Eagle MB Progression

Many of the parents have had questions or concerns regarding Troop 30's guidelines for the age / grade recommendations for particular Eagle MBs. So I wanted to do some research into why T30 has this policy.

I spoke to 3 former T30 scoutmasters and 2 former T30 parent committee chairs, whose tenures span 20 years. I learned that this list of recommendations has been in place for more than 20 years. And while it has been revisited a number of times, it has never been modified because people always conclude that the recommendations are sound.

My conversations each affirmed what I had been told previously: that while many scouts are mature enough to comprehend the material of the advanced merit badges and to deal with this information in a mature manner, experience has shown that the Scouts get a lot more benefit from these particular merit badges if they complete the courses at the older ages recommended. Many of the younger scouts might understand the teaching of the Family Life MB, and be able to participate with maturity. But they could learn so much more when they are closer to actually being an adult.

Similar concerns for Personal Management and others on the “older” portion of the list.

Several parents were concerned that their scouts could become bored with Scouts if they weren't allowed to progress very quickly. If this is actually a valid concern, then I suspect Scouts is not for them. But I believe that Scouting IS for them, and that they will continue to find challenges, joy, and excitement in Scouting, regardless of the order in which they complete their merit badges.

I would like to share with you something that I received from one of the T30 “elders”. It is the official policy at one of our local high schools regarding AP courses:

“I want to take AP classes as a sophomore.”

AP classes are designed for the junior and senior year students. In addition to handling the coursework, there is also a maturity factor that is needed for the courses. Many students feel that piling up as many AP's as possible will make them a better student. It has been our experience that students that go down this path do not develop the all around skills to be a better student and person when they get into college.

We believe strongly in students developing an academic balance that allows them to challenge themselves in the classroom while allowing time to explore interests outside of academics.

I find this policy to be refreshing. It asks students, and parents, to slow down and take things in order. To follow a tried and true path that works much better than the rush-rush scenario.

As I have said to many of you, your scouts are only 11 or 12. They still have lots of requirements to complete before they reach Eagle. If you, I mean if THEY, come back to me in a year with all of their requirements complete, other than these few “older” merit badges, then I will certainly approve their request to take the merit badge. But as First Class and Star scouts, they still need at least a year for the combined time-in-rank requirements, plus the Eagle Project, plus lots of other adventures to complete. There is no reason to rush these merit badges. And certainly one should not take a merit badge just because “it fits into the schedule” or “is being offered now”. And yes, I HAVE heard that reason from many parents.

It is my sincere hope that all of our scouts stay active in scouting until they are 18. Some will get Eagle when they are 17.99 years old. Others will get it when they are 14. And I hope that the ones who are 14 remain active either in the Troop, or a Venture Crew, or in Order of the Arrow, until they are 18.

Scouting is not about reaching Eagle, it is about learning all of the skills and experiencing all of the things that Scouting has to offer. Scouting is a truly unique organization, and the scouts (and families) should take full advantage of all that it has to offer, independent of achieving particular milestones.

I fully encourage Scouts to set goals, create plans, and strive to meet their goals. If their goal is to become an Eagle Scout, they should go forth and pursue that, and enjoy the recognition they deserve for this achievement. Other scouts don't care whether they reach Eagle; they just want the experience of Scouting. Both are equally fine, and are dependent on the individual young man.

The important point is that we need to let the scout experience scouting to the fullest while trusting the lessons learned by those who came before us; who developed guidelines with only the best interest of our sons and daughters in mind.

Thank you for your understanding.

Clay Ross
T30 Scoutmaster (2015-2025)