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So, my question is, what is the problem with enjoying an activity as a social activity rather than a goal-achievement activity? If he chooses to spend his soci

So, my question is, what is the problem with enjoying an activity as a social activity rather than a goal-achievement activity? If he chooses to spend his social time in a softball league rather than Scouts, is he doomed to mediocrity for not training to become the best softball player he is capable of? Why didn't this conversation end at "sounds like Eagle Scout isn't for you, just make sure to be really good at something else"? The ultimatum of "Eagle or quit" is nonsensical to me. This person clearly has dedication to other parts of his life, and Scouts is just a soical outlet. Why should he give that up, how does that imply impending mediocrity?

caryme 16y ago
I completely agree. I hate when people ask me if I am an Eagle scout because I feel like they consider me a failure, or at least that I gave up, when I say no. But I don't feel that way myself. I had different priorities and different goals within scouting. For example, I could have done an Eagle project the summer after high school, but I left immediately to be a camp counselor at the church camp - something I had dreamed of doing since the third grade. Had I stayed home, I would have had the time to go through with a project. But I had different priorities. I wasn't in scouting for the Eagle. I was in it for the friends and for the adventure. I hiked, biked, and canoed. I helped my troop become more scout-led. I didn't do it halfway.
- SwellJoe 16y ago
  I hate when people ask me if I am an Eagle scout because I feel like they consider me a failure That's weird. I don't think I've ever been asked if I'm an Eagle Scout (I'm not; I dropped out at Life, a couple of badges and a project shy of Eagle) in the nearly two decades since I quit. I must not hang out with the kind of people that care about Boy Scout ranks.
chrisa 16y ago
While I certainly agree that it doesn’t imply mediocrity, my experience in Boy Scouts is this: While there are exceptions (see dagw’s comment below for example), I have found that scouts who aren’t interested in getting to eagle are a net drain on the troop. Boy Scouts is an organization that is about fun, yes, but it is also geared toward learning and building character. When a scout isn’t actively working toward a goal (the next rank, a new merit badge, etc), they have little else to do but distract others. I understand that not all activities have to be goal oriented, but I do have a problem when the behavior of un-interested scouts affects others in a negative way. On the other hand, if you’re committed to the troop and activities, but are simply not interested in eagle, (as many here have pointed out) – then yes, I agree.
- pyre 16y ago
  So everyone in the scouts has to be a goal-oriented go-getter? I had no idea that I was a net drain on the scouts simply for not being a type-a personality. What I read into your comment is more along the lines of: I think that the boys should be on 'this' projected curve of achievement going into the future, but these other boys that have no goal of meeting my projected curve are distracting the other boys that need to spend 100% of their time with their eyes on the prize. If the other scouts really are interested in making it to Eagle Scout then they will remain focused enough to get there. You have to consider the possibility that some boys will see it as a goal because they feel it is expected of them, but it doesn't hold any personal value to them. The uninterested boys that you see as a net drain are maybe the boys who have personally made the decision that they do not want to strive for that goal. Their decision could be affecting the other boys by showing them that not striving for Eagle Scout is also acceptable (but maybe they won't voice that aloud because their parents are the 'driving force' behind 'you must obtain Eagle Scout').

caryme 16y ago

I completely agree. I hate when people ask me if I am an Eagle scout because I feel like they consider me a failure, or at least that I gave up, when I say no. But I don't feel that way myself. I had different priorities and different goals within scouting. For example, I could have done an Eagle project the summer after high school, but I left immediately to be a camp counselor at the church camp - something I had dreamed of doing since the third grade. Had I stayed home, I would have had the time to go through with a project. But I had different priorities. I wasn't in scouting for the Eagle. I was in it for the friends and for the adventure. I hiked, biked, and canoed. I helped my troop become more scout-led. I didn't do it halfway.

SwellJoe 16y ago
I hate when people ask me if I am an Eagle scout because I feel like they consider me a failure That's weird. I don't think I've ever been asked if I'm an Eagle Scout (I'm not; I dropped out at Life, a couple of badges and a project shy of Eagle) in the nearly two decades since I quit. I must not hang out with the kind of people that care about Boy Scout ranks.

chrisa 16y ago

While I certainly agree that it doesn’t imply mediocrity, my experience in Boy Scouts is this: While there are exceptions (see dagw’s comment below for example), I have found that scouts who aren’t interested in getting to eagle are a net drain on the troop. Boy Scouts is an organization that is about fun, yes, but it is also geared toward learning and building character. When a scout isn’t actively working toward a goal (the next rank, a new merit badge, etc), they have little else to do but distract others. I understand that not all activities have to be goal oriented, but I do have a problem when the behavior of un-interested scouts affects others in a negative way. On the other hand, if you’re committed to the troop and activities, but are simply not interested in eagle, (as many here have pointed out) – then yes, I agree.

pyre 16y ago
So everyone in the scouts has to be a goal-oriented go-getter? I had no idea that I was a net drain on the scouts simply for not being a type-a personality. What I read into your comment is more along the lines of: I think that the boys should be on 'this' projected curve of achievement going into the future, but these other boys that have no goal of meeting my projected curve are distracting the other boys that need to spend 100% of their time with their eyes on the prize. If the other scouts really are interested in making it to Eagle Scout then they will remain focused enough to get there. You have to consider the possibility that some boys will see it as a goal because they feel it is expected of them, but it doesn't hold any personal value to them. The uninterested boys that you see as a net drain are maybe the boys who have personally made the decision that they do not want to strive for that goal. Their decision could be affecting the other boys by showing them that not striving for Eagle Scout is also acceptable (but maybe they won't voice that aloud because their parents are the 'driving force' behind 'you must obtain Eagle Scout').