<p>oaklandmom, I’m sorry for that experience. Ds’s troop had a boy with two moms, and I don’t know anyone who batted an eye. Certainly not around me. As I said earlier, we just wouldn’t be part of a troop who would discriminate in such a way.</p>
<p>ebeeeee, I’m curious as to what kept these cases from attaining Eagle. Did a Scoutmaster ever tell the boys that it was a possibility they wouldn’t earn the rank? Did y’all think the parents did the work?</p>
<p>I’m not sure what conversations the Scoutmaster had with the boys. In the case where I declined to sit on the BOR, I felt the parents had done all the work. Additionally there were lots of pointers toward a lack of character that I felt were inexcusable. It was my feeling that the Eagle was a special rank. Not to be given just because the boy or as was sometimes the case the parents had “met the requirements.” The BOR is supposed to look at the overall person. To award an Eagle because the “work had been done” is an injustice to all the true Eagle scouts who came before this boy. IMHO. YMMV.</p>
<p>
In addition to his extreme political/social views, this was another reason why my son declined to submit for his Eagle. Our troop was developing a rep for handing out Eagles like candy, and when a couple of candidates were pushed (or allowed) through even with substandard performances, my son felt that the award did not mean anything anymore and decided not to be a part of it.</p>
<p>Eventually I also had to resign from the troop committee because I was beaten down at an Eagle BOR when I expressed the view that a particular scout did not deserve the Eagle rank. The idea that a scout should make Eagle because the “work had been done” was just about word-for-word what the district advancement chair said to me when I tried to vote “no”.</p>
<p>oakland mom - if it is not too late, look for another troop. In our area there are MANY to choose from, and I have never heard of a troop being ‘full,’ must be par for the course in some places, but I thought all troops were encouraged to accept anyone who wanted to join. Also our troops require every family to do SOMETHING to support the troop. I LOVE organizations like those!</p>
<p>Congratulations! </p>
<p>I’ve seen my son develop leadership, confidence and communication skills through Scouting. Sounds like your S did, too. Good for him for expressing his opinions.</p>
<p>Good God Oakland! That’s a truly terrible story! Since when does a kid have to be “invited” to join a scout troop? That’s just appalling. I’m so sorry for you and your son. I can’t think of anything else to say not involving swear words–but again, I’m just appalled.</p>
<p>And also congrats to the new Eagle Scout! That’s takes tremendous dedication!</p>
<p>archiemom, glad there are other people out there like me! I didn’t try to vote no I did vote no. In the other case I made it known publicly that I would not sit on the BOR.<br>
I’m sure the parents hate me but I have no regrets.</p>
<p>Well ebeeeee, I wish I was more like you! I went so far as to consult with our district exec about not signing the kid’s application and what the appeal process would be for the scout if I voted no. But in the end, I opted to resign as Committee Chair and not vote at all. After his BOR, this scout never showed up for another troop event/activity/meeting (not that he was contributing much prior to making Eagle). And the troop ended up losing me (probably it’s most active volunteer outside of scoutmasters) and my son, who was easily the most active and well-respected scouts in the troop. Ahhh, principles…</p>