The web has changed dramatically since EagleVision was created. In order to reach out to scouts, regardless of where they are or what device they use, EagleVision 2.0 providers a better user experience for all platforms, especially mobile devices.
EagleVision also has many new features. QuoteBoard takes short snippets from Insight and shares them in a concise manner. For people looking for a short read, or just a few inspiring quotes, this is the place to go. EagleVision now supports...
Family Support - Debra Givens
As the proud parent of an Eagle Scout, I had the pleasure of watching my son grow up from a young boy to a man through scouting over 11 years. My husband and I encouraged him to join scouts as a Tiger Cub; our daughter was active in Girl Scouts.
Scouting started with a group of young boys and their parents learning about scouting by participating in Den meetings and Pack meetings, Pinewood Derby events, Rocket Days and a few hikes. After the first year, things progressed and the boys went...
A Green Globe - Christopher Contag
The predictions regarding global climate change that were made 30 years ago indicated that the effects would not be felt until right about now. The good news about feeling the effects now, is that the topic has finally become part of the global agenda, and is being discussed over cups of coffee with neighbors as well as among world leaders. The bad news is that we knew this was coming 30 years ago. Human nature is such that we live from crisis to crisis rather than being thoughtfully...
Ashes of the Past - Michael Miller
Fire has a special spot in a Scout’s heart. Can you remember your first outing and sitting by the campfire? How you were drawn to sit by it, stare into it and then feed it with a stick? Then you learned how to make a fire! First you made fire with matches and then maybe with only a bow and a stick. It brought you warmth, joy, excitement and wonder. Perhaps there was the time that you might have had to dry out a pair of wet socks or a damp sleeping bag before you could sleep. Remember the...
Rock-bound lake - Christopher Contag
Holding a half pound of smoked salmon in my right hand, I stood in the grandeur of a lake bound by seven hundred foot rock walls. Through the crystal clear water of the lake I could see a single set of moose tracks left by an animal as alone then as I am now. People use the expression “breath taking” frequently, but have you ever really experienced it–I was witness to the beauty of creation and I felt it.
Earlier that afternoon I knew I was entering grizzly country when I heard the ring...
What is a bridge to a fish? - Christopher Contag
This story was inspired by a book entitled, "Definitely Maybe" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky dealing with the unknown influences of the universe on humanity.
A school of trout lived in the shade of bridge that spanned a mountain stream—but what is a bridge to a fish?
In discussing the origin of their universe, one fish declared that they should thank the creator for the structure that protected them from the heat of the sun and the threat of predatory birds, and for the depth and...
Childish or childlike - Christopher Contag
Just before my oldest daughter was born, my wife and I were taking parenting classes, and during the class they asked each of us, “What are you most looking forward to with the birth of your first child.” As I listened to the other future parents’ answer, I considered my future as a parent. When it was my turn I answered, “I am looking forward to the day when I am holding my daughter’s hand as we walk down the beach, and she asks me, Daddy, why is the sky blue.”
After she was born I...
The significance of rank advancement - Christopher Contag
Two years ago the theme of our wilderness survival weekend was, “where to find clean water in a survival situation”. In preparation for that campout I read a book that became one of my favorite books. Its title is, “The secret knowledge of water: there are two ways to die in the desert: dehydration and drowning”. This book was written by a Craig Childs who has spent his entire adult life wondering the America Southwest and learning about the desert and the Anasazi people who lived there. The...
Scouting Adventures - Ian Miller
As an Eagle Scout of troop 508 I look back on my time in scouting fondly. Learning to backpack in the Emigrant, chasing rockets in Death Valley, capture the flag at Dillion Beach, all of these things remain close to my heart. One of the most important messages scouting left with me was the value of curiosity. I will not bore anyone with the life "wisdom" of a college student but I will say this, scouts taught me to embrace new experiences. This is one thing that has stayed with me since...
It Takes a Village - Bill Turpin
As I attended an Eagle Court of Honor yesterday, there was a recurring theme mentioned by many of the participants: It takes a whole community of people to "make" an Eagle scout. I don’t want to downplay the amount of determination and hard work that it takes for each scout to become an Eagle. But, the fact is, becoming an Eagle scout isn’t a solo achievement – it cannot be accomplished without involving other people. In fact, it takes many people.
Here are some of the other people...
An arrow's time-of-flight - Christopher Contag
Regardless of your heritage, your ancestor's hunted with bows and arrows–it may have been many generations ago and on another continent, but each of us had ancestors that used these tools for survival. Whether a connection to my past or just a desire to practice ancient arts, the draw of archery has pulled at me from childhood and well into adulthood. Some of my most spectacular memories were obtained with a traditional recurve bow in my hand and cedar wood arrows quivered on my back. The...
Freedom through obligations - Christopher Contag
When high school students, college students or graduate students ask me why I decided to get my Ph.D., I invariably answer, "Because I wanted to be free." This is often met with quizzical looks and I can see in their faces that they are counting 4 years of college, 4-5 years of graduate school , 4 years of postdoctoral internship and thinking, "How can 12-15 years of training be freedom?"
To answer this question, try this thought process. How many of you have obligations at work… who has...
Founder's Remarks - Michael Chen
With so many successful soaring Eagle Scouts around the world, it’s disappointing not to be able to meet them on a daily basis. Perhaps some of the most influential and inspirational people on our planet are Eagle Scouts, but it’s rare for them to have the time to meet with us. But on EagleVision, every scout can meet these soaring Eagles. Every scout can reply to his words, and the rest of the world can see. Here is our chance to connect, so Welcome to EagleVision!
