Looking forward to the next Eagle Scout Boards of Review.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
6:45 pm
Never having been a Scout myself, you would think this is something I really should not be doing. Yet I have worked with Scouts for over 20 years, and my experience with community service projects and builds is extensive, as is my knowledge of trail design, volunteers, and project planning.
Being a bit on the outside actually helps. I bring a fresh perspective to the process.
What I take away each time is a better understanding of the entire Scout journey. I also learn how different towns work with volunteers and what is allowed and what is not. I do tend to ask questions about ADA access and accessibility, which helps keep that front of mind for both Scouts and leaders.
My main focus is always the projects. What was built and why, what challenges came up, what worked, and what did not. The project itself is only a small part of the Eagle journey. What matters more is how the Scout worked with fellow Scouts, adults, and the town, and how they handled obstacles along the way.
Even if a project could not be completed exactly as planned, that does not mean the Scout should not earn the rank. Again, it is about the journey.
I always keep this line from Star Trek: The Next Generation in mind:
“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not weakness; that is life.”
Jean-Luc Picard
Looking forward to this next review and to meeting another young person who has already achieved so much, with so much more still ahead.
– Phil