[MarMema]

I am following this story with great frustration. A 12 yo who is already First Class. Got all the emails from the district training staff with reminders about the buddy system bright and early this morning. Spent the late morning thanking God for the SM my boys have...

My oldest son just sent in his Eagle application and is waiting for his BOR to be scheduled.

I'm wondering if it is time to add Wilderness Survival as an Eagle-required badge. I made both of my sons do the badge as a mom-required badge last year.

[Scoutmaster]

Congratulations on the Eagle-Scout-to-be. Given your role as a frequent poster on Scouting issues, just let me know when your son makes Eagle Scout and I'll send him something meaningful from my Scouting collection.

Tax-Chick: Any insight on the NC Scouting boards about how and why this young man may have wandered away?

[Scoutmaster]

A twelve-year old First Class Scout doesn't bother me much -- particularly if the Scout attended a good summer camp. Scouts who do not earn First Class within the first year are MUCH more likely to drop out of Scouting. Don't remember if it was in writing, but I have been encouraged to get Scouts to FC within eighteen months.

I am highly distressed, instead, with at least 99 of every 100 fourteen-year old Eagle Scouts I've ever met.

[SandRat]

MarMema,

Sounds as if you've got and SM that understands that the most important part of Scouting is outing and that means woodscraft.

Good luck to your son on the BOR.

As to making Wilderness Survival as an Eagle-required badge, that's perhaps a good idea.