Eagle Scout Board of Review {Joseph Passed}

Troop mates Caleb and Joseph await their Eagle Scout Boards of Review.

On one hand, Joseph's formal interview for Eagle Scout Rank resembled a 'rubber stamp' experience for a job well done and completed exactly according to the prescribed formula.  

On the other hand, Joseph's Eagle Scout Board of Review included escalating levels of anxiety and a drawn out suspense-filled wait in the hallway after the lengthy interview with an unfortunate precedence nagging his memory, "The last time I had to wait this long for an answer, it was 'No.'"

Whatcom District's Eagle Coordinator gives board of review and public speaking pointers.

Joseph's Scouting career includes many highlights, including serving as Senior Patrol Leader as well as two-time patrol leader of his Burning Bullfrog Patrol.  Jettisoning his patrol to earn the prestigious National Honor Patrol (twice), Joseph's leadership and his patrol's eagerness to achieve set the bar high for Troop 3's other patrols.  Improved communication skills and self confidence blossomed from his experience as troop scribe and chaplain's aid, and various other positions of leadership along the way.  Strong bonds of friendship and healthy doses of competitive sports and group games inspired Joseph to keep suiting up and showing up throughout his years in the troop.

The community Eagle board panel passed Joseph; Mrs. Quinn was his troop witness, and Tim the proud papa.

Paddling the Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit (twice) and hiking the 50 mile North Cascades trek Cross to Ross, along with many other Scouting adventures, Joseph certainly advanced in his leadership and survival skills in the great outdoors as well as the more mundane indoors.  Advancing in character, faithfully living the Scout Oath and Law, and maturing into a fine young man along the trails and trials, Joseph earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts.  When the official application clears the national level, it will be official and Joseph will be awarded the Rank of Eagle Scout.

Congratulations, Joseph!
Congratulations, Caleb!

Outgoing T3 Senior Patrol Leader {Joseph's Term Ends}

Joseph prepares the troop meeting agenda one final time on election night.

Not one who clamors for the spotlight, Joseph served well as the leader of his Boy Scout troop for the past six months as the Senior Patrol Leader.  He faithfully organized the meetings and coordinated the outings, including several grand outdoor adventures.  Joseph delegated as needed and made sure all the various moving parts were in order during his half year term.  Mentored diligently by his Scoutmaster/dad, Joseph worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the events ran smoothly and the collective goals and individual requirements could be achieved.

Holding a scepter of power, soon to be passed off

Adding a touch of charm to everything, and always ready with a grin, Joseph's leadership skills blossomed during his term as SPL.  Having completing his Eagle Scout Project and rank application, Joseph will soon face the district board of review to complete the path from Life Scout to Eagle Rank.

Joseph and Connor lead the troop ASPL elections, collecting ballots to be counted in secret.

Game on!

Highlights of Joseph's term as Senior Patrol Leader:

• Summer camp
• Cross to Ross 50 miler
• Aviation Merit Badge
• Good meetings
• Submitting Eagle Rank application

Introducing the newly elected troop leaders, Joseph prepares to hand off SPL to Connor.

"It was fun while it lasted and it's good to be done." 

~Joseph, Life Scout & outgoing Senior Patrol Leader

Life Rank + New Life {Peter Steps Up}

Peter awaits his Board of Review following his successful Scoutmaster Conference for LIFE Rank.

For our third son, Peter, the question wasn't IF he would earn his Life Rank in BSA, but rather, when.  As he recently stated, "I've wanted to be an Eagle Scout since I was three years old."

Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster, father and son combination

Another goal reached: Peter passed the formal conferences, and having successfully completed every requirement, including a stack of merit badges, he earned the second highest rank in Boy Scouts: Life.  His dedication, spunk and Scout spirit are a delight to behold, and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone his his life; one of a few major milestones for Peter (and our family) this week.

Senior Patrol Leader and older brother, Joseph awards Peter his LIFE badge of rank as Scoutmaster/dad looks on.

Judah and Peter, celebrating LIFE Rank

Before his mission trip to Zambia, Judah B. also passed from Star to Life Rank, but the badge award awaited his return and so coincided with Peter's.  Judah has also set his sights on earning the highest rank in BSA, and will endeavor to complete the requirements and persevere.

Troop 3 leaders at the Patrol Leaders' Council meeting; over half of these are Life Scouts, reaching for Eagle.

Our boys are blessed by the support of such a fantastic troop, and the leadership training and experience inherent in the good 'old' BSA.  Peter's years in Troop 3 will be remembered with fondness and great joy...

...and now he's prepared for his next grand adventure: entering grade 8 studies at Christ the King Seminary in British Colombia, Canada.

God Speed, son, we love you dearly, and you will be dearly missed by many!

Almost Eagle {Board of Review}

Pack 222 Webelos and Bears 2004

One of these Scouts is about to join the Rank of Eagle Scout...

Hints:

• today was his last day of high school
• he earned Life Rank at age 12
• tomorrow he'll be in a cap and gown
• he is an extraordinary young man

Zachary's Board of Review is tonight!!

Scoutmaster Conference {Failed}

Joseph assists Boaz in setting up a camp stove at a recent camp out.

Joseph failed his Scoutmaster conference for Life rank last night. Although he had fulfilled each requirement as listed in the BSA handbook (shown below), he was denied by the adult leaders at the conference, who probably meant well. During his conference one of the adult leaders (an assistant Scoutmaster) dismissed Joseph's troop leadership position (chaplain aid), saying that if the other leadership positions were like books, chaplain aid is like a pamphlet.  Had we known that his leadership position would not 'count,' we would never have encouraged him to seek out a Scoutmaster conference (and board of review). 

Joseph has been elected twice and served as chaplain aid for over a year, leading the troop in prayer every day at summer camp; leading grace before community and patrol meals; and offering prayers when called upon by the senior patrol leader.  The actual hours of service as a chaplain aid may fall short when compared to a senior patrol leader or a den chief.  However, the courage, reverence, and discipline required of a young Scout to stand up and lead public prayer in a multi-denominational setting is admirable and worthy of respect and certainly something that develops his leadership skills.  Somehow, though, his elected term as chaplain aid was deemed 'not worthy' to be counted for the leadership requirement for Life Rank.

Seriously committed to Scouts and to personal development, Joseph is currently serving his second term as patrol leader for the Burning Bullfrog patrol; recently served six months as the assistant patrol leader; and quartermaster.  We are grateful for every adult leader who has worked with Joseph and helped him develop his leadership skills.  Joseph recognizes that he needs to continue to grow and become a better leader.  He admits his weaknesses and willingly practices daily prayer, Mass, and regular confession (reconciliation) to grow in personal holiness (or put another way: to better live the Scout Oath and Law).  

Set backs will happen in life, and it is our faith in God which allows us to put our hope in Him and not in the ways of the world.  The fact that the chaplain aid position is looked down upon should come as no surprise in a world that does not value prayer or union with God. Ultimately, the rewards of eternal life far outweigh the rewards of earning the rank of Life Scout.  

Peter and Joseph at 8 Mile Camp outside Leavenworth, WA. 

Life Rank Requirements

1. Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Star Scout.
2. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
3. Earn 5 more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all), including any 3 more from the required list for Eagle. 
4. While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.
5. While a Star Scout, serve actively 6 months in one or more of the positions of responsibility listed (or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop).
   • Patrol leader
   • assistant senior patrol leader
   • senior patrol leader
   • Venture patrol leader
   • troop guide
   • Order of the Arrow troop representative
   • den chief
   • scribe
   • librarian
   • historian
   • quartermaster
   • bugler
   • junior assistant Scoutmaster
   • chaplain aide
   • instructor
   • troop Webmaster
   • Leave No Trace trainer
6. While a Star Scout, use the EDGE method to teach a younger Scout the skills from ONE of the following seven choices, so that he is prepared to pass those requirements to his unit leader's satisfaction.
   1. Second Class - 7a and 7c (first aid)
   2. Second Class - 1a (outdoor skills)
   3. Second Class - 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f (cooking/camping)
   4. First Class - 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d (first aid)
   5. First Class - 1, 7a, and 7b (outdoor skills)
   6. First Class - 4a, 4b, and 4d (cooking/camping)
   7. Three requirements from one of the Eagle-required merit badges, as approved by your unit leader.
7. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference
8. Complete your board of review.

A Scout is Adorable

Aren't my Scouts adorable?

Here's a brief look at what they're up to in Scouts:

Joseph earned 5 Eagle required merit badges over the past 4 months, and his Star Rank.

He's currently serving as the troop Chaplain's Aid, leading prayers at meetings.

He's always ready to lead or join in a game of any kind.

Zachary is still progressing (slowly but surely) on his Eagle project.  The process of obtaining a building permit for the carport construction is proving to be a project all by itself!  No date has been set for his project, as it all depends on the permit issuance.

Zachary's current position is patrol leader, but rather than calling 

the weekly meeting reminders, they are texted.

He's been working on Ad Altare Dei for about three years, 

and we have high hopes that he will complete it soon.

Peter is well on his way to completing all of his Arrow of Light requirements.  

He's earned over half of the Webelos badges, and his Webelos rank.  

He's halfway through his Parvuli Dei. 

He'll cross over to Boy Scouts in February 2011.

He's come up with some interesting names to throw out for his new patrol come February~ most involving terms like flaming, burning, exploding, charred, etc.

Guess we could have seen that coming with his older brothers' patrols named 

Kentucky Fried Dragons and Burning Bullfrogs.

How will Peter's patrol top names like those?

Suggestions welcome!