Scoutmaster's Minute & Coach's Corner
as part of a Mountain Top Experience

One creature was made to "ride the high places", to soar where the air is thin, to reach heights no others can reach, to fly free above the crowd. This creature is the EAGLE!

Since the beginning of time, the eagle was honored. The Sumerians released an eagle at funerals to carry the departed spirit to the heavens. The Greeks thought of the eagle as a messenger from Jupiter because no creature flew higher. The Romans called the eagle "Aquila". Caesar's legions carried the symbol of the eagle on banners of the vast Roman Empire.

A likeness of the eagle has graced the flags of nations, the prows of great sailing ships, the nameplates of high-flying airplanes, and the cockpit of the first manned craft to land on the moon.

The noble eagle mates for life, builds its nest (called an 'aerie') in the tops of trees or on cliffside ledges. The aerie spreads wider than a man's reach, room for the great eagle to stretch its 7-foot wings. An eagle's wings have the strength to lift heavy loads, the power to fly at highway speeds, and the stamina to keep the mighty bird aloft for hours.

This feathered embodiment of strength and independence is the envy of all creatures and the symbol of our nation. It stands for freedom. It stands for character. It stands for the values all great men and women strive to achieve. The eagle reaches for the summit, often alone, but never lonely.

From its vantage point high above earthbound creatures, the eagle looks beyond the horizon, its vision enhance by the lofty position. It sees clearly what most can only imagine. It sees both good and evil, but chooses goodness. It sees both great and small, but chooses greatness. It sees both freedom and oppression, but chooses freedom.

The graceful eagle spreads mighty wings to climb above the mountains. Once aloft, the wise eagle senses supporting currents on warm air, and glides on them effortlessly, saving its great strength, soaring around dangerous downdrafts and riding the "high places".

With vision broadened by perspective, the eagle selects goals carefully. It can see a mouse darting across the meadow far below, a fish swimming beneath the ripples. The powerful bird trims it mighty wings, twists and turns them ever so slightly to guide its descending body, extends sharp talons, and the once tranquil creature becomes a screaming mass of muscle, focused on a single point, plunging in a straight line toward that goal.

The eagle's singleness of purpose begins with vision. But no creature is born with the vision of an eagle, not even an eagle. The young bird is helpless. It must be fed and nurtured and taught by its parents. Every eagle learns greatness one step at a time, just as every great symphony is composed one note at a time and every great book takes shape one word at a time. Greatness comes slowly, with patience, guided by vision, shaped by ability, polished by practice. Day by day, the eagle learns to reach for the sun. Even when the weather turns bad, the eagle learns. The storm is a challenge, a test of skills, an opportunity to grow, develop, and strengthen those skills. Storms bring out the eagles!

The eagle calls out to us, "Come ride the high places. Look up. Climb to the tops of mountains. Look beyond the horizon. Your wings are knowledge, foresight, understanding. Expand your vision each day. Learn from those who go before you. Seek you own greatness, one day at a time. Observe from the high ground. Set your goals high. Focus your efforts on them. Stand above the crowd. Choose your values carefully. Values are warm, rising currents of air. High values carry you upward. Soar with them, and you soar effortlessly. Steer clear of the downdrafts. They pull you down. When trouble comes, as it surely will, let every storm bring out the eagle in you."

In an aerie, an eaglet hears its parents' call. Now, these eaglets are dependent, but one day at a time they build their strength, choose their goals. Soon, they will test their wings, first near the safety of the nest, and then upward in the clear, blue sky, and finally in the heart of the storm.

The majestic eagle shows the way. Come -- ride the high places!