Eagle Scout invite

[MichelleinMaine]

Not to hijack this thread, but since it seems there are lots of Scout moms here - please tell me about OA. Our son was 'called out' for OA at his camporee just yesterday (along with three other boys). I don't know much about it other than he will go on a special campout in May for it. I'm guessing it is some sort of initiation type of thing? My DH was not at the camporee yesterday, but evidently he is being called out as the adult from the troop and will attend as well.

My son is in OA. It's an "honor society" for scouts. In practicality, I've found it is most an opportunity for older scouts to help out at a higher level. (particularly with camping, but also ceremonial events- ours frequent does Arrow of Light ceremonies or camporee campfires).

Our lodge meets monthly, but meetings are nearly an hour away (and on a school night), so DS has never attended. He has taken part of special service projects during the time he is at summer camp. (He's staff, so that's pretty much a weekly thing all summer.) I know when they are looking for helpers for district events, they look to OA guys first. (DS just got home from helping out at a spring break camp.)

I will say my son and his friend have probably done more OA stuff than other troop members in the past, but our location keeps them out of "most" of the activities.

There is an "initiation"- the ordeal camping trip. There are parts to this that are intentionally not shared with the scout ahead of time to make it a little more exciting. (I'm going to assume they are similar everywhere- certainly NOT anything to be concerned about. It is NOT a secret thing, if you as a parent want to know ahead of time, just ask.)

 

[wdwaholic]

OH boy what a stressful time it is. My son did his project last May and completed his Life tenure and finished last Eagle req badges in Sept and it took him this long to turn his book in for approval. His original goal was Eagle before high school and now it is 4 weeks until the end of freshman year. He was lazy writing his life purpose statement...I have a ton of people to invite too as I am a leader and have been through Wood Badge and we're involved in OA so there are tons of people I want to invite that we've met over the years...what are you planning on serving?

As of right now the RSVP deadline has passed and we are at 80 people-about half of them are young adults-so i am having Shop-Rite cater it-lots of sandwich platters,chips,salads,soda,iced tea and water.the troop picks up the cost of the cake,coffee,tea and dessert paper goods-am renting the local firehouse-thought about a hot buffet but was too expensive and too much prep/cleanup on my part.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We had my son's Court of Honor/Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, and were home by 4:00 - here in the midwest.

We had almost 100 guests and he received a few gifts, some money and some cards, again based on how well he knew the people.

We served cake, ice cream, punch and water.

I enjoyed the ceremony and really enjoyed that this journey is at an end. He graduates HS in 5 weeks, so we are on to dealing with a graduation party.

Sr. year, or as I refer to it, the year of the checkbook!

 

[ForAandA]

When Dcousin became an Eagle scout we had a dessert party. Tables and tables of goodies, coffee, milk, and punch. He also received many gifts as well. The best gift all were donations to the Church in his grandparents honor . He was very happy with that, and the Gas gift cards.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Not to hijack this thread, but since it seems there are lots of Scout moms here - please tell me about OA. Our son was 'called out' for OA at his camporee just yesterday (along with three other boys). I don't know much about it other than he will go on a special campout in May for it. I'm guessing it is some sort of initiation type of thing? My DH was not at the camporee yesterday, but evidently he is being called out as the adult from the troop and will attend as well.

I was involved a little more when the boys were Cubs, but now let Scouts be more of a father/son thing in our family. They do plenty of things with me, it's nice to see them have this bond with DH in scouting.

THe OA is great. Both DS and I are in the OA. I just did my ordeal last summer at camp. Working on Brotherhood now. It is basically extra service projects and a monthly fellowship meetings. My son really enjoys it becasue he gets to meet other boys from different troops. He also was elected chapter treasurer so he has been enjoying it. Your DH will be able to attend the meetings with your son once they make OA. Also our chapter has Memorial Day Work Weekend...they camp and do service projects getting the council camp Owasippe ( which happens to be the oldest scoup camp in the US!).