FIRST is an Eagle's Nest!

[Pat Arnold]

I've seen congratulations posted before recognizing FIRST members who've earned their Eagle rank and couldn't resist adding another. It is amazing considering how much dedication is required to complete the badges, leadership and service requirements, that so many are also involved in FRC.

Eagles are soaring on MARS.

MARS Team 1523 proudly recognizes the accomplishments of 2008 student members who recently earned Boy Scouting's highest rank of Eagle. Amazingly these guys come from 3 different BSA troops, but are all active on our team.

Congratulations Alex Trainer, Sean Page, Connor Howe, Nick Clark and Tim Arnold.

(Delayed congratulations to 4 MARS alumni graduates who also earned their rank while with the team: Josh Hobbs, David Hobbs, Patrick Taylor and Patrick Schmidt)

MARS Robotics has no affiliation with BSA, but perhaps we should request the creation of a Robotics merit badge!

[EricH]

MARS Robotics has no affiliation with BSA, but perhaps we should request the creation of a Robotics merit badge!I'm with you on that. 330 has multiple Scouts and Scoutmasters (5 Eagles have been on the team, 3 Lifes are or have been on, 2 of whom are active scouts, and 2 mentors are scoutmasters).

The only problem I can see with a robotics merit badge is that there are a lot of merit badge requirements that can currently be fulfilled--Composite Materials is one of them, there's an electricity merit badge, and even the service hours for some badges can be done by volunteering. Still, it's worth a shot.

I can see the requirement list now: Build a robot to accomplish a task. You must be able to explain what the task is and how your robot accomplishes it, then actually do it.
Show proper wiring procedure.
Explain your programming.
Do you compete against other robots?

[Vikesrock]

Congrats to the new Eagles from1Team 1523!

From a fellow roboticist/eagle it's tough to make time for both but well worth it.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations on earning Scouting's highest honor! I know how difficult the trail can be and I am proud when I hear a FIRST student has attained this high honor. Please come and introduce yourself if we ever attend the same event. I would like to extend my congratulations in person.
Although I am sure you have heard this before, please include this accomplishment on your resume and college applications as well as your FIRST team participation. Yes it means a lot.

[dlavery]

MARS Robotics has no affiliation with BSA, but perhaps we should request the creation of a Robotics merit badge!

Actually, I believe that is already in process. I am aware of two parallel efforts to develop robotics merit badge specifications, one for BSA and one for GSA.


-dave




.

[Graham Donaldson]

Actually, I believe that is already in process. I am aware of two parallel efforts to develop robotics merit badge specifications, one for BSA and one for GSA.


-dave

My parents have been bugging me to work on more Merit Badges for my Palms (I'm done with my Gold Palm now), and that badge just shot straight to the top of my Must-Earn list. Can you give me any more details on the badge, Dave, either here or via PM?

Another thing: I've been thinking about it for a while, but we should definitely start a group to investigate how many Eagles/Scouts/Scouters are active in FIRST- I bet the results would be interesting. Does anyone else think this is a great idea?

[EricH]

My parents have been bugging me to work on more Merit Badges for my Palms (I'm done with my Gold Palm now), and that badge just shot straight to the top of my Must-Earn list. Can you give me any more details on the badge, Dave, either here or via PM?

Another thing: I've been thinking about it for a while, but we should definitely start a group to investigate how many Eagles/Scouts/Scouters are active in FIRST- I bet the results would be interesting. Does anyone else think this is a great idea?
YES. It would be pretty cool just to see the numbers. Too bad I can't get any more badges--I passed my board after I turned 18, but had the paperwork in the day before (and noted as that day).

[DarkFlame145]

gratz, i also just got my Eagle Scout rank also.

[IndySam]

Big congrats to Alex, Sean, Connor, Nick and Tim. As a former scoutmaster I understand what a difficult achievement this is. To do this and FIRST makes it doubly special.


Now to get build season over so my son can finish his project!

Edit: Congrats to you too Dennis.

[wendymom]

Way to go! I know its a tough road and you made it. We have one eagle and another on the way on Exploding Bacon. We would love to help design the badges.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. Congratulations to all, as many have said it's not an easy task by any means and the fact that that many students on your team recently received it is astounding.

[Swan217]

Congratulations! It's definitely an accomplishment considering the dedication it takes to be both an Eagle Scout and a FIRST student (My journey was painful, but worth it.). Don't forget that there are scholarships for Eagle Scouts out there.

Incidently, I just scounged up enough money to get the lifetime National Eagle Scout Association Membership. You won't believe the looks I get when I flash that baby around...

[Pat Arnold]

The pleasure of accomplishment is heightened when recognized by others; thanks CD community for sharing your warm wishes for Alex, Sean, Connor, Nick & Tim. 4 of the 5 students are seniors and have been strongly involved with MARS since 9th grade (in 2005, which was the team's rookie year).

FIRST promotes personal growth & committment to a challenge; it makes sense that future leaders/ innovators would gravitate toward it & scouting. A robotics merit badge will be great (& will allow FIRST & BSA/GSA to combine their vision and reach more youth).

[Jeff Waegelin]

As a fellow Eagle, congrats! It's an accomplishment to be proud of the rest of your life.

[Martinez]

Congratz to the incoming class of Eagle Scouts! We are all proud of your hard work and continuing to make the BSA a strong service based organization. As a Eagle myself (2001), I most certainly see the connection between the BSA and FIRST with the strong committment to personal values and hands on learning. I don't think it makes sense to have a "Robotics" Merit Badge. However, I would encourage all FIRST Scouts to persue the existing Science and Technology Badges such as Electronics, Engineering, Composite Materials, and Computers. Further, I feel teams should try to communicate with existing Engineering Explorer posts in your areas. Who knows, a simple demo might cause their students to start their own teams!

PS: A big shout out to 84's newest Eagle: BigEd. Be sure to congratulate him if you see us at FLR or Philly!

[ChrisMcK2186]

YES. It would be pretty cool just to see the numbers. Too bad I can't get any more badges--I passed my board after I turned 18, but had the paperwork in the day before (and noted as that day).

LOL, I had the same problem. I finished all the reqs. in june for a July B-day, but the board never showed the first time, so it got rescheduled till two weeks after the turn.

I would love to see a group for robotic eagles.

Chris McKenzie
FRC 2186
Troop 893, NCAC

[Nevets Amstier]

That'd be cool to see a group for Eagle Scouts through FIRST
I am an Eagle Scout and so is Eric Schueing (i hope thats how he spells his last name i can never get it right:p ), as well as David Bridge, Jake Triano, and EO (who returned to 177 as a mentor)
There is also another guy on his way to becoming an eagle scout on 177. That'll be 6 for 177!

[ChrisMcK2186]

Just an idea but why don't we try to get a group of Eagles to meet at every regional? I am sure there will be a handful at each one. If you guys think it would be cool, I can see what I can do for VCU in VA.

let me know what you think.

Chris McKenzie
2186
Troop 893, NCAC

[Nevets Amstier]

That'd be sweet!!! Even though I won't be at VA, I'm sure once one regional does it, word will spread and other regionals will hop on the bandwagon

[EricH]

That'd be sweet!!! Even though I won't be at VA, I'm sure once one regional does it, word will spread and other regionals will hop on the bandwagonCount me in. I am not sure yet whether I will be at L.A. or Davis--that'll depend on the team I'm mentoring and where they wind up. (For that matter, I might also try to do a CD WebHug at the event I attend--maybe have an Eagle meeting before or after.) Let the Life Scouts in, though--they can get tips to become Eagle some day.

[ErikSR71]

I'm currently working towards getting my eagle rank, but I have no clue what to do for my project. if anyone wants to tell me eagle projects you've done/been involved in i'd greatly appreciate the input, hopefully it will inspire something.

[Graham Donaldson]

I'd be willing to help organize an Eagle's/Life's meeting at NJ. I could try to do it at GTR, but I don't think there'd be too many Eagles there...Maybe include Queen's Venturer Scouts?

[ChrisH]

To get this thread back on topic...

My congratulations also to Alex, Sean, Connor, Nick and Tim. There is something about the Eagle process that chages a young man in amazing ways. It is no accident that Eagles are far more likely to be heads of organizations or outstanding citizens. We are proud of you.

ChrisH
Future Robotics Merit Badge Councilor

[Nevets Amstier]

I'm currently working towards getting my eagle rank, but I have no clue what to do for my project. if anyone wants to tell me eagle projects you've done/been involved in i'd greatly appreciate the input, hopefully it will inspire something.

Try talking to your town council about any work that can be done on local parks (trail making/mapping/sign making/ building bridges over streams etc...)
There was a Park being made in my town that is being almost entirely built by eagle projects...I think some 10 eagle projects have done things to the park to improve. Mine was making 2 info kiosks at the entrances to the park and using a GPS plotter to map out the trails.

[Pat Arnold]

ErikSR71, perhaps mentioning the projects our recent Eagle scouts did will help you. I can't recall Alex's, but here's the rest:

Sean: Restoration of the boys bathroom & shower facility at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp
Connor: Clearing of vegetation & construction of a nature trail at a state park.
Nick: Construction of 4 picnic tables for a local elementary school
Tim: Designed, built & installed 15 ft. high pivoting stands, capable of being lowered if a hurricane threatens, for 11 bathouses at a wildlife refuge (he wowed his Board of Review by mocking it up using... Autodesk Inventor software of course!).

Good luck to all Life Scouts; it really is worth the work (plus you'll make your parents very proud);)