Mike Offers a Potential Eagle Scout His Eagle Perspective

November 12, 2008

Now for the (ta dah!) Major Announcement: Mike has written the attached letter and will personalize and sign it for any Eagle Scout out there who requests it. All you have to do is mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Eagle Scout Letter, Pilgrim Films and Television, 6180 Laurel Canyon Blvd., #350, No. Hollywood, CA 91606. Please allow 12+ weeks for Mike to fill it out, sign it and get it in the mail to you. And folks - this is an offer, a nice thing, a volunteer deal Mike wants to do for you - please don't complain if it takes a while to get to you, OK? It'll get handled as quickly as possible.

mikeroweWorks Link to Mike's Letter to Eagle Scouts!

Still:  Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent...okay maybe not so clean!

Mike,
I'm not sure where I heard that you are an Eagle Scout, which brings me to my question. Could you PLEASE take a moment & post to my 13 year old son Kelby & encourage him to finish scouting (& anything else that'll help with this?) Reason I'm asking is that he only lacks 1 1/2 - 2 years in reaching Eagle, but some of his buddies have got him to thinking scouting isn't cool at his age.
Thanks much,  Gary -- scooterdave

                           *****

Kelby,

Your Dad asked me to drop you a line and say something inspirational that might persuade you to dig down deep and find the determination to make the rank of Eagle Scout. It's a reasonable request, from a father who obviously wants to see his son succeed. But here’s the thing - The Eagle Award is not really meant for people who need to be dragged across the finish line. It’s meant for a select few, and I have no idea if you have the guts to see it through.

Statistically, I suspect you do not. Only one out of a hundred Scouts make Eagle, so if you fail, there will be lots of other people with whom you can share excuses. Quitting now might disappoint your Dad, but I doubt that he or anyone else will be overly surprised. Anytime 99 out of 100 people do the same thing, it’s not exactly a shock.

I’m not trying to be cute with a bunch of reverse psychology. When I was 15, there was nothing that anyone could have said to me that would have inspired me to do something I didn't want to do, especially a stranger with a TV show. So I’m not going to assume you’re any different, or pretend that I have some influence or insight that you haven’t already heard from a dozen other people who actually know and care about you. I’ll just tell you straight up, that doing something extraordinary can be very lonely, and most people simply aren’t cut out for it. Being an Eagle Scout requires you to be different than most everyone around you, and being different is really, really hard. That’s why the award is called “an accomplishment.”

Personally, and for whatever it’s worth, the best decisions I've made in my own life, are those decisions that put me on the outside of being cool. Singing in the Opera, working in home shopping, staring in the school play when the entire football team laughed at me, and especially earning my Eagle, were all choices that required sacrifice, hard work, and delayed gratification. I have no idea if you possess those qualities, or even envy them. But I can tell you for certain, that NOT getting your Eagle, will be one of the easiest things you’ve ever done.

Anyway, I have no idea if you would prefer an easy life of predictability and mediocrity, or if have the passion to follow the road less traveled. Only you get to decide that.

Good Luck,
Mike

Comments

[Brittany White]

Hey Mike,
I'm the lady that wrote to you saying that if we should ever meet it would be positively surreptitious. Well, apparently my new hobby of using big words should definitely be kept a hobby and not made into a profession because what I really wanted to say was that it would be "serendipitous". So, that clears that up. I feel better.
Thanks for humoring me. Literally and figuratively.
Brittany from the dirty dirty Northeast?!

[Bethany Cox]

exactly right mike. its hard to be unique and even harder to not give up.

[Jay Stires]

Thanks Mike, from and Eagle Scout and the father of an Eagle Scout. I truly like your comments and your message. I think all potential Eagle Scouts should be required to read what you have expressed in real time.

Yours in Scouting,
Jay Stires

[Kay]

Thanks Mike for a great blog today. I am going to put a copy on my Troops bulletin board. =)

[absepa]

My best friend's son is working his way through the Scouting ranks right now, and I am so impressed with the impact it is having on him. I'm going to send a copy of your post on to him, so that he can read the viewpoint of a guy who made it all the way to Eagle. He's an exceptional young man, and I would like to see him continue on that path. Thanks for the great post.

[Joseph Durnal]

Great post, I'll remember this when my boys are old enough. I didn't earn Eagle, and I have some regrets, but I don't regret my scouting career, they had to kick me out when I turned 18, well, call me an assistant scoutmaster :) and I stuck with the OA and an explorer post until I was 21. My son Alex has just started cub scouts and he is working on his Tiger badge. He looks forward to his requirements. I do hope he sticks with scouting and earns Eagle. I'm going to put him on the right path, but it will be up to him to stick with it. No dragging involved!

[Mel]

I have worked in scouting for over a dozen years now (yikes!) Our eldest is an Eagle Scout. This was a great letter. Thanks for supporting scouting!

[Charles Hardee]

Mike,
What a great statement. I can totaly identify with it. I am an Eagle Scout ('72), and current Scoutmaster, and have 3 sons, 1 of which is an Eagle Scout, the other 2 choosing to take the easy road.
As another poster said, I, too am going to put a link to this letter on our Troop Website.
Thanks again for the inspiration.
Charles

[Lou]

Mike,

As a fellow Eagle Scout (1975), and father of an Eagle Scout (2004), my current position in Scouting allows me the privilege of serving on my council's Eagle Boards of Review.

I found your letter to be absolutely profound and have found it to be totally spot on!

I forwarded the link to my fellow EBOR members and intend to use it when talking with parents and fellow Scout leaders.

Thank you for this excellent post.

Lou

[Steven Powell]

Thanks Mike. Your words are so "right on" and every young person could benefit from them. Yours in Brotherhood, Steve

[Matthew]

Mike,

I am 14 and just one merit badge away from eagle. a also lack my eagle project. When i think about what i want to do for my project i tend to draw complete blanks. I have yet to be struck with the metephorical hammer of insperation. do you have any tips for selecting a project?

Matt

P.S. Stay Dirty!!

[James Marple]

I can say that obtaining my Eagle in scouts was the hardest things I have ever done in my life and I am only 20 years old. My father wanted me to finish since he never did, but I didn't have the inspiration to do it. Finally I was able to find some inspiration when I moved to Germany and joined a new troop. It was a small group of guys who liked to get things done and they were dedicated to finishing scouts; with the rank of Eagle.

I never would have made Eagle Scout if I didn't join that troop, otherwise I wouldn't be writing now saying that it is TOTALY WORTH IT!!!

Why, because I stand out of the crowd; not literally though.

I had the feeling my dad wanted me to live his dream of obtaining Eagle Scout since he never got his. The case is that my father knew how distinguishing it makes you. When I was at my first year of college our group leader ask us “who has already accomplished something significant in their life besides being in a school organization” I raised my hand and proudly said EAGLE SCOUT! Let’s just say that the rest of the group had nothing to say and I could tell people were jealous.

You know that saying “don’t go through life having closed doors/opportunities” well Eagle Scout has opened doors to me. Without the Rank of Eagle I might not have gotten into college at all. Without Eagle my life would have been harder for me to get accepted into college trying to prove to the colleges that I am better than that Joe Schmo who also applied and who also is trying to get in to the same school.

At age 13 one might be a little young for this, but Eagle Scout on a resume stands out to employers. They are not looking for people who just have played video games all through high school, or were in the “video club” that only watched movies after school; believe me I would know. Employers are looking for people who stand out!

Yes school organizations are good for getting into college, but it’s Eagle Scout we’re talking about here!

But it’s all up to YOU. Only YOU can make it happen.

So, I say! Go challenge yourself! Try to be different! And have fun with it!

Sincerely from an Eagle Scout,
James Marple

[SM Greg Hasse]

I am the father of an 18 yr old Scout who just *barely* finished his Eagle requirements. I wish I would have had your comments and inspiration 6 months ago! As a "Lifer" myself (I never completed my Eagle project), I've lived my life regretting never having completed Eagle myself. I didn't want my own son to have the same regrets. I have two more sons - one a Star Scout and one almost First Class - and would like them both to also be extraordinary, but that will have to be their decision.

Thanks Mike for the great show and for having the courage to stand out from the crowd!

[Alan Hemesath]

Mike:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! My son is almost Eagle but has stalled out for the exact reasons mentioned by Gary. Its not cool according to his buddies. I'm in hopes when he sees this it clicks as its not his old man saying what he's heard before. I'm in hopes coming from one more person, especially of your stature, will be the kick in the pants he needs.

Thanks Again!

Al

[spleeness]

I like your advice to follow your passion, no matter whether down a road less-traveled. So my hubby and I are wondering if you think the leech-collectors (featured on one of your more recent shows) feel passionate about their life's work? More specifically, we wondered if this reverence for leech-gathering could somehow explain their need to sit on buckets the non-intuitive way.

We are still trying to make sense of this (which I wrote about on my blog Any insight, having spent more time with them? (I realize that the convo I conjured there was only from memory and not accurate, pls forgive...).

Thx for the best show on TV EVER! And this is said from someone who does not watch tv. But I will, if your show is on.

[Ryan]

hey mike,

i am almost an eagle scout and i really wish the kids in our troop would read this blog because it would kinda serve as a boot camp for scouts since the point of boot camp in the military is to see if you can deal with the situations of real world duties of the military like being out in combat or being out in rough seas. It would be so cool if you could give a speech to my troop at my eagle ceremony.

ryan

[Chris]

Mike,

WOW! Fantastic response. Definitely want to share with the boys in our troop.

Don't know if you ever had the chance to go to Philmont as a kid, but I am willing to bet there are a few Dirty Jobs out there that would make for interesting viewing. Would really boost the ranch and your show. Please consider it.

[Michael Miller]

Mike,

As one of the 99, I've always regretted not taking the time or having the dedication to follow through and finish my project.

If I only knew now what I didn't know then.

My 11 year old step-son has just decided to quit scouting as it was too hard for him. A heart-break for me. Your words helped me see that my pushing him to continue will not help. I do have an enthusiastic 4 year old that can't wait to start in a few years.

Thanks

Michael

[Jeff]

Great message, Mike! I am an Eagle ('84), Scoutmastter, and father of a 12-year-old First Class Scout. I was sitting here at my desk looking for inspirational messages to use for Scoutmaster Minutes when someone sent me a link to this. Your message hit me like a hammer! All of the things that I wish I could convey to my own son and the boys in my troop, and you said it so much better than what I can seem to muster!

A million thanks from a fan and fellow Eagle!

BTW, I think Chris is right. Philmont probably does have a couple of good "dirty jobs"!

Thanks!

Jeff

[Don]

Mike,

Your right on!! Not every boy is meant to be an Eagle. He has to feel it deep inside and really want it for himself, not for his dad. It is enough for a boy to belong to scouting, he will take something away from the experience and have memories to savor for the rest of his life. We here at YOUR old troop would love to have you the next time your in town. Thanks Again!

[Kathy Burgess]

I am married to an Eagle Scout (forty years) and have four Eagle Scout Sons. Each one achieved their rank in a different way. One at twelve, one at 18 and two in between, with four very different projects. I sometimes forget how unique that is. Now each one is married and raising their own. For many years I could have competed for dirtiest laundry pile, especially after troop camp outs. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement for Scouts, and for your very original show. We look forward to watching each new one.
Thanks again
Kathy

[Tim Shea]

Mike,
I enjoy the show! Keep up the good "dirty" work.
Thanks for your words. The young Scouts look up to you and hearing these great thoughts may cause some of them to re-think their "you owe me" attitudes.
I will pass your words along to the Scouts who are nearing Eagle. Thanks!!
Tim-Eagle 1971

[Ranger 1207]

Mike,
You are my hero, LOL! I'm a Girl Scout leader to two troops, and one of my biggest regrets is not staying in GS after Juniors. "Had I known then what I know now...." famous words, but oh, so true. That's why I am trying so hard now to support my kids' involvement in Scouts (Boy and Girl).
I've sent a copy of your letter to my son's Scoutmaster, and I will also be sharing it with my Cadette troop. Some of them are considering their Silver Awards right now, and I hope they will someday consider their Golds.
It is true it's hard to be different, and no one feels that pressure to conform more than our kids. Still, I hope they will find the strength to be different and unique, and to realize that their uniqueness is a gift to themselves.
Thank you for your words and inspiration. Keep up the great work. We look forward to seeing what dirty mess you've gotten yourself into each week. I love your show because you celebrate the dignity of doing your best no matter what the job, and that hard work has an honor all its own. Thank you again.

Ranger,
Girl Scout Troops 1207 & 486
& (hopefully) future Eagle Scout Mom.

[Dan]

Mike
Great message about life!

I shared it with the staff and key volunteers throughout southwest Michigan that help serve over 10,000 scouting families!

Keep doing the great things you do!

Dan-Eagle Scout '85.

[Patrick]

Totoly Radical dude!!!

[Patrick]

WOW!!!!! (You left me speechless!)

[Michael]

Dear Mike,
I am currently a WeBeLoS 2 getting ready to cross over to Boy Scouts in Febraury. I found this info very helpful to help me reach Eagle Scout.
Thank you,
Michael

P.S. Keep on making your episodes!

[Dennis Hallman]

Mike,
Great message. As an Eagle Scout(1971) and the father of an Eagle(2001) I know what it means to earn this rank. It wasn't easy years ago and it has become more of a challenge with every thing that pulls at the boys these days besides their friends. Those that have made it have been very glad they did. Many that fell short for one reason or another have told me they have regretted not working a little harder and going that extra step. I will pass this on to the boys in my troop and the troop I am unit commissioner for. I think it is an important message for them to read.

[M. Stripes]

Wow, I an impressed with your advice, being that I am a Star Scout for life! I was much too busy in my youth chasing girls, running a Troop as an SPL helping the younger Scouts learn Scouting skills that I neglected to advance myself. One of my few regrets in life! Congratulations to you for attaining Eagle Scout! As an Adult I am very active in Scouts I am passing this Blog along to other members of my District Committee. Are you also OA?

WWW,
Mark Stripes
T493 Ellensburg WA
Chinook Chapter OA Adviser
Unit Commissioner
District Committee Member

[Alex K]

Hey Mike, I am Alex K and I am a boyscout who is working on his life and Eagle right now and your response is pushing me to get Eagle even harder. When kids today hear of going camping for a few days in the outdoors they cringe, but I love it. Being with nature, your buddies, and having a grand old time while learning many of life's lessons is why I love scouts.

[Jim Bennett]

Mike - you're the man. Keep on making the rest of us Eagles who work Dirty Jobs that we're not alone. I've been chosen for everything from colleges to jobs to friends over 100+ applicants b/c I was the 1/100. Thanks Mike and Yours In Scouting,

Jim

[Barb Moulton]

I really enjoyed reading this. I had 3 boys who got Eagle. I have 3 grandsons and only the youngest stayed in scouts. He is working on his Eagle project today. We are so very proud of him, even when the boys in his class make fun of him. He just tells that that someday they will regret that they quit scouts. He has gone to summer camp every year, in fact this year he went for 3 weeks. He is very involved in his troop and is very involved in Order of the Arrow. He is only 14, but wants to continue to be in scouts even after he gets his Eagle. Thanks for such inspiring words.

[Diane]

Mike, thank you for this wonderful post. I too am a Scout leader who plans to share your words far and wide. What a great way of expressing some very to-the-point ideas.

[grant rissley]

i am 13 first class and need one eagle merit away from star and you no what almost every eagle merit is boring long and hard to get. i am from troop 218 oak creek milwaukee county council in milwaukee wisconsin

[tyler]

I am a life scout working on my eagle, i have the presure that you talk about behind me, being the third generation to get my eagle, One of the things that keeps me wanting to work is not the pressure, it really turns me off of the goal, but eagle scouts like you that understand that i as a scout have to chose, and even if you are asked to help presure me into earning an award that will make everyone else happy for me, that you show the true ideas of scouting, the idea that it is youth lead, and in that the youth have to decide how far they want to go.

Thank you for not telling scouts they should get their eagle just because it "looks good" i wish more adults in scouting had this atitude about eagle, i think more boys would go and make the choice if it was truly theirs to make.

[Bryan McCormick]

Mike,
My name is Bryan McCormick, an Eagle Scout and an OA member. Hearing about this post and reading, I have a question for you and maybe even a job for you, if your interested... The question and job, will entail doing dishes for 600+ people, moving tables and benches, and various other things, the main reason is that since Cub Scouting is down, we would like you to talk to these kids to keep them interested and active. I can tell many people love you and your show and seeing you helping these Cub Scouts would very emensely appreciated by us. If you would please emaail me back, then we could get this "Dirty Job" squared away...

Thank you very much,

Yours in Scouting,
WWW
Bryan McCormick

[N.T.]

Thanks so much for this post Mike. I found the link to this post off the Eagle's Nest group on LinkedIn.com. From a fellow Eagle, congratulations brother. Your advise is spot on. Keep up the dirty work, and if that cleans up, try getting your own advice show.

Again, thanks for the advice and congratulations.

[Mycroft]

Only issue I have with your entire blog is that the stat is 1.8% of boys who enter the program, not 1%

I made it, but neither of my brothers did. And I about dragged one of them behind me to Life.

Eagle Class of 1974
NESA Life Member
District Advancement Chair (That means I get to sit on EBORs when I want to!)
ASM
I used to be a Buffalo....

[Sherrie]

Mike,You are an incredible man to respond to Gary's request with such wisdom and discernment.  I pray that Kelby will choose well. Your thoughts remind me of the book Do Hard Things. On behalf of scouting parents, thanks for taking the time.
Wolf Cub Mom

[Elizabeth Knowles]

Excellent question....excellent answer.

[Vivianne Foppa]

One more time: lovely!!

Viv

[Adam L.]

I am 24, and obtained my eagle right before my 18th birhtday, literally weeks before. However the payoff has been awesome. Its was hard to talk about among friends at times cuz no one else really does it, but down the road, the college and career I have obtained are much due to it. The eagle scout award actually got me in the door with an Engineering company when I was younger, and now that I am out of college, it has provided much leverage to get into bigger and better posititons of management, mind you I am only 24.

[Mike W.]

I don't think there is a single Scout Troop with a website that isn't going to link to this letter. Thank you for not taking the obvious (and potentially insincere) route of trying to whip up inspiration the old-fashioned way. You are absolutely right... not everyone is cut out for it. At the time, I wasn't. I never reached Eagle. In fact, I never advanced past 2nd Class Scout. I don't think any amount of chest-thumping attempts at inspiration would have convinced me at the time to push any harder. Those attempts would have sounded hollow to me. But, if someone had explained to me then, as you just did, why achieving Eagle Scout rank (or overcoming other difficult challenges in life) is the way it is, I may have listened. The lessons I learned in Scouting have stayed with me throughout my entire life, and I have carried the spirit of service with me always. I joined the military, became a police officer in my hometown, and now I'm working on a teacher's license so I can teach high school history. The friends I made as a Scout are still my friends today. I returned to Scouting as an Assistant Scoutmaster, and I am thrilled to be able to give back to an organization that has given me so much. I hope Kelby sees your letter for exactly what it is: genuine inspiration, not to simply "snap to" and get with the program, but to look within himself and decide FOR HIMSELF if this is what he wants, and if he is ready for it. The decision should not come from his friends telling him Scouting is not cool or from his father telling him that it is... but from himself. I hope just as much that Kelby's father Gary takes the same message and lets Kelby be what Scouting's lessons have hopefully helped him become: a responsible man, capable of making his own informed decisions, and worthy of our respect. Thank you.

[Alan]

My dad never got past First Class back in the late 30s but encouraged me through my Eagle rank ('66) and I did the same for my son ('04). The leadership skills he learned in organizing and managing his Eagle project keep popping up as he moves through college. Whether it's in a part-time job or some extracurricular activity, people very quickly realize they can depend on him for organizing and leading others to accomplish whatever task is at hand.

I'm still actively involved in Scouting (Committee Chair at the moment, past Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster) and just finished my Wood Badge. They'll have to kick me out to get rid of me...I watch the boys in our Troop turn into capable young men and realize how important Scouting is in their development.

[Jim]

Hey Mike,

I wanted to say thanks for posting this inspirational message to prospective Eagle Scouts. I only got my eagle about a year and a half ago now, and I can honestly say there was a time when I thought about stopping too. Scouts didn't seem cool anymore, and many of my friends ahd already dropped out. Before I made a big mistake, however, I sat down and thought about all the challenges I ad overcome. To stop would have been such a let down. So now, after passing my board, I can easly say that perservering to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout is the greatest accomplishment of my life. All of the long hours and hard work over the years is well worth it. To all those scouts out there on the verge of making Eagle, I encourage you to go for it. All the time you will spend working toward Eagle will be well worth it.

Jim-Eagle Scout 2007

[Steve Hoagland - AdvanceCamp Founder]

We would be honored to have you come to our event next September to talk directly to scouts here in Antioch, CA. working towards the eagle rank to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts.

[Sue]

Thanks for the great comments. I have 7 sons. Six of them are eagles scouts and the youngest is 13 looking for an eagle project. He will soon be an eagle like his brothers. I have to say some were easier to get through the program than others but they all thanked us for the support and encouragement(if you can call it that) we gave them. They don't regret earning the eagle. Scouting is an incredible program. I am glad we've had the opportunity to be a part of it.

[Bruce]

Mike.

From a 16 year Scoutmaster, one who didn't earn his Eagle rank, a father whose two sons did earn it, and an avid fan of your show, great, great message. There were many times when I wasn't certain my sons would reach it but they, alone, dug down and decided to go for it. I am also proud to say that I and the others in our troop have had the pleasure of seeing 19 boys in the troop, many with the same conflicts of it not being cool, reaching Eagle in the past 16 years. Thanks for taking the time to share with this young scout.

Yours in Scouting,
Bruce (always dirty in the Northeast)

[Paul Vigeant]

I was pleased to find out that you are listed as an Notable Eagle Scout. I found this out when I recieved my 2008 Eagle Scout Roll of Honor. Just one Question: What year did you recieve your Eagle Scout?

[Russ Lescault]

Mike, From a former scout who did not make eagle, your perspective of how hard it is to achieve Eagle hit the nail right on the head....GREAT comments!

Hopefully my 17-year old son, who's currently working on his eagle project will take your words to heart. As he has gottn older and his interests have naturally changed, two things have been constant in our relationship...scouting and watching your show.

Thanks for putting Boy Scouts, Eagle scouts in particular, out front where it belongs.

By the way, have you ever thought of putting your Eagle Scout thoughts on YouTube or doing a dirty job special on scouts?

thanks for all that you do,

Russ Lescault
Moseley, Va

[Jennifer]

Inspiring Mike. I've shared this with all my friends. This is a great message for everyone. It not only addresses Eagle Scouts but can relate to many situations in life for our children. Thanks for sharing.. and we love your show!

[Michael Burke]

Mike,
I am a Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 343 in Twin Lakes Wisconsin. I want to say that Scouting is one of the best things my son and I ever got into. I also love to see all the boys enjoying something so meaningful with there parents. My son has moved on to Boy Scouts and I will to eventually. I hope your views on Scouting will urge more boys and parents to join Scouts. Our children are our future! Scouting helps to create the leaders of our future! Thanks again Mike.

[Donna]

Mike, do you acknowledge Eagle Scouts at all? When our 16 year old son who always watches Dirty Jobs, was about to have his ceremony earlier this year we tried to contact you to see if you would send him some kind of acknowledgement for reaching the rank of Eagle Scout but we never heard from you. If you do acknowledge them if you could let us know were to write we would really appreciate it. By the way what was your Eagle Project?

Thanks

[Troop 834 Eagle Parent]

Mike,

Loved your letter. My 18-yr old son just received his Eagle after joining the troop in 2001. The beginning years of Boy
Scouting were fun and filled with camping, hiking, skiing and making new friends. Along the way, he completed merit
badges. Just when we thought he was close to Eagle, junior and senior years of high school got in the way; and driving.
Then, scouts who joined the troop with him, starting dropping out. He spoke of quitting many times. After two years of little activity, he finally moved forward thanks to encouragement from troop adult leaders and especially his Eagle mentor. He finished the last of his 5 Eagle-required merit badges (restarting some all over again for the 3rd time)and he finished his Eagle project one month before he turned 18. After completion of the project, he stood back and reflected on what just happened. He was relieved that it was finally over, that all problems were solved, and amazed that so many friends and fellow scouts came to help. He accomplished a major step in his life. Thanks for your
encouragement to future Eagle.

[Joe]

Mike,
A lot of our scouts are fans of Dirty Jobs and you've just hit the nail on the head! As you said, Eagle rank is not something you can be pushed toward or dragged to. . .the scout has to want it.

Keep up the good work and thanks for inspiring a lot of young men to roll up their sleeves, work hard and EARN that Eagle rank!
Yours in Scouting,
Joe - T200 Scoutmaster

[Shirley/Boy Scout Troop 9/Atkinson NH]

Mike, OUTSTANDING RESPONSE, but I would expect no less from an Eagle Scout. My son is 13 and a Star Scout, loves your show and it absolutely knocked his socks off that you are an Eagle Scout. I have printed your response and sent it to our Scoutmaster and requested he send it to all the boys in our Troop.

As the mother of a Scout and a Scouter (Treasurer, Merit Badge Counselor and Jack of All Trades in the Troop) I see lots of boys whose parents want the award more than the boy does. Your response puts the whole thing in the right light.

Thank you and thanks for a great show too!

[C.J]

thanks for a great Post Mike
I myself am an eagle

we need more influential men in who are Eagles in our society to encourage the youth

[Jack Hansen]

Mike,

I have been working towards my eagle on and off lately, and more than once almost run out of energy to go on, but readung this, (which was sent to me by my scoutmaster) I understand exactly what you meant and it helps me to know that I am not alone in these thoughts.

Thanks again for your help,
Jack

[Alex Thomas]

Mike,

I'm an Eagle Scout myself at age 14. As an Eagle Scout, we take the hard path. I absolutely agree with what you've told Kelby! An Eagle Scout is a challenge that mustn't be taken at face value. An Eagle Scout is dedicated, the main reason that one would attain Eagle Scout. There is no real way to describe what it is, you just have that feeling, that sense of pride knowing that you have done what 99 of 100 others couldn't do. Don't you agree?
I hate to admit it, but I see a lot of young men attain Eagle, then leave their Troop, sometimes because of age, but all too often because they just wanted to be able to say that they are an Eagle Scout, for the resume` value. I have seen this type of Eagle Scout turned out from my own Troop, and I hate to admit it, but they are not good Eagle Scouts. I currently have Star and Life Scouts with more experience and skills within them than some young men that claim the title of Eagle Scout.
As the Senior Patrol Leader of 50-60 young men in Troop 525 of Edgewood, Washington, I have yet to feel the pride in knowing that I was in position and assistance when one of my peers attain such a prestigious rank, though I have quite a few well on the way, some with only their Eagle Project remaining. I have no doubt that these young men will become fantastic Eagle Scouts and accomplish great things in their lives, always doing their duty to others.
If I may repeat it, from an Eagle Scout that used to be in Kelby's position, you must take it upon yourself to persist to becoming an Eagle. In becoming an Eagle, you have the opportunity to distinguish yourself from others, not with a title, but with what that title means, with your actions. People would ask me to do things on the weekend, but I had to refuse because I told them that I was Scouting, and they made fun of that. But know this: I have learned more in my career of Scouting than some of those who laughed at me might learn in a life time. You have been given an opportunity, but you are the only who can make the decision if you want to push on through the challenge, or are you going to quite because some people think Scouting isn't 'cool'. I'll tell you this: with the experience of leadership you learn in Scouting, I'm pretty sure that down the road, a good job will be pretty cool, and all your friends will regret that they didn't accept the challenge.
So Mike, right on for showing the truth! No one can affect a minds man but himself.
I heard that you were an Eagle Scout during a ScoutMaster Minute I had recently. It was about this. Hearing that you told this young man, Kelby, the right thing, I saw that light a fire in the hearts of some of the young Scouts in my Troop, 525, and I like where their heads are.
Thanks Mike!
Also, hearing that you were an Eagle Scout raised a few questions in me:
1. What Troop/where are you from?
2. When did you attain Eagle Scout?
3. What was your Eagle Project?
4. What's was your favorite Merit Badge?
5. What was your hardest Merit Badge?
6. Any advice for a current Eagle Scout and young men on the
Trail?
I'm sure I'm not the only one curious.

Again, thanks a lot Mike!!!

Eagle Scout, 525, Edgewood, Washington
Alex Thomas

P.S.
Awesome show! I watch all the time.

[Alex]

Mike, as an Eagle Scout I know exactly what you mean. And for that boy Mike is 100% right. Its a hard choice to make and its something that you need to decide and is it worth it yes, but its something you got to do. I remember that I fell into the same thing, I didnt want it and wanted to be around friends and not be judged and liked. But then it came down to it and I felt it was time to take a different road. Like Mike said, doing something outside the so called "Norm" are the things that have affected and helped me the most in my life.

Thats just my two sense

Alex

[Connor]

Mike, I am 16 and was rushing to be done with my project before the review board two days from then, I have to thank you because it really inspired me to get it done,I really wasn't sure about it

[AussieRodney]

Here's it a Queen's Scout & the presentation is made by the Governor-General of Australia.

Permit me to relay a story. I was sitting in the shopping centre last week when I spotted one of my old Cub Mums, from nearly 10 years ago. She told me that her son (I sometimes wondered whether he'd ever come out of his shell) had finally been convinced to make it to the National Jamboree, & she said, "It was the making of him" before he went off to College (you call it Senior High). All things are possible!

[Linda]

Hello Mike,
I am a Den Leader of 8 Web II's who will be crossing over to Troop in March 2009. 3 of the 8 have informed our den that they want to go on to be Eagle Scouts. They have been saying this since they were Tigers, 5 years ago.
I am going to bring a copy of your inspiration to the next den meeting to present to the Web's.
Thanks for the reality check.
Linda Mardanes
Pack 38, Claremont, NH

[Mike Wilhelm]

Thank you Mike.

I have forty years of scouting today and it is great to such examples of men whom other young growing men can look up too. I read your letter last night at our meeting. We have 54 scouts and one is about to celebrate his achievement in a week or so. Many of our youth are at that age of sports, girls, and peer pressure. You letter will reach and profoundly affect not one boy, but many.

Thank you again from Greeley, Colorado

[Vincent]

Hi Mike,

Great post.

I'm an Eagle (1991). I've since become a lawyer (yeah, I know, boo, hiss.) Honestly, in job interviews, my Eagle gets more comments and impresses more interviewers than does anything else I've done since.

Tell your kids - achieving Eagle says something about you to people through the rest of your life.

Love the show. Bring back the monkey lady.

[chris marx]

What a great response to the question.

"I’ll just tell you straight up, that doing something extraordinary can be very lonely, and most people simply aren’t cut out for it."

[Robert]

Over the years since receiving my Eagle Scout award in 1980, I have heard many grown men express regret over having not completing the requirements for Eagle Scout.

However, I have never heard one grown man express regret over having completed the requirements.

[Denty 1910]

Mike,

This is truly insperational. From an Eagle Scout who suffered through the same dilemas as you had said I understand how Eagle is an accomplishment. I have always been a fan of the saying "if you're going to do something, do it right" and that is exactly what this inspires. My former troop just fell into dismay and I hope that your blog will help the new scouts as well as the ones who are on the wall of whether or not to stay in from making the wrong decision.

thanks,
denty

[Chris Sheridan]

Mike,

I love you shows, and after this post I gained a great respect for you as a person. I could not ecco your thoughts more!

As a father (Life Scout and now Asst. Cub Master) with a young son who is just starting his scouting career (Tiger) and another two years away from starting, your word are an insparation to me to make sure I give the kids every opportunity to be special and show there stuff.

Thank you

[Barry Goff]

Mike,

I appreciate your comments and thoughts towards the Boy Scouts of America and The Eagle Scout Award.

Once an Eagle, always an Eagle!

Now that the word is out, you are going to be even busier.

Scout's Honor!!!

Thanks much,

Barry Goff
Pikeville, KY

[Eric]

As a 17 year old kid who has earned his eagle scout, i believe this is some of the best advice I've heard in a very long time. Not only is it great advice for scouts, but it is a great tid bit of advice for life. I appreciate how you didn't become preachy; as a teenager, that is the last thing i want to hear and is never very effective in getting me to do something. I would guess this is the way with most teenagers. I sincerely hope that parents realize that forcing someone to accomplish the rank of eagle is not the same as the scout earning it on their own. To pressure someone in to earning the rank is to take away the sense satisfaction and of self accomplishment that comes when you take you your oath. Thanks Mike and if you don't mind i will continue to share your wisdom to all boys in my troop.

Yours in scouting

-Eric

[Cliff - Assistant Scoutmaster/Life to Eagle Coordinator]

Mike,
Monday night I was trying to drag a scout across the finish line for Eagle. His dad was begging us to say something to change the boy's mind. The next morning I received this post. I have sent it to the boy and will continue to encourage him to get a fire in his heart to finish what he has started.

Thank you for your words and your show. My sons (1 Eagle, 1 Life, 1 First Class and 1 Wolf Cub) all love your show. They were impressed by your thoughts on Eagle as well. Each of them is extraordinary in some way. It is my hope they will all have the Eagle Award as a common extraordinary accomplishment.

[Bert]

Thanks for sharing that letter! I'm active as a leader in scouts and plan to share it with others.

[Dave, Scoutmaster Troop 113, Proud Eagle Scout Parent]

Dear Mike,

What a great note, my son Dan could have been inspired by it back in the fall of 2005. He was on e merit badge and an Eagle project away from Eagle. He seemed to have lost his motivation, and was getting close to 18. I will admit I was ready to give up on bugging him, but my buddy and fellow scouter kept me motivated. Dan ended up building a 40-foot bridge in the middle of a NY winter. He finished his last merit badge 2 days before his 18th birthday. His paperwork was submitted 1 day before he turned 18, and I think several years later he is starting to realize what a great accomplishment Eagle is. I have always enjoyed your show, but I will look at it in a different light knowing what an upstanding example you are.

Thanks,

Dave

[Colby -- Eagle Scout '84]

Mike,

I just learned two things about you. In a piece I saw on TDC, I learned that you grew up in Baltimore; I inside the DC beltway of MD. I also learned through this blog, that we share the honor, and responsibility, of being Eagle Scouts.

As you recall when you were presented with your award, we are unique and are given the charge to return back to others the opportunity/gift we have been given.

You have clearly done that with this reply to a father who is trying the impossible; and you are correct. Many "boys" will join scouts. Of those 500 who thought about joining, or didn't, I believe that, nationally, only 100 will join and only about 2 will attain the rank of eagle.

However, those two will go on to be scout leaders, community leaders, business executives; the best of their chosen vocation. You are an example of this, in many ways, and you are right on the mark that we stand out in a crowd.

As a SM for the last decade, prior to having any of my own children, and now as a Cub Scout Leader with my first son, I look around the groups of scouts and scouters and without looking at their uniforms, I have a pretty good idea who attained, or will attain, the rank of Eagle.

Not every scout is meant to do so. I have been very fortunate to graduate several Eagle scouts during my tenure; many more will come after them due to the Leaders and Eagle Scouts who remain in my absence.

Through out thier seven years as Boy Scouts, we have so little time with our scouts that no leader, especially without parental involvement, can make an Eagle from a scout who DOESN'T want to. For those who do want to, we leaders are fortunate to be able to help them along the trail. They make us better as we help them grow.

While no reciprocity is ever sought beyond the thanks and handshakes, it is truely humbling to recieve notice that a scout you lead as a "boy", Eagle or otherwise, has chosen to volunteer as a Scout Leader and make a difference in the life of young men. Perhaps someday the young man about whom you replied will become a leader, if not an Eagle. It seems, though that he is still young enough to learn more about resolve and self confidence. Perhaps we who seek to influence his, may yet get through.

Thank you to all who have shared this blog and its replies, but most importantly, thank you Mike Rowe for being the leader that you are and making a difference in the lives of so many, not just scouts and Eagles!

[Dan]

Since our three sons are Eagle Scouts, I believe it is instructive to note that according to the following link to the National Eagle Scout Association website, 5% of all Scouts achieve the Eagle Rank.

http://www.nesa.org/trail.html

[scoutman778]

Mike,
As a 17 year old Boy Scout who has been on the edge of earning Eagle for many years now, I have truly taken your words to heart. I, nor anybody else, could have put into such frank, yet truthful words what it takes to become an Eagle Scout. When my Scoutmaster first read your letter at a Troop Meeting on an ordinary Wednesday night, it sent chills up my spine thinking about what it truly means to be an Eagle Scout. So I guess what I am trying to say is: Thank You!

[Nathan Lee]

My father sent me a link to this today, and I have to say it made me feel really good. Being an eagle scout alone doesn't do much for you in terms of knowledge (I know more about tying knots and camping then most, and I still remember the basics of first aid, but not much else). What the biggest thing for me is the accomplishment. Around one percent of the BSA makes eagle, its not difficult, but it is an accomplishment, self induced.

This goal involves more than the boy scouts, its about how you go through life. I learned how to solve the Rubiks cube, and now I can solve it in about a minute (I'm working down my time). I still remember having a blast in the school play. I remember learning how to forge iron and mold pewter, all of which I'm proud of, and not many know how to do. Anyone can float by, but it takes a someone special to push themselves forward.

[Paul Lemke]

Mike,

I hope that every Scout and parent will pay heed to your words. The Eagle Scout award is not for everyone, it truly is a mark of character and individual drive to finish the capstone of Boy Scouting. In this politically correct day and age, there are many who expect every boy to get the Eagle award but, when everyone is equally rewarded, there is nothing to inspire individuals to strive above and beyond. I have sat on several Eagle review boards where we seriously questioned whether or not the candidate truly deserved the award or if they had been accelerated through the ranks just so they could be one of the “elite”. My father actually sat on an Eagle review board once who found the Scout did not even know the basic knots needed to get the Pioneering skill award let alone the merit badge. That particular board actually rejected the Scout’s application and the rejection resulted in his troop’s leadership being investigated for misconduct.

The fact that the Eagle award only goes to those who truly deserve the recognition is not to say that those who do not get their Eagle cannot be extraordinary but earning the Eagle award is a mark of character that is reflected throughout one's career. Every single employer I have had since college has mentioned that the fact that I had received my Eagle made me stand out from the other candidates and got me my job. My father never got past the rank of Star (something he regrets to this day) but he has spent over forty years as a Scouting leader and has earned the privilege of wearing leader tabs for all BSA organizations including the silver and gold tabs of district and national offices. In his business life, he has also stood out as an individual of character and drive but this is something his employers had to learn about him rather than something they would have assumed if he had earned his Eagle.

The principles of Scouting and my father’s and mother’s (also a Scouting leader of excellence) examples of service and leadership have always been the basis for how I approach life. Even the setbacks and stalls I encountered upon my route to receiving my Eagle taught me how to overcome challenges placed in my path. My high school dream was to be a Navy aviator and then an astronaut but the world changed while I was in college and those opportunities closed for me. Having learned in Scouting that obstacles were only unmet challenges I spent over a decade pursuing another career path away from the aerospace engineering field I had trained for. Through hard work and the drive to always be the best (both traits I learned in Scouting) I eventually found myself working for NASA, not as an astronaut but as someone who is making it possible for astronauts to reach for the stars again. If I had not gotten my Eagle, many of the opportunities that eventually got me to where I am today would not have been open to me.

I encourage every boy to strive for the Eagle award even if your friends discourage you. Teenagers always want to fit in with the crowd as that is comforting, but consider your future, do you want to always be comfortable, or do you want to the chance to see and do amazing things? If you want to do more with you life than what is comfortable, ignore the attempts by your friends to keep you at their level and try for the Eagle award. Even if you do not make it the lessons you learn along the way will serve you well in your future.

Paul Lemke, P.E. – Eagle 1988

[Rick]

Mike, As everyone else I enjoy your show. I am not an Eagle and was not involved in Scouts as a youth. My first exposure to Scouting was as an Adult in the military stationed in Wichita, Kansas at a Council Jamboree. I was really upset with being in the military and being assigned "water trailer" duty to a bunch of boys. As I performed my assigned duties, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with both youth & adults attending this event. I was hooked. When I became Scoutmaster for my Troop, I gave a similar speech.....still give it today. I assured that we WOULD NOT produce mass quantities of Eagle Scouts and that every boy would not achieve that rank. However, I also assured everyone that their lives would change, the Troop would belong to the youth, and ALL opportunities will be available for those that want to EARN the Eagle Scout Rank. Our Troop has doubled in size, camp out every month, meet every week (minus 4 special days), conduct community service projects, and most importantly.....
WE HAVE FUN! Thanks for your insight pertaining to the Eagle rank, it is posted at our Troop.
YIS Rick

[Ryan Hickok]

Mike,
This is truly inspirational. I myself and my older brother are both Eagle Scouts and very proud of it. It was really great to read this perspective of being unique is more hard than that of following the crowd. It just makes me so happy to see that someone of your fame is there to support the youth in this program and inspire them to reach their goals. Thank you so much!!

Ryan - Minneapolis, MN
Eagle Scout

[Don Eastman]

Mike...as the father of an Eagle Scout, and going as far as a Life Scout myself, I find your words simple yet profound. I hope that they can inspire younger scouts to put forth the effort necessary to become one of the "elite" few. Our state (Arkansas) has a large newspaper and once a week they list the young men that have recently earned their Eagle Scout and approximately 80-90% of all the young men are listed as 18 years old! This tells me, as has happened in my own troop, that the boy has waited till the last minute and was proded into action by his parents or scoutmaster or by whatever means to get busy and get their project or merit badges done before they turned 18. I know that their lives are filled with distractions--basketball, football, peer pressure, girls!--you name it's out there to get young scouts UNFOCUSED!!! We need, Scouting needs!, men of your notariaty and public exposure to come forward and say what you said and only hope that it impresses them enough to get them motivated. To me, and to a lot of people in this county, the Boy Scouts of America is the greatest youth organization in the world, bar none! When a young scout gets so, so close...we need men like you, men that, when they were boys, that have been there--and done that, to speak out, and hopefully can make the difference in his life--to inspire him to make that one last push and to not give up when victory is in sight. Thank you Mike for speaking up.....don eastman

[Becky- GS Gold Award '88]

What a great letter Mike! My Uncle, brother, and a few cousins are all Eagle Scouts, and I earned the Girl Scouts' Gold Award. You're definitely right, it wasn't the easy choice, but I'm eternally grateful that I followed through. I am now a mom to two boys, one is a Scout working toward, one just left Scouting because it didn't interest him anymore.

I maintain Boy Scout Troop 97's website, and will post a link to your letter there. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Brian]

Hi Mike,
I like others on here was "Lifer" scout who didn't make Eagle as a Scout. Too many other distractions as a teenager.
I took the easy way out, but always tried to live by many of the Scouting princibles.
I like the values and responsiblilities it teaches boys and young men. Not to mention the commaraderie and outdoors fun! Teaches alot to many fathers of Scouts who weren't Scouts themselves as boys.
I have a 11 year old Tenderfoot scout and my 15 year old son just got his Life badge.
I am fortunate that he wants to continue and get his Eagle.
As he says, I don't want to be like everyone else. I LIKE being different. As an ASM to his troop, I am forwarding your letter to the other ASM's and am printing it out for our Scouts to read. I am hoping it will inspire some of our Scouts to continue the hard work and sacrifice to make Eagle. The ones that do and have, should be EXTREMELY proud of their accomplishment. It should be a reminder to them that they have shown the ability to accomplish any hard task and to always strive to live by the code of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. And to ALWAYS try their best and do the right thing.
I do have to make one comment on what one of the Mother's said in an earlier post that one of her sons made Eagle at 12. I hope that that is a typo.
If not please explain how to me that your son made Eagle in less than 2 years. Starting Boy Scouts at 11. He would have to make First Class in less than 8 months. Since a Scout has to serve 4 months not only in the Troop, but in a leadership position as well, between First Class and Star, 6 months between Star and Life, and 6 months between Life and Eagle. Not to mention the 21 Merit Badges, some which take 3 months in and of themselves. Or the Eagle Project, MONTHS of planning, fund raising, doing the project and writing it up.
Must be one VERY Special kid.

YIS,

Brian
ASM
LOVE the Show by the way Mike!
Plenty of Dirty Jobs at ANY of the High Adventure Camps!
Love to see you at one!

[Nancy Murphy]

I am a proud Mom of an Eagle Scout, achieved in Nov. 2004. Yes there were times he did not want to go to scouts, there were times he wanted to quit, but we pushed on, I did I admit! LOL And now he is 22 and is so proud of himself. He did not realize what it would mean when he was younger but now he brags about the awesome experiences he had in scouting. High Adventure, all the camping and the friends he made. And of course the work and accomplishment of Eagle. He thanks me for encouraging him to complete what he started at Tiger rank. Good luck to all Scouts. Finishing is worth it you will see!

[brent]

where you worried about thous rattle snakes.

[Felix Trujillo]

Mike,
Wow you really have hit the nail right on the head. I am the proud father of an Eagle Scout and Future Eagle Scout (if that is what he wants.) My Daughter is well on her way to achieving her Gold Award too.
As an ASM I like to believe that I have over 80 sons that are potential Eagle Scouts, and over 3 dozen that have become Eagle Scouts while I have been involved in Scouting as an Adult.
Sadly, my one true regret is not being an Eagle myself (Life.) Perfume, Gasoline, and Wrestling were my speed bumps to completion of my project. So your letter really hit close to home with me. I only hope it hits home with my potential Eagles...
I have shared your words with all the adults in our Troop and it will definitely be read as a "Scoutmaster Minute" for all my potential Eagle Scouts!

Thank you for keeping scouting on your radar.
Once a scout, always a scout, once an Eagle FOREVER an Eagle.

Stay Dirty,

YIS,

Felix C. Trujillo II

[Ryan]

I just got my Eagle at the end of August and so far is the accomplishment i am most proud of. This letter is spot on because its so easy to get distracted by sports, school, girls, ect. You realy have to be passionate about scouting, your self, and those around you to achieve the title of Eagle.

[Chuck---Scoutmaster[going on 20 yrs.]]

That is telling it the right way! I recently had my 31st. eagle as scoutmaster and tell every scout the same story but in my own words. I was not able to get my eagle due to personal reasons but give every boy in my troop the best chance to work for that eagle award! Because it will mean more than any other award in their lifes. They have to want it for the right reasons. The Scout oath and laws!

[kevin]

Thanks Mike.
You've shared a very important message. I remember being at my Scout council's annual dinner seated next to our new district chairman. All the Eagle Scouts were asked to stand and when I sat back down, he asked if they ever asked the Life Scouts to stand. He was two merit badges short of the goal when he abandoned it. I'll never forget the look of regret on his face for a missed opportunity. Thanks again.

[george]

Thanks mike I thaught I couldnt make it to eagle but now I'm sure.

[george]

Sorry I spelled thought wrong I wasn't thinking

[Lea G]

Mike,

I have never been in the Boy Scouts, as I'm a girl, and wasn't in the Brownies or anything, when I was younger, but I find what you're saying inspiring. I have great ambition for many things, but I find fear and lack of follow-through holding me back. Which is entirely my fault. I apparently have been one of the 99 out of 100, but I don't WANT to be. I've always FELT like I was supposed to be more than I was, but never did anything about it.

So now I'm 23, half crippled with a long term ankle injury, unable to work, and finding my life very much lacking in direction, and sometimes, the will do anything about it. Being in pain all the time takes a lot out of a person, bur I don't want to spend the rest of my life where I am now.

And that is why I'm very glad that i read what you wrote. It gives me....hope. Something I haven't had in a long time. It also reminds me that I have FIRE in me. I just need to feed it. So thank you for taking the time to answer your fan's questions and doling out advice when we ask, and even when we don't.

I'm so glad that you have found something that fits for you. And thank you for helping me remember that I need to find mine.
Be Happy,
Lea

[Steve]

Mike,

Thanks for your post to the young man, I like you earned the rank of Eagle Scout and it is one of my proudest moments. If I have a son or sons I will encourage all of them to join scouting and hopefully acheive the rank of Eagle because it really does change who you are, I will also encourage any daughters to do Girl Scouts and earn the gold award and hopefully get them into Venturing or Exploring! Scouting has now become something seen as uncool by many and it is a shame, because it is one of the greatest fraternities a young man can join and you truely are a lifetime member and are always welcome to come back to it.

Thanks from a big Fan and fellow Eagle Scout,
Steve-'02

[jimmy moore]

dear mike,
My friend jacob is a second year weblo. He wants to drop out next year.Would you please write me some inspirational words for me to show him?

your viewer,
Jimmy moore

cub pack 968

[Jeff Berdyck]

Mike, The word you said are SO True that we as parents shouldn't push our Scouts to reach Eagle, but to lead and encourage them to finish. I personally am not an Eagle Scout, growing up I did not have this opportunity with my Father. But I am there at every meeting and campout to show my son that I support and admire what it is he is trying to accomplish. Thanks again Jeff Berdyck Long live the Sheep Shank

[Brian Zionts-Bernstein]

Hi Mike,
You are really speaking the truth. If a boy wants to achieve the goal of making Eagle Scout, then he can do it. It would not be meaningful if the parent(s) pushes him through it.

I have told my son that we, my wife and I, are here to support him if he chooses to go for it, but we can't make him. He achieved the rank of First Class within his first year of scouting. However, I have been trying to encourage him to work on merit badges without much success. I will share your words of wisdom with him. Maybe it will help him find the inspiration within himself to move forward towards the rank of Eagle.

We love your show. It is awesome!!!!!! Keep up the great "Dirty" work. ;-)
Thanks,
--Brian

[Cameron]

Hey I am an Assistant Scoutmaster and an Eagle Scout myself. I find that your blog is very true and that it is the easiest thing to do, not make eagle. Making Eagle is one of the hardest things I have ever done myself and I am very proud of making it and I always will be. Nicely said man. And I love the show and the Discovery Channel. Keep up all the good work man.

Cameron
-Florida

[Lester Williamson]

Mike,
I am an Eagle Scout (1977) and it has opened some doors for me that would not have otherwise. I quit scouting for a few years and got back into it after my youngest son saw a Scout Sunday Service awhile back. We joined our church's troop and he qiut a few months later. I stayed in and he has since re-joined with the goal of making Eagle one day. I will have im read your letter with the hopes of it inspiring him to finish. He loves your show.

[brian]

Great comments, they are spot on. As a Scoutmaster I have parents telling me their son's won't make it if they don't push them, they need to get it now before they quit, etc. I tell them who is earning this, you or the boy. It wasn't easy for me or my 2 brothers to earn the rank of Eagle. It wasn't easy for my nephews or my oldest son, now 21. He finished it 4 months before 18 without his dad standing on him constantly to finish. He was able to participate in HS Sports, HS Band, and have a job and still earn Eagle. I know he will never trade away any of his experiences.

I have a 16 year old Life Scout and a 12 year old First class scout who will earn it on their own. The 16 year old is a project away and 12 year old even says "when I get Eagle" never "If".

Please consider having letters for those who make it to put in their book of letters of congratulations.