It all starts with strong support from the parents. Although I was never a scout as a young man, my time as a scoutmaster has been one of the highlights of my life. I am so sold on the Scouting program as a good foundation in a young man's life. Good luck to you and your young man!
Of course lets not mention Boy Scout's little secrete about their merit programs. The difficulty of obtaining the Eagle Scout rank (as well as all the others) has dropped significantly over the last decade.
These days it seems the Boy Scouts are giving this stuff away. An Eagle scout today isn't the same as 10 or especially 20 years ago.
Thanks for the encouragement.
I guess you could say my son is either blessed or cursed with me as his dad. I'm a Woodbadge graduate, as well as previous Asst. SM, SM and currently his Webelos Den Leader who never made it to Tenderfoot as a Boy Scout. I sure enjoyed the camping and outdoors stuff though, just didn't have the parental support you alude to in getting rank advancement completed.
My son will not grow up regretting the lost opportunity to lay claim to the title of Eagle Scout if I can help it.
I don't care what any one says about Scouting, I know that IT IS an ABSOLUTE POSITIVE in a world of negatives. Like you, I am absolutely sold on it's aspects and program. They work.
Yours in Scouting,
SZ