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Eagle and OA here, late 80s. Don't recall OA being that big of a deal - - I remember a big award ceremony with Indian characters and lots of fire and reverent silence. I believe I was at Philmont and the weather was nice but cant recall.
My stronger memory was failing at wilderness survival at summer camp in the German Alps (Dad was Air Force). Although the motto was Be Prepared, I attempted to overnight in 40 degree, rainy weather with nothing other than a pocket knife and maybe some rope. I was wearing all cotton: jeans, jean jacket (it was the 80s), and cotton shirt and sweatshirt. Made a crappy shelter, but everything was wet. Somewhere around 1am I was shaking terribly from the cold and threw in the towel. I had mild hypothermia and was borderline delerious. There were a bunch of guys that made it though. Key difference was that they built a teepee style lean-to around a big tree and all huddled around the base. Lesson learned was to use nature's umbrella to keep you dry. Seems obvious in retrospect.
I couldn't wait to be done with Scouts as a kid (it was work and not "cool") , but I respect the experience more than ever as a parent. I've got my older son in Scouts now and the younger one will follow. It's an amazing program and develops tremendous skills and character.
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