On the Road to Eagle and bragging rites

merit badges Mason has earned. Not more than enough, but not the minimum either. For a kid who was without a scout program for 6 months of his scouting experience, he did pretty well I think!

A couple of sundays ago we escorted Mason to his Eagle Scout Board of Review. This is a final meeting where scout appointed mentors 'test' potential Eagle scouts on the things they've learned as a result of scouting, on how they interact with their parents and family, and on what they did and what they learned from doing their eagle scout project.

Having never become an Eagle scout myself, and this being our first scout, I had no idea what awaited our boy. Needless to say, I was pretty impressed.

Mason met three men, two of whom he'd known prior, but one who was a stranger. They introduced themselves and then asked Mason to introduce himself and his parents. They proceeded to ask Mason's parents if we could recommend him to this honor of Eagel Scout. John and I did, indeed, recommend this boy of ours. While he is not a perfect kid, and while the road to eagle has been a bumpy road, with a few detours along the way, he has done a good job of finishing something that was difficult, and he finished it for himself. Most moms know as much or more about their kid's project as the kid himself; but in Mason's case he really was the one who organized and executed (with some pointers and opinions from his parents) his project by himself. He even had to do TWO projects essentially, because the first project date was changed after he had done all the leg work and had gathered donations, but he was to be up at camp when they rescheduled the project. So on to another project and a different experience, and after lots of painful effort, he finished that project too.

After we gave our word of recommendation, we were excused. Mason spent time tying knots and reciting scout oaths and laws while we sat in the room next door, hopeful that his experience would be a good one.

Mason came back out, and while the board deliberated he worried that he had forgotten how to tie a simple square knot-he asked to borrow my belt, so he could practice and get it right. He was caught, mid-tying, by the board summoning us all back into the review.

Mason passed with flying colors. In fact these were the words they said, exactly;

"This is the best board of review we have ever had. And Mason has been the best candidate we have ever seen. He has presented himself and his family well, he has conversed with us and explained himself effectively. He displays scout spirit in everything he presents; his dress, his demeanor and his attitude. We are happy to recommend him to be an eagle, and that rank is effective from this moment on."

Yes, I am not kidding. That is what they said. It made me tear up; not because I'm super scout loving mom (I think it has its good place, but I'm not exactly a cheerleader when it comes to the saluting and uniform wearing...) but just to hear a stranger tell you that your son is outstanding in a positive way. Its enough to make a mom want to sing it from the rooftops.

Or at least shout it into the bloggosphere.

so, here is where the road to eagle technically comes to its end. There will be ceremony some time in January where pats on the back will be given and smiles will be spread all around. But the work of the walk down this bumpy road is over, and Mason took the road less traveled, which for me has made all the difference.