After a year delay, the 2020 Summer Olympics are underway in Tokyo. If you are like me, you enjoy watching athletes of the highest caliber from around the world compete representing their respective nations. Many of these athletes have spent the better part of their lives training to compete on the world stage. As we conduct Scoutmaster Conferences, I speak with many of you about balancing extracurricular activities. Many Scouts who play sports seriously think that it is impossible to also reach Scouting's pinnacle – the rank of Eagle Scout. What if I told you that there are US Olympians who have earned the rank of Eagle? Although I do not have the statistics from the current games, the 2016 Summer Olympics had seven Eagle Scouts competing, to include Ryan Held who won a gold medal in the 4X100 freestyle relay. Three Eagle Scouts competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics, to include Chris Fogt who previously won a bronze medal in the 2014 Winter Olympics in the four-man bobsled. How would you like to compete against him in the Klondike Derby?
Colleges and employers look for well-rounded applicants. Many find a way to balance academic and athletic excellence with membership in the Boy Scouts of America, and even earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Too often, our self-doubt proves one's biggest obstacle and keeps the individual from reaching his or her potential. If you want it, you must set your sights on it and try. If it was easy, would it be worth having?
On my honor, I will do my best.