Disney/Eagle Scout Letter

[sbell111]

I also agree with the poster who brought up BSA exclusive policies and how they clash with Disney's inclusive nature, so I can see how Disney might be reluctant to send a letter.

Disney has been happy to send out letters of congratulations just like the one discussed in this thread for many decades. I see no reason for them to stop now.

It should also be noted that the Eagle Scouts in question had no input on BSA policies. I don't see how congratulating this individual for his accomplishment takes any position on those policies.

 

[Jennasis]

Disney has been happy to send out letters of congratulations just like the one discussed in this thread for many decades. I see no reason for them to stop now.

Who typically signs these corporate letters? The CEO? Judy in Public Relations? I'm fascinated. I had no idea that this whole letter of recognition thing existed...and to be honest it seems a bit odd to me to be informing total strangers (no matter how influential THEY may have been to the scout) that you've reached your Eagle Scout status. That said, I think it's nice that a stranger would take the time out to send a congratulatory letter, and reaching Eagle Scout IS a big deal.

 

[tyniknate]

So, I just wanted to let you know that I found a PR number for Disney. Called and they gave me the appropriate location. Disney does, in fact, send letters of recognition to Eagle Scouts. Its "signed" by Bob Iger on behalf of the Disney Corporation. The woman I spoke with said that it is true that Walt himself was a Scout, and a supporter of Scouting, and therefore they are happy to encourage youth in those types of programs. Her name was Anne Robinson and she was very kind.....unlike most of the responses here.

 

[Magic Mom]

I bet they would give him a cupcake and a button too if you go to the park and tell them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

FWIW, my DH is an Eagle, as are both of our sons. In our troop there is one individual (a former scoutmaster of the troop, now retired) who had taken the responsibility of requesting such letters of the various politicians, corporations, and others who have indicated that they will write congratulatory letters to any scouts achieving the Eagle rank.

It's not a contest or competition to see who gets the most or "best" letters, it's just a recognition of the hard work and dedication the boys have exhibited to achieve their rank.

While some people may feel that it's not a great thing to receive these letters, I can assure you that in our troop the boys love getting them.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Who typically signs these corporate letters? The CEO? Judy in Public Relations? I'm fascinated. I had no idea that this whole letter of recognition thing existed...and to be honest it seems a bit odd to me to be informing total strangers (no matter how influential THEY may have been to the scout) that you've reached your Eagle Scout status. That said, I think it's nice that a stranger would take the time out to send a congratulatory letter, and reaching Eagle Scout IS a big deal.

But, no one is taking the time out do anything. Anne in PR, or the intern, is churning out a form letter as part of her job duties, and signing someone else's name. It's not as if Bob Iger knows or cares about the kid and wrote the letter himself.

 

[undertheradar]

Since these recognitions are announced in the local papers, on the radio, via websites, etc., it amazes me that people need to seek out recognition. It just would feel hollow to receive a letter from someone "honoring" me for something that the letter writer wasn't genuinely aware of. Getting letters from friends, neighbors, local communities, that would appear to be more inspiring than to receive a robo-signed letter from some rep in Washington,DC. Just my humble opinion from a community volunteer.

 

[ksjayhawks]

When my son got his Eagle, I used the master list to request letters that would mean something to him. We also sent to others that weren't on the list.

The majority of the letters/certificates that he received were signed, not stamped. We were surprised by those that came with a handwritten note or note of apology that the letter was not there in time for his ceremony.

He was very excited each time he received a letter and the book is fun to look through.

OP, congrats to your son and I am glad you found the right contact person.

 

[lillygator]

do you take these to the ceremony? what do you do with them? are they read aloud?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

do you take these to the ceremony? what do you do with them? are they read aloud?

After the ceremony there is, usually, a reception of some sort.

At the reception, there are displays of the honorees scouting life, the workbook & pictures of the Eagle project, and the the letters are (usually) in a book for people to look through, if they wish.

 

[DizBelle]

If you have to ask someone to congratulate you, is it really that much of a congratulations?

If the point is that these companies (like Disney) and individuals (politicians) made an impact and affected the scouts desire to attain Eagle Scout status, why isn't the Eagle scout writing to the companies and individuals thanking them for the impact they made in their lives that made them want to make Eagle?

The only way I can see that a letter from someone would be meaningful is if it is someone personally known to the scout or the service project of the scout impacted that person or their organization. e.g. If the service project was for a food bank, a letter from the director of the food bank would be meaningful.

 

[declansdad]

What a bunch of mean-spirited people we have on the boards today! I thought considering the "What will you celebrate" theme and the current theme, that Disney was looking to help celebrate the victories that we accomplish.

Disney will give your kid a cupcake at every meal when she wears a pin that says "Its my birthday"....eventhough her birthday was 7 months ago and really means nothing to her now. They will give her a pin and special towel animals and signed pictures from the mouse, eventhough it isn't her birthday. Frankly, birthdays are celebrated every year and don't make you all that special....we all have them. I thought that I had heard that Disney helps celebrate events. My mistake for asking on this board.

It's not a competition how many letters my son receives. I'm not sending out 1000 requests. I just thought that Disney, as a place that means so much to my family, would have a way of saying contratulations for your hard work. They will celebrate everything and anything else.

So sorry I asked.

Funny I always thought the "what will you celebrate" theme had to do with what you would celebrate when you visited the parks; when you were spending money. Silly me, I should have let them know I was celebrating my new job last year.

 

[Jennasis]

If you have to ask someone to congratulate you, is it really that much of a congratulations?

If the point is that these companies (like Disney) and individuals (politicians) made an impact and affected the scouts desire to attain Eagle Scout status, why isn't the Eagle scout writing to the companies and individuals thanking them for the impact they made in their lives that made them want to make Eagle?

The only way I can see that a letter from someone would be meaningful is if it is someone personally known to the scout or the service project of the scout impacted that person or their organization. e.g. If the service project was for a food bank, a letter from the director of the food bank would be meaningful.

i'm wondering th same. Is the "request" you send and announcement of the achievement? A request for recognition? Or a "thanks for being part of my scouting experience" type thing?

 

[Magic Mom]

i'm wondering th same. Is the "request" you send and announcement of the achievement? A request for recognition? Or a "thanks for being part of my scouting experience" type thing?

I'm right there with you. And I just can't see how much meaning a "Congratulations" has when the person writing it has no idea on Earth who you are.

 

[DizBelle]

i'm wondering th same. Is the "request" you send and announcement of the achievement? A request for recognition? Or a "thanks for being part of my scouting experience" type thing?

The sample from the link on page 1 of this thread has it written by a third party saying something along the lines of "Bobby is becoming an Eagle Scout and I'm sure he would be proud to receive a letter of congratulations from you......."

 

[lillygator]

If you have to ask someone to congratulate you, is it really that much of a congratulations?

If the point is that these companies (like Disney) and individuals (politicians) made an impact and affected the scouts desire to attain Eagle Scout status, why isn't the Eagle scout writing to the companies and individuals thanking them for the impact they made in their lives that made them want to make Eagle?

The only way I can see that a letter from someone would be meaningful is if it is someone personally known to the scout or the service project of the scout impacted that person or their organization. e.g. If the service project was for a food bank, a letter from the director of the food bank would be meaningful.

yes, I think writing to ask for a letter of congrats is kind of awkward in itself....I would feel weird doing it.

 

[NHdisneylover]

If you have to ask someone to congratulate you, is it really that much of a congratulations?

If the point is that these companies (like Disney) and individuals (politicians) made an impact and affected the scouts desire to attain Eagle Scout status, why isn't the Eagle scout writing to the companies and individuals thanking them for the impact they made in their lives that made them want to make Eagle?

The only way I can see that a letter from someone would be meaningful is if it is someone personally known to the scout or the service project of the scout impacted that person or their organization. e.g. If the service project was for a food bank, a letter from the director of the food bank would be meaningful.

I agree with everything--especially the bolded. That was also my DD's first comment when I asked her about it. She said if anyone should be writing a letter it is the scout sending a thank you to anyone they felt supported or inspired them in any way.

 

[Tink888]

Wow, so much negativity from the posters in this thread.

Apparently, from the link posted by SBELL, Disney, along with a lot of other corporations and government entities issue the letters if requested. The OP isn't asking for anything that doesn't already have a history of being done if requested.

So what is the big deal and what's so wrong with the OP asking for one for her son?

Don't like or agree with Boy Scouts? You wouldn't personally do it? Fine, you're entitled to your opinion but for people involved with scouting attaining Eagle Rank is a huge deal and it comes hard-earned. If OP wants to celebrate that for her son w/ a letter from a place where they've made many family memories, more power to them. It's a keepsake that he can keep with his other scouting mementos and look at years from now.

If you've been married 50 years and you (or someone in your family) sends in a copy of your marriage certificate, the President of the United States will send you a congratulatory letter (as least they used to do this). We did that for my grandparents on their 50th. Sure, it was a form letter and I doubt the President himself actually signed it, but my grandparents still got a kick out of it when they received it.

What's so wrong with doing something a little special to make someone feel good?

Congrats to your son OP!

 

[undertheradar]

Wow, so much negativity from the posters in this thread.

Apparently, from the link posted by SBELL, Disney, along with a lot of other corporations and government entities issue the letters if requested. The OP isn't asking for anything that doesn't already have a history of being done if requested.

So what is the big deal and what's so wrong with the OP asking for one for her son?

Don't like or agree with Boy Scouts? You wouldn't personally do it? Fine, you're entitled to your opinion but for people involved with scouting attaining Eagle Rank is a huge deal and it comes hard-earned. If OP wants to celebrate that for her son w/ a letter from a place where they've made many family memories, more power to them. It's a keepsake that he can keep with his other scouting mementos and look at years from now.

If you've been married 50 years and you (or someone in your family) sends in a copy of your marriage certificate, the President of the United States will send you a congratulatory letter (as least they used to do this). We did that for my grandparents on their 50th. Sure, it was a form letter and I doubt the President himself actually signed it, but my grandparents still got a kick out of it when they received it.

What's so wrong with doing something a little special to make someone feel good?

Congrats to your son OP!

Opinion here. If the scout wants the recognition and sends the letters, so be it. This thread brings to mind circling helicopters and the pilots/parents who want special treatment for precious snowflakes. I was raised that you do things to help others without looking for anything in return. Somehow, sending a request for recognition doesn't make the recognition appear to be heartfelt or genuine. Again, my opinion.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What I think some of you are missing here is that the SCOUT is not the one asking for the recognition/congratulatory letters.

The letters are written by a third party (as in our case, our troop) to people/businesses that have indicated that they would like to honor the boys achieving the Eagle rank.

Basically, the troop is writing a letter saying, "we're proud to announce that XXX of Troop 123 has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Please join us in letting him know how proud we are of him".

While the boys working on the Eagle rank are aware that they will be getting letters, it's not a given that ANY of the requests will come through, although most do.