I might have already expressed my opinion on this; however, I am going to give my thoughts once again. First of all, I tend to have an old-fashioned way of thinking. I understand and agree with the thought that we should make everyone feel important with the “everybody gets a medal” thought process, but I think it is necessary to have people understand why competition is still important in our society.
This last weekend I had a chance to give out an award at Camp Baker to Ian Freel during the Lodge’s Induction Weekend. The award was the 2022 Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. Congratulations Ian! During the presentation I told a story about someone I once met that grew up just outside of Cimarron, New Mexico. He had told me that he didn’t get his Eagle because his best friend had done “the best” Eagle project that could be done, in his mind. He was never going to top it.
After that story and the introduction, I introduced Ian to the group.to talk about his Eagle Project. As Ian was talking, he indicated that very similar to the person in my story, he did not want his project to be just another project. He wanted his project to stand out, to be better than his peers. I think that kind of thought process is good for our society. I think wanting to be good at your job, or something you are passionate about, is good for our society.
I was raised by a father that coached several sports and a very supportive mother. Growing up they let me decide where my passion was. My passion became wrestling. I will tell you that my goal in high school was to become an Iowa State Champion. My first year competing as a sophomore I qualified for state and lost to the eventual champion in the first round 4-0. My junior year, my dedication and drive helped me to a fourth-place finish. In my mind, I was sure, if I worked that much harder, I could be state champion my senior year. Although I beat the eventual state champion in our dual meet, I did not place that year.
Did not placing and getting a medal that final year affect me for life? I don’t think so. Yes, I remember it and it did bother me. However, I also think it encouraged me to want to do better in the future, in whatever I chose to do. In college I still continued to wrestle. My goal was to qualify for the NCAA wrestling championships. In my sophomore year, I lost 8-7 in the finals that determined who went to the Nationals. Again, it bothered me, but did not scar me for life.
I tell you these stories so that you know that our Scouts strive to be the best, they strive to be people that the rest of our society look up to. I think that is what makes our Scouts stand above the rest of the youth in our communities. I think their desire to be the best in things that they do, makes them the future leaders of tomorrow.
I think that we as adults, working in the Scouting program, owe it to our youth to have that same mindset. We owe it to our Scouts to give them a quality program that helps them reach those goals. Why not strive to make your Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, or Post the best unit in the council? Who benefits from that mindset? Our Scouts? Us, as leaders and parents? Our society? I think it benefits everybody. Let’s push to make our unit “The Best”, not just another unit that is alright with earning that “participation medal”.
As always, you all have my appreciation for what you do in Scouting! Thank you for taking the time to read this artic
