More Eagle Scout questions....

[Pam]

I hate to keep bugging (and boring) everyone..... but I have some questions. I have been searching and reading everything there is about Eagle Scout ceremonies, via books and the web.

Has anyone ever received any totally fantastic Letters of Commendation from famous people for their Eagle Scout? I have found a list of around 100 names and addresses - but I guess I'm looking for the more unusual, off-the-beaten path ones.

Also - we have decided to have the Order of the Arrow Eagle Scout ceremony. What do all of you think of this:

Before the Court of Honor begins, the OA dance team will perform (the ceremony is being held in the Outdoor Amphitheater of our Council's Boy Scout camp). Someone will sing God Bless The USA as the Boy Scouts march down the steps, in formation, carrying the American and BSA flags, as well as the Troop Totem. Allowat Sakima will open the ceremony, our Pastor will have the invocation and then the Troop Chairman will convene the Court of Honor.

The Scouting Segment will be The Four Winds. A lean-pee and assorted Native American items will be at the front of the amphitheater, directly behind and slightly off to the right of where the OA Ceremonies Team members, our son, the Pastor, etc. will stand.

Next will be the Eagle Segment, with Kichkinet bringing my son forward, the Scoutmaster will vouch for him. The Presentation of the Eagle Badge will follow, with DH and I participating in that, DS will talk about what Scouting has meant to him.

Someone will sing "On Eagle's Wings." The Troop Committee will then come forward to read all the Letters of Commendation, plus any dignataries and politicians in attendance.

The dance team will perform again, then the Pastor gives the benediction, Allowat closes the ceremony and invites everyone to the cake and ice cream reception in the environmental center.

One of the Boy Scouts will play the Boy Scout March on his trumpet as everyone leaves the amphitheater.

We have chosen to just have cake and ice cream - not only because it is much cheaper, but also less stressful.

Now - a question - are we supposed to give some little token to the Dance and Ceremonies Team members, as well as the Scouts who carry the flags, etc.??

Also - any advice and tips would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[helenabear]

Pam, the only experience I have with this is from my brother's about 10 years or more ago... so I'll bump in hopes someone else can help

 

[Mickey Nut 50]

Pam, I'm a long-term Scouter, as is my husband. I would think that gifts to the ceremony participants would not be necessary. Remember, the OA is a service group. That is their mission in Scouting. They provide service to others without expecting anything in return.

The ceremony sounds great. We just had a triple ceremony for 3 in our Troop, our son was one of them. Because of the multiple boys (actually 4 - one from another Troop), time became a constraint. However, ours followed very closely to what you're having done, minus the music and songs. We didn't use the OA, though.

As for letters - there is a reference book available at most libraries with addresses for famous people. You could also contact your local council office for help in finding names of famous Americans in leadership roles who are Eagles (John Glenn comes to mind).

When and where is your ceremony? PM me if you want.

 

[Pam]

Wow!! Didn't know anyone had responded to this! Thanks for the info! Mickey - PM ed you!

Any other suggestions?

 

[karebear1]

When ny son eagled, we had many letters of congratulations sent to him- among them were John Glenn,Pres. Clinton (almost didn't want that one, but we thought he should have it because he was the Pres. we Josh Eagled) Pres. Bush (Sr.) and all the other ex Pres. our local Senators, and Governor, and assorted sports and other celebs that had a standing interest in Boy Scouts and that my son admired. Our local Congressman sent a beautiful framed certificate. We set up decorated tables ( red-white and blue) and put a lot of his scouting paraphenalia on it- including a notebook with his final Eagle Scout project and pictures. We even used his cub scouting things. It was very nice to see his growing up years as a scout. People seemed to really like that.

 

[Mickey Nut 50]

Pam - forgot to tell you that you have it pretty well covered. We gave a rose to each mother, while the story of the mother's rose was read, and I had our District Chair read a poem that I got from a BSA site. If you want those, pm me with your email address. I responded to your pm to me.

 

[fklhou]

ON one of the scouting websites I found the Troop 405 list for leters. I have used this list for several eagles and there have been some very nice letters.

As for the dancers, and OA participants, gifts should not be necessary. OA is all about service. Normally, plenty of snakes and cake at the reception afterward should suffice.

Your cermony sounds wonderful. I have not seen the OA cermony but we looked at it for my son's Eagle. I love "On Eagles Wings" and we had the Cantor at our Temple sing it at my son's ECOH.
The key thing is that this is for you.

Have fun and congratulations. We have now heard from a couple of College admission people who have told us that Eagle is very helpful on a college appliation.

 

[Pam]

Mickey,
I have those poems - *thanks*!!

fklhou,
That's the Troop where I got the addresses from - and it had been updated just recently as well! That's what I thought about the OA - just wanted to make sure.

I think everything is progressing smoothly. Another Scout from my son's Troop is holding his ceremony this weekend - so we can check it out!

 

[Pam]

We set up decorated tables ( red-white and blue) and put a lot of his scouting paraphenalia on it- including a notebook with his final Eagle Scout project and pictures. We even used his cub scouting things. It was very nice to see his growing up years as a scout. People seemed to really like that.

karebear,
We are using the more muted Native American colors to carry over into the reception - which is also on Scout property. The center has a stone floor and a cathedral ceiling with wood beams that looks out into the woods.

I have 7 scrapbooks of my son's years as a Cub and Boy Scout, as well as the 2001 National Jamboree. I have tons of his Cub projects that I saved, his books, uniforms, etc. I plan on using those.

It's a little bit of a walk from the parking area to the amphitheater. I plan on having a sign at the parking area that says: "The Eagle Scout Trail of ____________". Along the way will be signs with photos of my son as a Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life - leading right up to the steps of the Amphitheater.

 

[Pam]

Liz,
I PM'ed you with that addy.....

 

[fklhou]

Pam

Another good source of information on scout matters is Scouts-L. I post there from time to time. Look at http://www.engr.tcu.edu/~eidson/scouts-l/swelcome.html You can get some good feedback on issues such as ECOH.

Again,congratultions on you DS's accomplishment and remember to have fun and enjoy the cermony.