises of fulfillment of all their hopes, principles and ideals. It is also a symbol of the duty of all her citizens to serve in time of need, to speak out for what each considers right, and to help correct under the law that is honestly believed to be wrong. Throughout the ages, man has developed character, courage, and strength, by devotion to the symbols he believed in. That is the heritage this symbol has left us.
What's It Worth
The Eagle Badge. The highest rank a Scout can earn. What is it worth? Well, in dollars and cents it is worth about $7.50. Probably two and a half dollars in silver, twenty five cents worth of ribbon, and the rest of it in manufacturing and handling costs. But, what is it really worth to you?
Think back to the time when you first became a Scout. Remember the Scout skills that you learned for each rank? And the re- dedication to the Scout Oath and Law each time you advanced. Think of the service that you have given to your troop and to other people. Is your Eagle badge worth seven fifty? Of course not! Your Eagle badge is priceless. It represents everything that you have learned, everything that you have done, to be prepared, to help others, and to help yourself. So now you stand on the peak of the mountain. An Eagle Scout, now look ahead, look sharp. Way out there in the mist is another mountain, and there below is the trail to your future. It may be a long trail, or a short one, but it leads to that mountain far away. As you walk down the trail, and as the years roll by, and finally reach the end, we all hope that you can look back on the trail of life and be able and proud to say, "I have done my best."
Think back to the time when you first became a Scout. Remember the Scout skills that you learned for each rank? And the re- dedication to the Scout Oath and Law each time you advanced. Think of the service that you have given to your troop and to other people. Is your Eagle badge worth seven fifty? Of course not! Your Eagle badge is priceless. It represents everything that you have learned, everything that you have done, to be prepared, to help others, and to help yourself. So now you stand on the peak of the mountain. An Eagle Scout, now look ahead, look sharp. Way out there in the mist is another mountain, and there below is the trail to your future. It may be a long trail, or a short one, but it leads to that mountain far away. As you walk down the trail, and as the years roll by, and finally reach the end, we all hope that you can look back on the trail of life and be able and proud to say, "I have done my best."