My older son just turned 15 last week and is about to make Star, as I posted. He has already completed part of the SM conference for Star but it turned out he needed one more week as a patrol leader, so they're planning to finish it up next week.
We're just hoping the fumes don't get him... I know a lot of Scouts lose interest as they get older. I hear that Star is where a lot of them lose motivation or drop out.
I think merit badges are what keeps this one of mine going. He loves them and always has a few in-process.
Also we are fortunate to be a terrific troop with great leadership and lots of parental involvement.
Let me know how your nephew does..you were amazing to reach Eagle at 15. Did you get Palms after that? My son wants to get 3 Palms - we're assuming it's ok to get the merit badges now..
My dad earned 42 merit badges...just because 21 was the minumum requirement. I moved on on DeMolay after making Eagle. Served as 7th Preceptor, Senior Councilor and Master Councilor. They needed some leadership. I was able to double the size of the chapter and keep folks active. I headed off to UCSD at age 17 and didn't have much time for Scouts or DeMolay. 18 to 22 units per quarter doesn't leave much free time. I graduated in June 1972 at age 19 with a degree in Molecular Biology.
The broad range of skills acquired in Scouts via merit badges and leadership positions continues to pay dividends. Attaining a particular rank is like getting a gold star on a spelling test. It's what you learned on the way that matters.