I Went through the whole round as a Cub, wolf, bobcat, bear, webelo, arrow of light. I got into the scout troop after that and am proud to say that I am an Eagle Scout ( a distinction that you never lose). Scouting for me was valuable life experience. Some of the merit badges are quite challenging and not always about outdoorsmanship. Citizen of the community, citizen of the nation, citizen of the world, personal management, and communications are all required merit badges to earn the Eagle. Take a look at the requirements here:

Merit Badges - MeritBadgeDotOrg


Check out what some others had to say about being or knowing Eagles here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/conve...le-scouts.html

Be careful Mark! The way they get you to volunteer is with the line "It's only two hours a week!" Ask my Dad how that worked out! He is now a shooting sports director at national camp school, a venture scout leader, an active member of the Order of the Arrow cook team, a roundtable committee member.....

It is very rewarding, you and your son are in for some wonderful memories. I would leave you with only one real piece of advice. Hip Belts. Whatever you do, when he starts to go hiking and needs a backpack (maybe not for years yet), for God's sake make sure the hip belt is decent. lol.

Have a great time!

-Rob