>>What a shame that the American progressives/lefties have rendered the Scouts as meaningless in our nation today.
The troops that serve a “Eagle Factories” have done more to damage scouting than the liberals. The ones that boast “we’ll make your son an Eagle in x years” have lost the point of the whole thing. The author of this article understands when he says that a boy can advance in rank and responsibility or just be a part of the team. Either way, the boy is learning to be man, especially the part about how you have to work for what you want and be content with what you’ve earned.
These “Eagle Factories” sound like the companies that get people to the top of Everest, even if they have to carry them on the back of a Sherpa guide.
I spent three years in The Boy Scouts, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I learned a lot from it.
Where do you find this?
In the middle of what is likely the most liberal county in the country (Alameda) I have a scout troop that had 5 eagles this year. We had 2 last year, and 6 the year before. Everyone of these boys earned the right to be called Eagle. The youngest turned 17 the day AFTER his board of review. Most seem to wait till the month of their 18th birthday to finish it. (Even with scouting - they procrastinate.) My son isn’t any different. He just got approval to do his Eagle project and he still has 2 merit badges to earn. He’s 18 in 6 months.
The point is that I just haven’t seen it here. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen - just not here.