Frustrated and Depressed

[Eagle94-A1]

I have a Scout aging out in less than 30 days.  He transferred into the troop a while ago, and his former troop was not great with paperwork. He is so close to Eagle, but I think he has given up. The family told me that if he didn't get Eagle by the end of the charter year, he would not be renewing. Then last minute turned in paperwork for scholarship to renew. Waiting to hear back about scholarship, but have not seen him since.

I've known the Scout since before Tigers. Families had been close in years past, but something happened between my sons and him, specifically related to some online game they played. And we have slowly drifted apart since. I know it is his decision to pursue Eagle or not with the time remaining. But it still frustrating, and a little depressing. I have gone to bat for him in his old troop, and the current troop. I know the challenges they family has faced over the years and have helped him in a variety of ways to the point that I have upset committee members protecting the Scout. If I have worked with this scout more than any other, except my own kids, over the past 30+ years, and it is upsetting to see him come so far, and not finish.

I know Eagle is not the ultimate goal of Scouting. I know he will take the lessons learned, and apply them throughout his life. I know. I know that despite the challenges he has overcome, he will go far.

But why I am getting frustrated and depressed, especially when I have not felt like this with other Scouts int he past?

 

[swilliams]

Because you care?  And maybe because it's extra-rewarding to see a scout that has faced challenges be able to accomplish the 'top achievement'?  It also sounds like you know this scout a bit more than perhaps others.

A scout in our Troop went from not being able to write a paragraph without the lines drifting across the page, to taking AP European History.  I think it's natural for us to root for the 'underdog' and want them to reach 'the pinnacle'.

[Eagle94-A1]

UPDATE:

Since the last post, the Scout has gotten off his duff and busting butt. Project got approved and is completed, he is in the post project paperwork. 1 MB that we both knew he had left is finished. The challenge  is two 90 Day MBs. I know he started them prior to transfer, and I think he finished one of them with me back in his old troop. Sadly they do not use blue cards, so know record. The other I knew he started. Going to have a long chat with him at the meeting, but he will be cutting it close.

 

[qwazse]

Reality check: now that he’s making the effort, he may still fall short.

But at least he’s making an effort. I think the thing that was depressing you was that period of lack of concern that befalls most teens. On some it happens at the most self-defeating moments.

[Armymutt]

I have a similar situation, but am in an even worse position to help.  It's very frustrating.  The Scout turns 18 in mid-June.  I talked to him for about 20 minutes at a meeting in early March.  He still has to do Personal Management and Personal Fitness.  He had time, but seemed disheartened.  I told him that it will be a difficult journey, but well worth the sense of accomplishment in the end.  He kept saying that there are other things to put on a college application.  I tried to discourage that point of view, but for some reason, these kids are fixated on that.  The other adults have been trying to help as best they can.  I didn't get much of an update this past weekend on our camp out.  It's rough caring for these kids.  I try not to fall back on my veterinarian survival mantra of "you can't care more than the client" because they are kids.

Edited yesterday at 12:38 AM by Armymutt