Eagle Scout: Board of Review Questions

How many people in and out of scouting helped you get this far? Think about it for a moment before you answer. --- (Hundreds of thousands. Former scouts people who put the merit badge books together, Scouts local and international, camp staffs, and others.)


You'll have to tackle this one on your own. Just make sure to mention the adults and Scouts who helped you with your Eagle Project and planning. Give credit where it is due. I always thanked my Dad, Scoutmaster, Spanish teacher, and the many thousands who made this journey possible. When you ask for help, it's truly amazing how many people come to your aid, especially for something as important as your Eagle Scout.


What part of your Scouting career makes you the most proud? The least proud?
Have you noticed how much more deep and personal these questions get as you advance through the ranks? They're looking for a thoughtful, introspective Scout...not some punk kid with an attitude. They want you to feel like you've earned Eagle Scout, not that you're being given it. For me I was most proud of continuing the family tradition and becoming a 3rd generation Eagle Scout. I was least proud of my bad attitude and lack of discipline when I first got into Scouting. I did a terrible job my first try as Patrol Leader. But I learned from my mistakes, moved forward, and got better!

How have you contributed to the troop?
Here are some ways you may have contributed to your troop: positive attitude, motivation, goal oriented, good communicator, forward looking, role model, follows the Scout Law and Oath every day, brought other kids to the troop, do your best every day, helped other kids reach the rank, badge and leadership goals...I also did things like design patches for the Camporee and Klondike Derby. I served in every position at the Troop and Order of the Arrow level. There's a lot here you can say...brag about what you've brought to the table, but stay humble!

Looking back on your Scouting career. What one thing would you change and why?
I seriously wouldn't change a single thing. My life is awesome. Maybe you could turn this into a positive as well? I would have spent more time helping other kids get involved in Scouting, or something along those lines.


Once you have earned your Eagle, what are your plans for Scouting?
This one is SUPER important! Most kids get to Eagle Scout, and then go away or get involved elsewhere: sports, girls, college, etc. YOUR plans for Scouting are to give back MORE than you ever received. This is a life long journey that you look forward to starting on...In my case I give away free karate classes to all Scouts in the hopes of helping more of them reach Eagle Scout. What can you do NOW to help more kids reach Eagle Scout, or to introduce more kids to the AWESOME Scouting program?

Life Scout: Board of Review Questions

What would you say to a Scout who really wanted the position you were just elected to fill?
Were you elected because of your talents and ability, or was it a political thing? You know what I mean! I've been through it, too. Once a friend of mine was elected to Lodge Chief in Order of the Arrow when I was clearly the more qualified choice. He was elected because he had more friends at that particular meeting than I did. And that was just one meeting! On any other meeting day I would have been selected...

What they're looking for here is your ability to be a leader and help other Scouts become leaders as well. Being a good leader means bringing up other Scouts under you to fill your role when you move up and out. Are you humble enough to train someone to fill your position? You can start be asking the Scout if they have completed all the requirements to be considered next for this position. Does he currently fill a role in the troop that would transition to your position next? For example, it's hard to go from Patrol Leader to Senior Patrol Leader without any other positions in between. If he IS qualified, why does he think he wasn't elected? In my case the reason was really that I needed to work on my communication skills with the other Scouts...



Recite the Scout Law. Pick a point and explain what it means. Then I’ll pick one.
Obviously you know the Scout Law by heart by now, and you'd BETTER be able to understand what all the points mean by now as well. But how has the Scout Law affected your life? How has it created a structure for you in your life? Maybe the point you pick to further discuss if the point that reminds you daily what you need to work on most. This shows your desire to continue growth in and out of Scouting. Remember: when you stop growing you start dying. In my case I chose thrifty, because my family was having lots of financial problems at the time and it was a reminder to me each day to work towards financial success.



What is the hardest thing a new Scout has to learn about the patrol method? At what stage in your Scouting advancement were your when you learned this.
This is individual. For me it was learning that you needed help to be truly successful as a Scout and a leader. You can't do it all on your own! How can you win the first aid competition as a group when you're doing all the work? You can't! This requires the ability to listen well, communicate, and motivate! It takes practice for sure. I believe a Scout first learns this when they take their first leadership role in the Patrol. My first experience was a disaster! I tried to lead through bullying, because my way as the right way! And I was right, too, but it didn't matter. If you can't motivate your troops to follow you, you just can't succeed.



What would you do if another Scout brought cigarettes on a campout?
This happened to me when I was camping at Philmont! Several of the Scouts asked the kid who brought the cigarettes to throw them out. We didn't want to involve the adults because we knew the result would be this kid getting kicked off the trip. We figured that if he threw them out, then no further harm! Except that he didn't throw them out, got caught with them by the adult leaders, and ultimately the adults found out that we knew and didn't tell them. Our intentions were good, but we got in trouble. It wasn't fun. The best thing to do is motivate the Scout to turn them over to an adult leader himself. If this doesn't happen, then an adult MUST be alerted. Make sure the adult understands that you don't want to be made to look like a tattle-tale. Remember: protect yourself and others! Cigarettes have NO place in any person's life!



What is your favorite part of the Scout Law. What do you do to live it?
This is a great question that you can spend several minutes digging into. I was always influenced by the part... "and morally straight." It's easy to be influenced by bad kids to do bad things. It's harder, but far more rewarding, to do the right thing and maintain a "cheerful spirit, even in the midst of irksome tasks and weighty responsibilties." By the way, it's always good to tie back in other oaths and laws from Scouting to support your answers. In this case I used the oath from Order of the Arrow.

First Class: Board of Review Questions

First Class: Board of Review Questions


What is your favorite part of the Scout Law? Why?
Take a minute to think about this. You may also be asked questions about the Scout Oath, Motto, and Slogan at this rank, since they should now be part of your habits and routine. They should become your way of life as you advance more and more towards Eagle Scout. Instead of just saying, "My favorite part is Trustworthy," try going broader first and then narrowing it down. For example, "my favorite thing about the Scout Law is how it creates a strong foundation for my future growth both as a Scout and as a person." Wouldn't that answer totally blow them away? Then get specific: "I especially love how 'Clean' refers to both a clean body and a clean mind. Being a good person and following the Scout Law creates a 'Clean' spirit."

What are the parts of the Safe Swim Defense?
Well...what are they? At this rank questions about why the Buddy System is important may also be asked. I was also asked specific questions about first aid situations.

What does it mean to become a First Class Scout?
What does it mean to YOU? To me it meant my graduation to a higher level of commitment. A commitment to reaching Eagle Scout.

What would you tell a 6th grade boy who asked you about Scouting?
"My job is to share the magic of Scouting with as many kids as possible. If someone asked me about Scouting I would tell them how much fun I have on the campouts and about the activities we have at troop meetings. I would have them come with me to a troop meeting!"

What is your favorite camp food?
Is it something you make or something one of the adult leaders make? It's a really good idea to mention that you LOVE a particular food one of the adults on your Board of Review makes. For example, my Dad made an awesome Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler...and he just happened to be the Assistant Scoutmaster at the time...

Keep up the good work!

-Sensei Brian

Second Class: Board of Review Questions

Second Class: Board of Review Questions

If you could change one thing about your patrol what would it be?
How about saying that you'd like more Scouts in your patrol? There's always something positive to say. Maybe you could say that you want your patrol to be the best in the troop...

What can you do to make your patrol better?
What YOU personally do. Have several ideas to impress the adult leaders. "I can talk to my Church about helping us earn our religious awards." "I can talk to my Karate Instructor about teaching Sports and Athletics merit badges."

What type of outings do you prefer? Why?
Snow camping? Hiking? I always preferred camping without hiking so you could bring more fun things with you for games and competitions. I enjoyed cook-offs with other patrols and especially loved Winter Camping and making snow shelters. You answer here helps the adult leaders determine what kind of Scout you will grow into over the next several years.

What is the longest hike you have taken? Where? How was it?
Pretty simple here, but also add something about any hiking GOALS you have, such as: "The longest hike I've ever gone for was a 10 miles, but I'd really love to go to Philmont for a 50 miler!"

What would your patrol think about earning the Baden-Powell Patrol Star?
Instead of just saying that it would be awesome, tell the adult leaders HOW your patrol can do it and what YOU can do to help.
 
Hope these insights help!
-Brian

Tenderfoot: Board of Review Questions

What do you like best about Scouting?

This is a very simple question at all ranks, but your answers take on depth as you advance and have more experiences in Scouting. At the rank of Tenderfoot your answer might be as simple as: "the community and friendships I'm developing." At the rank of Tenderfoot I most loved the opportunity to spend more time camping.

What do you dislike about Scouting?

Take this question seriously. At all levels your answer to this question may have an impact of the direction of your troop and/or patrol. Answer this question with a positive note, however, because your attitude is always an essential element to your growth in the troop. For example, "What I dislike most is the lack of programs for kids to earn merit badges. If more programs were offered then I could advance more quickly and more kids in our troop could reach Eagle Scout."

What do you think is the most fun part of Scouting?

Instead of saying something silly like, "BUILDING FIRES!," try something like,"developing my outdoor skills such as firebuilding and first aid."

What kinds of tents have you used? Which is your favorite? Why?

Not only tell them why you liked this particular tent, but also what things you think could be improved upon and what you'll be looking for in your next tent. This shows critical thinking and dedication to your advancement.

What work have you done towards your Second Class rank?

List at least 3 things you've done or are working on currently. Never say, "Nothing," or "I don't know!" Are you currently working on Eagle Scout as well? Of course you are...how?

Great BSA Board of Review Resource

I just found a great resource for adult Scout leaders that I never knew about! Check out: http://scoutmaster.org/

What I like most is all the info about how to conduct a Board of Review and Board of Review Questions. I suggest you young Scouts out there review these questions and prepare yourself for your Board of Review. Especially if you're going for Eagle Scout soon! Remember the Scout motto: "Be Prepared."

Here are the supplemental questions that I'll be blogging about one by one:

Tenderfoot

1. What do you like best about Scouting?
2. What do you dislike about Scouting?
3. What do you think is the most fun part of Scouting?
4. What kinds of tents have you used? Which is your favorite? Why?
5. What work have you done towards your Second Class rank?

Second Class

1. If you could change one thing about your patrol what would it be?
2. What can you do to make your patrol better?
3. What type of outings do you prefer? Why?
4. What is the longest hike you have taken? Where? How was it?
5. What would your patrol think about earning the Baden-Powell Patrol Star?

First Class

1. What is your favorite part of the Scout Law? Why?
2. What are the parts of the Safe Swim Defense?
3. What does it mean to become a First Class Scout/
4. What would you tell a 6th grade boy who asked you about Scouting?
5. What is your favorite camp food?

Star

1. What is your favorite point of the Scout Law. Why is it important for other people to live by?
2. What can you do to make your troop better?
3. How has being a Scout changed your life?
4. Look at the First Class Badge. What are the parts and what do they represent?
5. What leadership style is usually the most effective?

Life

1. What would you say to a Scout who really wanted the position you were just elected to fill?
2. Recite the Scout Law. Pick a point and explain what it means. Then I’ll pick one.
3. What is the hardest thing a new Scout has to learn about the patrol method? At what stage in your Scouting advancement were your when you learned this.
4. What would you do if another Scout brought cigarettes on a campout?
5. What is your favorite part of the Scout Law. What do you do to live it?

Eagle

1. How many people in and out of scouting helped you get this far? Think about it for a moment before you answer. --- (Hundreds of thousands. Former scouts people who put the merit badge books together, Scouts local and international, camp staffs, and others.)
2. What part of your Scouting career makes you the most proud? The least proud?
3. How have you contributed to the troop?
4. Looking back on your Scouting career. What one thing would you change and why?
5. Once you have earned your Eagle, what are your plans for Scouting?

Over the next few weeks I'll review these questions with you all in the hopes of helping more of you reach Eagle Scout. Please feel free to email me at welovekempo@gmail.com with any questions on your advancement! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Scouting gets better with age!

Boy Scouts has changed over the decades. When my Grandfather received his Eagle Scout, merit badges like Botany were required. Outdoor skills were the most important element of Scout development. It was assumed that when you reached Eagle Scout that you'd be able to survive in the wilderness, sharpen a knife, make fire without matches. No so anymore. I have personally seen Eagle Scouts who have never sharpened an axe or a knife. But that's not to say that Boy Scouting has lost something over the years. No, I argue instead that Scouting has evolved, become better. It's a sign of the times that kids need more work on developing leadership and communication skills, that citizenship needs to be taught and encouraged. Let's face it: we don't live on farms anymore like my Gramps did.

What I loved most about Scouting was the outdoor stuff: firebuilding, camping, wilderness survival. I loved first aid and hiking as well. But I realized way later that what I NEEDED from Scouting was exactly what I got: the ability to set and achieve goals. Through Scouting I was able to manage projects and people in a way that put me way beyond my peers outside of college. The skills I developed in Scouting were the essential skills for success in the workplace...skill sets not even touched in college, let alone high school.

My advice: stick with Scouting all the way to the end. Learn what you DON'T KNOW!

See you at the top,

Brian Colwell

What do you like about the Boy Scouts?

Boy Scouts! What do you love about Scouting? Is it the camp outs? Fire building and outdoor skills? First Aid? Community? Each and every one of us gets something out of Scouting. We’re each better people for having experienced what Scouting has to offer.

If we get so much out of Scouts, what are we giving back to the program? If you’re not an Eagle Scout then let’s start there. You life purpose is to reach Eagle Scout, to continue the history of excellence, and to pass it on to your family someday down the road. But what if you already are an Eagle Scout? Did you reach that high point and then give up? The journey BEGINS once you reach Eagle Scout: you begin mentoring younger Scouts so they can advance more quickly, you become a Sensei. And this is a mission that never ends.

Reaching Eagle Scout is even more important than getting a college degree. It shows a higher level of commitment, loyalty, goal setting and planning. Your Eagle Scout also represents a broader base of knowledge than you’ll ever get with a Bachelors Degree. With an ability to communicate your skills to potential employers and highlight your significant achievement, your Eagle Scout becomes an investment that returns high dividends year after year…and all you have to do is COMMIT! Set the goal, achieve it through planning, and ask for help.

All the success and money in the world is YOURS if you do this. Eagle Scout is a WAY OF LIFE.

See you at the top!

-Sensei Brian