Commentary Archives - Page 4 of 4

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Life Scout to fellow Scouts: Do not rush your journey to Eagle

September 20, 2016 31

Cameron, a Life Scout in Troop 424 of Katy, Texas, wrote a letter encouraging his fellow Scouts to slow down and enjoy the journey to Eagle.

Why shouting ‘sign’s up’ to quiet Scouts is all kinds of wrong

July 6, 2016 77

Leaders know they can conjure calm by raising the Scout sign. But sometimes the sign is accompanied by a not-so-silent exclamation: “Sign’s up!”

My Two Cents: Why it’s OK to wait until age 17 to earn Eagle

May 20, 2016 113

While I commend your fellow Eagle Scouts who earned their badge at 13, 14 or 15, those 16- and 17-year-old Eagle Scouts impress me just as much.

A parent helped build that Pinewood Derby car? Yes, that’s the point

February 12, 2016 236

It was the most beautiful Pinewood Derby car the pack had ever seen. And it was clear that a parent helped build it. But isn’t that the point?

An Eagle Scout project doesn’t have to be permanent

September 21, 2015 91

Physical, construction-based Eagle Scout projects are great. But an Eagle Scout project doesn’t have to be permanent to have a lasting impact.

Eagle Scout: Scouting is ‘the last real experience someone my age can have’

January 16, 2015 62

So much in life these days is simulated that something real and authentic stands out. Thank goodness for Scouting, says Eagle Scout Steven Madigan.

In a time when trust is at an all-time low, I’m thankful for Scouting

December 2, 2013 16

These days it’s hard to trust the driver in the next lane, the teenager swiping your credit card at the drive-thru or the stranger reading your Facebook and Twitter posts. So I’m grateful there’s at

My Two Cents: Does the BSA offer too many merit badges?

June 27, 2012 69

Whenever a new merit badge comes out, a handful of well-meaning volunteers usually ask that question. “If you’re adding Welding merit badge,” they write, “which one will you take away?” For me, though, the beauty