You can’t blame this one on inflation.
More than 60 years ago, the average age of a boy earning Eagle was 14.6. Today it’s 17.1.
As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award this month, it’s a good time to ask: Why the increase?
Are boys simply taking time to enjoy the journey toward Scouting’s top honor? Are they busier with school or extracurricular activities? Or is some other factor at work here?
I do know this: More boys earn Eagle today than ever before, a sign that the program is working. But at the same time, more boys wait until they’re 17 years and 11 months old to finish the journey — raising their parents’ blood pressures in the process.
What do you think?
Why are today’s new Eagle Scouts so much older than Eagle Scouts from a generation ago? Join the discussion below.
Graphic adapted from this official BSA infographic.
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