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This is an annual event for the Boy Scouts in Bolingbrook and the surrounding
areas to get together and work on Merit Badges.
Scout troops arrive on Friday evening and camp on the Village grounds
until Sunday morning. During the day on Saturday, the Boy Scouts will be able
to meet with merit badge counselors to demonstrate their knowledge of the
skills required to earn merit badge(s). To earn some of the merit badges
the Scouts are required to have completed all of the prerequisite items
listed for an individual badge. There are four merit badge sessions. Each
session is one hour and twenty minutes in length. Many badges can be completed in a single
session, but some will require two or more sessions.
The Cub Scouts of Bolingbrook and the surrounding area also participate in this event. The Webelos
have an opportunity to work on two activity pins and learn the Boy Scout
joining requirements. There also is a "Cub Carnival" in the afternoon.
The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared"
Over the las several years we have had a lot of Scouts comming to Pathways to Eagle who were not prepared for the Merit Badges they requested.
As a result they were not able to complete their Merit Badges.
In addition many scouts who are registered have not selected the merit badges that they want to work on making it impossable for them to be assign to Merit Badge sessions.
We also have had a fair number of Scouts registering at the last minute, which means their choice of Merit Badges is limited and they do not have time to prepare for the ones they select.
When Scouts come in unprepared they are taking extra time with the counselor and that is not fair to the counselor and the other Scouts who are prepared in that Merit Badge Session.
It is important that Scouts "Be Prepared" for Pathways to Eagle by getting registered and selecting the merit badges they want to work on as soon as they can.
This also means that the P2E Unit Contact and the Scoutmaster must be sure that each Scout gets the information about Merit Badges in a timely manner so that the Merit Badges each Scout wants can be selected for Pathways to Eagle.
To encourage Scouts and leaders to "Be Prepared" we will be making changes to the registration process this year as follows:
- Unit and Individual registration will be closed at about 11:00 pm on July 30, 2013 this is several days before the event, no additions or changes can be made to registration after this date. This includes Merit Badge assignments.
- The last date to request a refund for an individual registration is July 20, 2013.
- Any Scouts not already assigned to Merit Badge Sessions will be assigned by the P2E staff based on the Merit Badges selected for that Scout.
Scouts that have not selected their Merit Badges to work on will NOT be able to work on Merit Badges at Pathways to Eagle.
- Scouts will NOT be able to change Merit Badges after registration closes on July 30, 2013.
We create printed Merit Badge cards for each Scout in each session, we need time to get them printed and then get the registration information to the Merit Badge Counselors.
- Merit Badge Counselors will NOT accept walk ins for Merit Badge Sessions.
Being sure that all of your Scouts are prepared for Pathways to Eagle is the responsibility of the Unit Contact.
Advancement to Eagle Rank
Just added to Pathways to Eagle is a session to be hosted by Phil Reyes, District Advancement Committee Chairman for Waapi Lenasawa, to provide an insight for new National Standards for Eagle Project. This session is to be presented in the Bolingbrook Village Board Room on Saturday, August 3, 2013 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The goal is to disseminate information about the new process to achieve a successful Eagle Project. There will be a presentation by Phil Reyes and a short period for questions. This meeting is open to all Scout leaders, Scouts and Parents from any council or district.
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Pathways to Eagle XXIV Weekend!
On behalf of the Village Clerk, Board of Trustees and myself, it is our pleasure
to again host this annual event. If longevity is a measure of success, Pathways
to Eagle is a resounding success. Not many events can withstand the test of time,
but the Pathways to Eagle weekend has evolved over the years, getting bigger and
better in every aspect of scouting.