What was the Highest Rank in the Boy Scouts

[way2fractious]

Made tenderfoot. then quit... would like to get into it as an adult... can you do that if you did not make eagle?

One-word answer: Yes.

Longer answer: Go to the district office or "shop" for a troop, offer to volunteer, and be prepared - by taking BSA training for whatever position you find yourself in as a registered adult scouter.

[Fearnest]

Made tenderfoot. then quit. Scout master was a HS spanish teacher. and the troup was through a church, and was not my religion. We did very little outside, our most exciting thing i can remember was playing croquet, which i do not enjoy.
Scouting is a good organization and would like to get into it as an adult, being that i love hiking, camping, and mountaineering. can you do that if you did not make eagle?

One-word answer: Yes.

Longer answer: Go to the district office or "shop" for a troop, offer to volunteer, and be prepared - by taking BSA training for whatever position you find yourself in as a registered adult scouter.

And a different answer - of course you can AND some of my best leaders were never scouts, much less Eagle Scouts! If you really love the outdoorsy stuff and aren't so hot on the advancement, etc. look into getting involved with a Venturing Crew! (The successor to Exploring - high adventure for the 14 to 20 year old men and women.) While there is a "recognition" program, most crews don't bother with that - they just focus on their crew's specialty.

I think this is your local council's website: Conquistador Council, BSA - Roswell, NM

[O'Neille]

I did scouting stuff sporadically as a cub scout when I was a kid in Alaska. I still remember that the first pinewood derby I entered. My brother had made this really cool car. It looked like Chitty Bang Bang in miniature. It didn't go fast but it was the best looking block of pine I had ever seen. My brother is really artistic and did everything on it himself. I still remember that he didn't win the best car award or somewhat because some of the parent/scoutmasters of less talented kids refused to believe he did that work himself. Kind of soured me on scouting. It still bothers me to this day. Of course Alaska in the sixties was worlds away from and not in line w/ what scouting was then. Most of us had mastered a lot of that stuff as a matter of survival. It reminds me of the disclaimer that is part of classic Sesame Street Episodes. "This is for nostalgic entertainment purposes only. Not to be considered educational."


I've noticed from this thread that people have polarizing experiences. I also think your poll doesn't take into account historic changes in BSA. You young whipper snapper you!

[macwilkin]

I was a Cub Scout in elementary school; unfortunately, we had three den leaders in about a year and after the third one, the den folded for good. Instead of trying to find another den, I eventually dropped out of scouting, which is still one of my biggest regrets in life. If I only knew then what I knew now...

I have worked a lot though with both the BSA and the GSA as a park ranger, and a buddy of mine and I tell ghost stories for the latter's leader's weekend at the local GSA camp. This year we're even giving a workshop on Ozarks folklore, and we're hoping to do some similar programs with the local BSA unit as well.

Eventually I would like to become more active with the Scouts, as I always was impressed with the BSA when I worked with them in the NPS. A good organization, over all...I would be proud to be associated with them.

Besides, I want to wear the "lemon squeezer" hat! :mrgreen:

T.