Tweet
After a very long 5 1/2 year journey in Boy Scout's, my oldest son had his Eagle Board of Review last night and was promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout. I couldn't be more proud of him and the young man he has become.
In a board of review, a group of parents interview the Scout to test worthiness of the next rank. They ask questions ranging from what was your best and worst experience in Scouting to which values in the Scout law would you change if you could. Of course, his mom and I had to find out the questions and answers he gave. One stands out to me. This son is the one with the severe food allergies. The committee asked him what he wanted to do with his life. He said he wanted to become a Laparoscopic surgeon. One parent asked why he didn't want to become an allergist to help other kids with afflictions such as his own. His answer was, "because my allergies do not define me." I loved that answer.
For his Eagle project, he led a team that built a 30 foot retaining wall on the Makiki Valley Trail which is just above the Manoa Valley. It was a very challenging project because it was on a steep hill and the concrete blocks used to build the wall are about 90 pounds each. But, it turns out that the gravel back fill is one of the most important steps to enable the wall to last. I was very surprised to see how well organized my son was in bringing that team together. He did a really good job at setting the schedule and assigning various jobs to each of the boys and adults who showed up to help. He even had several motivational speeches he wrote for each day. I chuckled at that, but it was quite effective. In any event, if you get a chance to come to Oahu and you like to hike. Check out the Makiki Valley Trail. You can't miss the retaining wall as it completes the trail. The retaining wall enables a clear path walk way through a tree where you enter and exit the trail.
One down. Two son's to go.
In a board of review, a group of parents interview the Scout to test worthiness of the next rank. They ask questions ranging from what was your best and worst experience in Scouting to which values in the Scout law would you change if you could. Of course, his mom and I had to find out the questions and answers he gave. One stands out to me. This son is the one with the severe food allergies. The committee asked him what he wanted to do with his life. He said he wanted to become a Laparoscopic surgeon. One parent asked why he didn't want to become an allergist to help other kids with afflictions such as his own. His answer was, "because my allergies do not define me." I loved that answer.
For his Eagle project, he led a team that built a 30 foot retaining wall on the Makiki Valley Trail which is just above the Manoa Valley. It was a very challenging project because it was on a steep hill and the concrete blocks used to build the wall are about 90 pounds each. But, it turns out that the gravel back fill is one of the most important steps to enable the wall to last. I was very surprised to see how well organized my son was in bringing that team together. He did a really good job at setting the schedule and assigning various jobs to each of the boys and adults who showed up to help. He even had several motivational speeches he wrote for each day. I chuckled at that, but it was quite effective. In any event, if you get a chance to come to Oahu and you like to hike. Check out the Makiki Valley Trail. You can't miss the retaining wall as it completes the trail. The retaining wall enables a clear path walk way through a tree where you enter and exit the trail.
One down. Two son's to go.
Comment