Scoutmaster's Minute

Scouts, how many of you got to experience the solar eclipse?

How many have seen a previous solar eclipse?

Did any of you get to see them in totality?

When I watched the eclipse yesterday, I could not help but think of how it reminded me of the Scouting Program.

The rays of sun are much like the Aims of Scouting: character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The moon begins to advance slowly into the light of the sun, much like a Scout begins the path of achieving Scout, Tenderfoot, and onward. Moment by moment, soaking up more light…learning, absorbing more. The moon grows in presence, in knowledge, with the passing of each moment, with the advancement of each rank, until…

What happens in the final stages of the moon’s advancement is quite interesting. Now in the presence of having nearly the full moon in view, absorbing the last of the light remaining, the wind stills, Earth calms, birds go to rest, and crickets begin to waken. The result is a very peaceful scene. Humanity itself pauses from the normal hustle and bustle, to gather together to look up at a sight that is rare to behold in our solar system to behold, the moon is now fully visible and absorbs the remaining light of the sun.

Then…FLASH!  Totality! Everyone stares in awe of the aura that now glows like a halo, the light given off by the atmosphere of the sun, which provides an absolutely beautiful sight that inspires anyone who beholds. Those witnesses are in the umbra, in the presence of the Eagle Scout. 

Interestingly, out of 141 moons or satellites studied in our solar system, only 6% have the conditions to come close to our moon’s type of eclipse. You may also find it interesting that in 2022, only 6% of all Scouts reached the rank of Eagle.

Remember the eclipse as you continue your journey along the path to totality. Make the most of your Scouting journey, and if you desire, strive to be the 6%, to totality, to Eagle. People will be watching, and they will stand in awe.