Eagle Project Satisfaction

Statistics show that only 7% of boys who are in the scouting program actually achieve their eagle scout award.  It's not a surprising number to me, as I have come to believe that being successful in boy scouts definitely requires not only a huge time commitment, but also determination from the scout (and not to mention a WHOLE LOT OF DETERMINATION from their parents!)  Parker was of no exception to the above, and he may or may not have on occasion been literally pushed out the front door to finish his scouting path.  However, as his eagle project unfolded and he could see many lives being changed and brightened, it was evident to Parker that this scouting experience would forever be a sweet and touching memory for not only Parker, our family,  but also for all others who helped with the project.

Several months ago, Parker visited a Chinese retirement home (Cherish Yearn) fairly close to our home, and asked some of their residents if they would be interested in participating in his BSA Eagle project.  The particular residents were enrolled in an English class at their retirement center, and most of their spoken/written English was already quite good.  Parker invited each of them to write personal stories that had impacted their lives, and also urged them to attach any pictures that they would like included in their stories.  He told them he would return in a couple weeks with many other boy scouts to interview them and read their stories, help them edit their stories, and then finally Parker would compile all the stories into a memory book for each of the participants to keep.  The residents were thrilled and excited to say the least, as many of them had little or no written personal histories. 

One week later, Parker received a call from the leader of the English class telling him that unfortunately the class had changed their minds, and none of the participants were willing to take place in the project.  Parker was devastated, and asked why the sudden change??  The leader was quick to tell Parker that each and every one of the participants had lived through the dark years of China's revolution, and each of them still feared having their lives taken from them by expressing any feelings of hatred and animosity towards their government.  They were incredibly scared that anything they would write in their personal stories could be used against them.

The next day, Parker made another personal visit to Cherish Yearn, and the English class members.  He talked with the class, and expressed his understanding of their fear and concern, and then pleaded to them for their trust in him for this project.  (I have to admit I was very doubtful, but by the time we left, all participants were back on board,  and even more excited to be part of Parker's project.)

The scheduled day of the visit to Cherish Yearn arrived, and Parker along with handfuls of scouts, church members, and volunteers from the community showed up to participate in the project.  What an absolute joy it was to watch as these sweet Chinese elderly people shared their stories and feelings to each of the volunteers.  It was impossible to measure who it benefit more, as you could feel the energy from everyone in the room.

After many hours of Parker typing and compiling the participants' stories into a book, he returned to Cherish Yearn's English class. After expressing his thanks to each of them for their participation,  Parker handed each member one of the finished memory books.  For the next half hour there was not a sound in the room, as each member read over not only their personal story, but each of their classmate's stories as well.  Hugs, handshakes, and huge smiles from each of the member's were received by Parker which he definitely appreciated.  However, most of all,  Parker received a personal satisfaction for a job well done, a strong lesson of his personal freedoms of being an American, and lifetime of new Chinese friendships!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO PARKER FOR A FANTASTIC EAGLE PROJECT!!