The Eagle Scouts have arrived to campus, providing students with a new opportunity for leadership.
While many students may have been involved with Boy Scouts in their youth, the Eagle Scouts are an elite achievement few have reached. It is the highest rank in Scouting, and is earned through leadership, service and using the Scout Oath and Law in daily life.
“The rank order goes Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle and then Eagle Palms, which is more of an extra,” said sophomore public relations major and Eagle Scout Dave Clemente. “Eagle is still the max.”
Senior Unit Serving Executive of the W.D. Boyce Council of Boy Scouts of America Jonathan Cartner wanted to create an association to provide Eagle Scouts on Bradley’s campus with more opportunities to serve at the university, as well as to provide leadership to Peoria’s Boy Scouts.
“The idea for this association came from wanting to have a greater connection to Bradley University and the local Council of the Boy Scouts of America,” said Cartner. “Eagle Scouts are the best the Boy Scouts of America has to offer. They are our highest achievers and I was trying to think of a way to engage and involve those Eagle Scouts in the local scouting community but also to use their talents to support Bradley University as well.”
Cartner encourages students who are already accustomed to the Boy Scout community and the guidance skills taught in it to become involved with the Bradley association. Cartner said the association will emphasize the classic Eagle Scout element of student leadership on campus.
“The Bradley Eagle Scout Association will be an opportunity to engage some students who, through the Boy Scouts of America, have had exceptional leadership training to become involved in campus life,” he said.
The group will also focus on service for Bradley and the Peoria community.
“There will be opportunities to give back to the university through service projects and providing leadership to scouting groups in the area that need role models like them,” Cartner said. “The association will also have opportunities to participate in some fun high adventure activities and give back to the university.”
Cartner said students will have a chance to network with leaders in the Peoria area.
“Every month starting in the spring semester, Eagle Scouts will be invited to a lunch or breakfast hosted by business and community leaders in Peoria, giving those students an opportunity to network and interact with the key players in the Peoria community,” he said.
The first meeting of the Eagle Scout Association will take place Wednesday. Cartner said Eagle Scouts currently and not currently registered with the Boy Scouts of America are welcome to join. The meeting will take place in Bradley Hall, room 247 at 6 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided.
