Goals for Boys
 

I have a new Godson who shows great potential for becoming a handsome, intelligent little devil. If it is possible to be sentimental before the fact, I am. In that spirit, I have started a list of things a young man should know how to do before being let loose on the world. Here is a starter list, in no particular order:

Drive a standard transmission
Pilot a light aircraft (thanks TR)
Render first aid (to include penetrating trauma and starting an IV)
Sail a small boat without assistance
Shoot “Expert” with both rifle and pistol
Survive alone in the woods for one week w/ one day’s rations and whatever gear can be fit in pockets
Compose a poem in Latin
Offer a proper toast
Make a completely inappropriate toast
Ask a girl out without feeling nervous
Make people laugh at will
Deliver a eulogy
Prepare a balanced meal for the family w/o using the grill
Swim like a fish
Be able to discuss his favorite Bible passage
Develop a pleasant singing voice and the ability to read music
Extract concessions and/or compliance from hostile individuals w/o becoming angry
Read a contract and suggest appropriate revisions
Leave Dallas for NYC with no more than $100 cash; arrive within seven days with $500 cash w/o begging or committing a crime
Mix a drink for a lady
Train a dog
Fold the Flag properly
Retain at least one friend from Kindergarten for the rest of his life
Canvas his neighborhood on behalf of a political candidate
Develop a realistic personal budget


Thoughts? Additions? :)

Defend himself with no weapons, and with improvised weapons.

Ride a horse.

Make at least minor emergency repairs to a car or home.

Use a mechanic's or carpenter's basic tool kit to good effect without serious injury.

Work on a farm or ranch for at least a week.

Learn the basic constellations and major stars.

Hold his own in a formal debate.

Learn to read and speak at least one foreign language and be conversational in it.

Travel overseas and live among the local population for at least a month.

Develop a sense of personal responsibility.

Analyze information with a critical eye, and be able to articulate why he supports a position or political candidate.

Do something good for someone he does not know and who can not do anything for him in return.

Good thread.

TR

- Learn to Fly Fish (And tie his own fly, my Dad made me tie my own fly to use my first time fly fishing)
- Able to clean the guns after shooting expert
- Learn to rebuild an engine and repair cars. (Nothing manlier than being 'that guy' in college that was sought out to fix other people's cars for them when they couldn't using minimal tools)
- Learn etiquette. Opening doors, pulling out chairs, leading prayer before meals, etc.
- Always tip well
- Skin and dress a Deer

Congrats on the Godson

Man, this kid is going to have one heck of a busy childhood. :D

What else can I add... ah, something that'll help with everything else. The use of proper logical analysis, i.e. always trying to remain unbiased, rational, methodological, etc, to the highest level. A little bit of Philosophy 101, if you will.

Be able to recite the preamble to the U.S. Constitution from memory.

Be able to recite the Bill of Rights.

Every Christmas Eve, read Twas The Night Before Christmas to family and friends, before going to bed.

Get involved in sports, and learn the competitive spirit without loosing good sportsmanship.

Send Birthday, Christmas, Easter cards (and any other holiday that comes to mind), to his Grandparents, without being told to do so.

Learn proper respect for our Flag.

Learn the National Anthem and sing it proudly every time it's played.

Vist a VA nursing home, and listen to the people that are in there.

Volunteer his time at above said nursing home, or a VA in general.

Make His Mother and Father (and Godfather :D )proud in his accomplishments.

Learn not to dwell on his failures, but to learn from them and drive on.

Edit to add:

Develop a GOOD handshake. Strong and Firm, not weak and limp.

Learn to remove his hat and sunglasses when speaking to a Lady.

Be able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, before he starts school.

OMG. Forget teaching the kid, there's some things that have been mentioned that I still have to learn to do.....:D

-Run a mile

-Read a map

-Write legibly

-Have fun
-Be a kid.

Become an Eagle Scout.

My son did.

USMC recognized this and awarded him Lcpl. Did USMC basic the summer of his junior year at VMI.

Eagle Scout is awarded to the scout. He can't get there without your help!!

RF 1

This will ensure that he learns how to do just about everything else previously mentioned. :lifter

TR's suggestion that he spent a week or two on a farm or ranch should take care of the rest (or better yet, a week or two every summer).

This is very interesting, I have a 10yr old son myself, so far I love the list. I would add on to the expert shooting both left & right handed. I would change the asking out the girl without being nervous, that's what makes it special, change nervousness to confidence. Look forward to reading more and I will try to add some of mine own but looks like that may be tough. :munchin

A few more
 

I am relatively young, so I might not have 40+ years of hindsight , but what I do have is still fresh in my mind:)

But in all seriousness my father passed away when I was a teenager and this forced me to figure out some of the things previously listed by myself, and come up with a few of my own. I have spent some time making an informal list in my head, so when I do make a few of my own they will be fully prepared by the time they can enter into a contract with the United States Government.

Unhook a bra, one handed:)

Develop a self starting problem solving attitude (Car or computer breaks, fix it, if they don't know how, learn)

Instill the idea of never rewarding bad behavior whether it be in a professional, or personal context

Grammar and spelling

Develop good speaking skills

Start their own business at young age (Whether it be tutoring, lawn care, etc)

Research ability

Basic understanding of math and science. At least chemistry, physics and biology, trig (helps with land nav!) and calculus

Be able to write a resume, and do his own taxes by the age of 18


That is enough for now, I got a deployment to prepare for:lifter, and then selection

1. Learn about statistics and how they can be manipulated.

2. Balance a checkbook, critically review a bill/invoice and know how to maintain a high crdit score.

Two More Simple Goals
 

Know how to start a fire and purify (and find) water!

A basic survival task and impressive after he gets the confidence to ask a girl to go camping.