Lenni Lenape Advancement Chairman Dave McGee has a few tips for up-and-coming Scouts:
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Advancement Tips #3: |
A Few Thoughts on Eagle Projects:
What are the real "minimums" for an Eagle Project? Answer: 1) The boy must be a Life Scout. 2) There are no special merit badges required for the project. 3) The boy must demonstrate leadership commensurate with his capabilities. 4) The project must be of "significant magnitude" in order to show to the boy and others that he did a significant project. 5) The project must have a specific start and an end. An example of a project w/o an end is starting up an "Adopt a Highway" program -- not a good Eagle project as it requires on-going work well into the future, (unless the boy is Peter Pan and never grows up...) 6) The appropriate person at the project's beneficiary must approve the project.All of the salient requirements for conducting the Eagle project are contained in the Eagle packet, which is given to the boy upon his advancement to Life Scout. This is an excellent guide to the written content requirements of the Eagle project.
Myth: There is a "200 hour rule" for an Eagle Project. (In other parts of the U.S., the myth is actually a "100 hour rule".)
Bottom Line: -- Neither the "200 hour rule", nor the "100 hour rule" exist. Nowhere in any Scout policy literature will you see these so-called "rules".
However, there has to be enough hours in the project to demonstrate an appropriate amount of leadership for that particular scout. In the Lenni Lenape District, we believe that the 200 hour rule is a good rough guideline for a project that would ensure that #3 and #4 above are satisfactorily achieved for a normal boy. This is not mandatory, but is essentially used as a "thumb-rule" to help determine whether or not the scope of the project is too narrow or too broad. Obviously, in special circumstances, (e.g. -- a boy with special needs), allowances would be need to be made.
It is paramount that the Troop Committee and Adult Leaders, be thoughtful about the scope and magnitude of a boy's proposed Eagle project to ensure that this project challenges the boy. Every boy is different, and the Troop Committee/Leaders are far better positioned to exercise good judgment about their Scout's capabilities and leadership development needs than anyone else in Scouting. For example, a 14 year old introverted boy with a passion for computer games will have different capabilities and needs than a 17 1/2 year old, athletic, out-going boy. There is no "cookie cutter" policy that makes things easier. The thoughtful judgment of the Troop Committee and Adult Leaders are critical.
One other note. The Eagle project is the BOY's Eagle project -- not the Dad's or the Mom's. The fundamental requirement is that the BOY demonstrates an appropriate amount of leadership. Clearly, parents need and should be actively involved. However, the BOY is responsible to do the scheduling, communicating, directing, planning, supervising, etc. The boy doesn't have to be the one with the paint roller in his hand, but he needs to be the one that people on the project turn to for direction.
If you have any questions, (and if the above comments don't raise any, I will really be surprised...), please contact me.
Dave McGee
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Advancement Tips #2: |
Occasionally, it's helpful to step back and look at the big picture and review what Scouting is all about.
Here it is:
The Aims of Scouting --
1) To teach boys responsibility;2) To develop Character, Citizenship, and Fitness; and
3) To help boys develop into Honorable Men.
Advancement programs for Cub Scouts, Boys Scouts, Venture Crews, are designed to achieve these aims. Established policies are outlined in publications, such as BSA Publication Number 33088D -- "Advancement Committee -- Policies and Procedures". These policies are best interpreted through the lens of the above "Aims of Scouting". The functioning of Boards of Review, the Eagle application process, the advancement recognition process, etc. (to name a few), are all practices that require mature judgement by Committees and Adult Leaders to ensure that they support the achievement of the "Aims of Scouting".
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Advancement Tips #1: |
Tip Number One:
If you haven't already procured a copy of the BSA publication on "Advancement Committee -- Policies and Procedures", you will find this to be an extremely valuable publication. This is the primary BSA reference document on Advancement. If you have questions about the advancement process or advancement policy -- this is the reference document. Each troop should have at least one copy available for reference. It's BSA publication number is: 33088D. This can be ordered through from the Trading Post at the Hoosier Trails Council office.
Tip Number Two:
Education and fun are functions of the Scouting movement and they must be the basis of the advancement program. Outdoor activities are critical elements of a successful Scouting program, (i.e. -- Keep the '...outing' in Scouting!)
Popular Myth: "A Scoutmaster can sign anything..."
Clearly, it is self-evident that Scoutmasters are near to the heart of God. However,......
Case Study -- A boy comes up to his Scoutmaster and asks him/her to sign a blue card that he didn't finish at Summer Camp. He has compelling evidence that he completed the remaining requirements. After he shows this evidence to the Scoutmaster, he says, "Please Mr./Ms. _________, won't you sign my blue card? After all, you're a Scoutmaster and Scoutmasters can sign anything..."
The Truth:
Only if the Scoutmaster is an approved Merit Badge Counselor for this particular merit badge, can he/she sign this card.