What was the Highest Rank in the Boy Scouts

[Mountainman]

thanks W2F! will be looking into that

[Warhoover]

I made Eagle with a Silver Palm. Out of the 23 Eagles my former Troop produced all had one palm or another. I continue to look back on my Scouting years as some of the most fun I have every had in my life. My troop was very active, we would go camping at the drop of a hat. Did not matter how far we had to hike or what ever we were there! We would constantly be asked to put on Pioneering and Orienteering demonstrations for other troops. Attended one of the first Brownsea training courses held here in the US that was a blast. Order of the Arrow was special as well. I was on the sing and dance team (traditional). I do miss it. Unfortunately I could not help produce a male child of my own, and I got involved how I could with my daughters stints in GSA. But it wasnt the same. Could not convience them that it was ok to sleep in a tent. My daughters will but not their troop members or their Mothers. I have thought of getting back involved with a troop or a district again.

My Dad was an old Woodbadger and I would like to do it too. "Back to Gilwell happy land, I'm gonna write my ticket if I can..."

[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.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

did the whole thing
tiger cubs
cub scouts
webelos
boy scouts
fire explorers
5 y.o to 21 y.o.


I earned my eagle, but was never presented with it.....still kinda bummed about that... the troop was on its way out and I happened to be one of the casualities when it happened
was an explorer advisor for 2 years for an EMS post in Denver till the higher ups disbanded it due to something happening 1000 miles away in a different explorer post ( and a different company too)

and now I have a son.........guess I get to do it all over again!!
my dad was a troop leader for a long time, and it was a great way for us to spend time together, I look forward to doing the same!!

KFP

[gseven1]

Scouting was definitely one of the best things I was involved in. Made it to Eagle a month after my 13th birthday. Unfortunately my folks moved the family into an area where the youth seemed to think scouts was uncool so I never had an opportunity to progress beyond Eagle. Really wished I could have however.

[LordKiltClad]

I do miss it. Unfortunately I could not help produce a male child of my own, and I got involved how I could with my daughters stints in GSA. But it wasnt the same. Could not convience them that it was ok to sleep in a tent. My daughters will but not their troop members or their Mothers. I have thought of getting back involved with a troop or a district again.

My Dad was an old Woodbadger and I would like to do it too. "Back to Gilwell happy land, I'm gonna write my ticket if I can..."

How old are your daughters? At age 14 they can join a BSA Venturing Crew. Many crews specialize in high adventure type activities. Camping, Hiking, Rafting, Climbing, etc. They could join a crew and have a better experience than selling cookies. No offense to the GSA, but weighing options. I'd rather go rock climbing than go door to door.

[Alan H]

I finished my Eagle at Age 16 and then busy High School took over. Nonetheless, all those backpacking skills were learned as a Scout, and I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't get up to the Sierra Nevada once or twice every summer.

I was one of the first Scouts to do the White Stag program, actually...

[Mark Keeney]

Me
Eagle Scout 12/30/1971 (not 18 but requirements changed Jan 1)(Scoutmasters conference was in hospital with scoutmaster having kidney stones)
Internationally Famous North Star District (formerly Broken Arrow district)
Heart of America Council (formerly Kansas City Area Council)
Camp Staff 1975, 76, 77
Shaman in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say

Daughter Girl Scouts Of the USA (GSUSA) Gold Award
Venture Crew member
Philmont Staff ranger 2 years

Son Eagle Scout 8/29/2006 (Troops 153rd Eagle)
Tom Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say
Brotherhood Order of the Arrow

I believe that the Queens Scout award is similar.

Mark Keeney