How many Eagle Scouts :)

[CalTran]

A lot of people saw this picture. Suffices to say, I am an Eagle Scout, and FIRST helped me through the process, but more so Boy Scouts helped me throughout FIRST. Strange huh? Boy Scouts, through emailing various adult leaders, helped me learn the formal jargon necessary for addressing such figures, and then it translated over to me explaining both the program and writing letters to other people for our team and I can eloquently speak to various people about the program and what it's taught me. (Thank you Boards of Review for helping me explain what (insert program) means to me.)

On a side note, this thread is the first time I've actually heard of OA chapters elsewhere. It's a national honor society, but I've never actually heard of other chapters. Brotherhood in the Tamegonit Lodge.
Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Curious as to how many others recognize that achievement.

[dcarr]

Never did OA...never saw the point. In fact some aspects of the organization seem downright politically incorrect to an outsider. But a good friend of mine was a Lodge Chief or something.

[compboy07]

Originally Posted by dcarr

Never did OA...never saw the point. In fact some aspects of the organization seem downright politically incorrect to an outsider. But a good friend of mine was a Lodge Chief or something.

Myself, I am a huge proponent of the OA, being current chapter chief and very good friends with the lodge chief. While it may seem mysterious or confunded to some, in practice it makes perfect sense and helps the older scouts with leadership, staying active, and service in general. It has helped me make connections throughout my state, lifelong friends, and think more about my philosophy on life. What's more, it takes boy-led ideas to the extreme; the only adult acting in more than an advisory leadership position is the council chief executive.

Couple that with the outstanding outreach and programs (NLS, NOAC, camp chiefs, trail crew, et al.) and that's a major highlight of my life.

TLDR: OA is good for the bones. Also, patches.

[electrostatics1]

I'm an eagle scout anyone go to philmont or sea base?

[mdiradoorian]

Originally Posted by electrostatics1

I'm an eagle scout anyone go to philmont or sea base?

Are you apart of a troop and under 18 or....

[electrostatics1]

ya i'm 16, i'm part of my troop after build season i am joining my venture crew as well

[math311]

Originally Posted by electrostatics1

I'm an eagle scout anyone go to philmont or sea base?

I am finishing my write up and will submit within the coming two weeks. I went to sea base for the out island adventure. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. uninhabited, undeveloped island where we fished, kyacked, snorkeled and camped under the heavens. Also, on one side of MUNSON island Beyonce owns a house (about 30 ft away on another island) and on the right is an island resort costing $1500 a night. Our whole trip was something like $750.

[electrostatics1]

When I went to sea base my troop did coral reef sailing. We were in a sail boat for 4 days we visited coral reefs all along the keys. The out island looks like fun we sailed past a couple troops in the out island adventures.

[math311]

I sail, and I would love to do the sailing trip. What was it like? The Out Island is a one of a kind experience.

[electrostatics1]

Originally Posted by math311

I sail, and I would love to do the sailing trip. What was it like? The Out Island is a one of a kind experience.

It was a lot of waiting getting from place to place but well worth it. Thecoral reef sailing trips usually are 2 days at sea 1 day at land then another at sea, but for mine the scheduled boat broke so we had our day at land first it was fun we used small sail boats and went tubing. the three days of sea were fun too. the reefs were incredible . We went fishing a couple times but had no luck.

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by compboy07

Myself, I am a huge proponent of the OA, being current chapter chief and very good friends with the lodge chief. While it may seem mysterious or confunded to some, in practice it makes perfect sense and helps the older scouts with leadership, staying active, and service in general. It has helped me make connections throughout my state, lifelong friends, and think more about my philosophy on life. What's more, it takes boy-led ideas to the extreme; the only adult acting in more than an advisory leadership position is the council chief executive.

Couple that with the outstanding outreach and programs (NLS, NOAC, camp chiefs, trail crew, et al.) and that's a major highlight of my life.

TLDR: OA is good for the bones. Also, patches.

I was never that active in the OA, but I also thought it was very worthwhile. I mostly just did the service events, but I thought even just the initiation process was really good at pushing Scouting ideals and getting you to reflect upon them.

And let's be honest, the sash with the stripes is waaaaay cooler than the one with just the arrows.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by dcarr

Never did OA...never saw the point.

One doesn't choose whether or not to "do" OA. Its members are nominated by their peers to be inducted into the Order. The point is to recognize and honor those who show the spirit of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily life.

It's a lot like the FIRST Chairman's Award that way.

Once one becomes a member of the Order of the Arrow, one does choose whether or not to embrace the idea of service that goes along with membership.

Originally Posted by Ian Curtis

And let's be honest, the sash with the stripes is waaaaay cooler than the one with just the arrows.

It is only right that the more active and dedicated members get the cooler sash.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

One doesn't choose whether or not to "do" OA. Its members are nominated by their peers to be inducted into the Order.

I assume that he may have withdrawn his name from nomination, as did I for all 4 (or 5) years I was eligible for personal and political reasons. Mostly, my troop chose to conduct elections for OA while seemingly not embracing the idea of the service that went along with their membership, I made my opinion on that attitude known, and that story wrote itself. After that, I spent too much time with school, church, robotics, and a mixed bag of family crises to add trying to get into OA.

I'm happy with my decision to forego that opportunity in favor of other ones I found better suited to me, but to each his own.

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

One doesn't choose whether or not to "do" OA. Its members are nominated by their peers to be inducted into the Order.

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

I assume that he may have withdrawn his name from nomination, as did I for all 4 (or 5) years I was eligible for personal and political reasons.

Nomination does not press one into service or membership in the OA - the process is voluntary. Like PayneTrain I felt my personal goals and values didn't align with the organization I saw represented to me as a Scout. I'm pleased to hear that for others it provided a positive experience.

[Mykey]

I am happy to see this thread. Team 3997 the Screaming Chickens is not affiliated with a school. We are a BSA explorer post.

Over half of our members are either Eagle Scouts or Gold Award winners. For all of those out there who have no females on their teams the Gold Award is the Girl Scout equivalent of the Eagle Scout rank.

Making Eagle/Gold is an achievement that deserves recognition. Well done to all of you who have put in the time and effort needed to make it!