Recently Troop 5 had their first Eagle Scout Court of Honor in several years. What is more exciting is that this was only the first Eagle Scout Court of Honor this year. We look forward to at least one more!
An Eagle Scout Court of Honor is different from other court of honor’s because it is a celebration of achieving a difficult accomplishment. On average around 5% of youth who start the Scouting journey reach this level. But it is also celebrated because of the many requirements a youth has to accomplish to achieve this, highest rank in Scouting America’s flagship youth development program.
What is an Eagle Scout? Here is an excerpt from “The Eagle Scout Court of Honor Book” by Mark Ray.
The 1938 Handbook for Scoutmasters put it this way:
The badges which accompany his advancement and which the Scout wears on his uniform are not to show that he has “passed certain tests.” There should be no past tense implied! On the contrary, each badge cries out “I can, right now and here!”
So what can the Eagle Scout do? Let’s take a look at some of the things they have done in preparing to be an Eagle Scout.
In terms of badges, they have earned the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally Eagle. Along the way, they earned 13 required merit badges and eight elective merit badges, served in troop leadership positions for a total of 16 months, and spent at least 16 hours on service projects, not including the many hours they spent on their Eagle Scout service project. In all, they have completed approximately 325 different requirements.
So, what have these requirements taught them? Who is the Eagle Scout?
First and foremost, of course, they are an outdoorsman. They know how to camp, swim, hike, use woods tools, build a fire, use a camp stove, and find their way with map and compass. They spent at least 20 days and nights camping out in a tent they pitched on a site they selected. Many of those times they planned their own menu and cooked their own food.
The Eagle Scout is comfortable with nature. They can identify local animals and plants, including poisonous plants. They understand the causes of water, land, and air pollution and participated in at least one conservation-related service project.
They embody the Scout motto, “Be Prepared.” They know how to treat fractures, head injuries, hypothermia, convulsions, frostbite, burns, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, even knocked-out teeth. He knows what to do in case of fire, explosion, desert emergency, motor-vehicle accident, mountain accident, food poisoning, gas leak, earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, nuclear emergency, and avalanche.
The Eagle Scout is a good citizen. They have been to a city meeting and knows how the city government is organized. They know who his U.S. Senators and Representative are and have written a letter to one of them about a national issue. They read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
They know how to manage their money and understands the risks and benefits of putting his money in savings bonds, mutual funds, common stock, certificates of deposit, and life insurance. They have set financial goals and made plans to achieve those goals.
The Eagle Scout has also set and worked toward fitness goals. They have competed against themself in tests of aerobic endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength. They know what it means to be physically, mentally, and socially fit.
They are a good family member. They know what things are important to the members of their family and has talked to their family about finances, drug abuse, and growing up.
All of these things they did in order to earn the merit badges required for Eagle. Beyond those, they earned eight elective merit badges, which introduced them to additional subjects. They have over 120 different subjects to choose from. So, what is an Eagle Scout? Well, to quote that old Handbook for Scoutmasters again, they are a young person “who is qualified to help others as well as take care of themself.” Their badge is not “a decoration, but rather a symbol of knowledge and ability.”
Elijah was the Scout from Troop 5 who reached this goal. Here are a few words from him:
From the first campout I attended as a new Scout, I have grown in ways I never expected. Scouting has taught me responsibility, perseverance, and how to lead through service rather than authority. Whether it was guiding younger Scouts on their first overnight hike, planning a camporee event, or learning how to solve problems under pressure, each experience shaped me into a more confident and mature young man. Serving in leadership positions taught me how to listen, how to stay patient when things do not go according to plan, and how to bring a group together toward a shared goal. These experiences formed my character and helped me understand the values I want to carry into my future.
In the short term, my goals in high school are centered around sports and personal development. I aim to challenge myself physically and emotionally with jobs, courses, and activities. I am especially focused on improving my skills in Track and Field and Football, as these sports are the ones I enjoy the most. Outside of school, I want to be active with my friends and continue working in my community to make money but also to build myself as a better human.
After graduation, I plan to join the United States Marines. I have been engaged in my activities and jobs to better my work for when I join the Marines, I have worked as a lifeguard, done in water rescues and have committed myself to making my body as strong and ready as possible to becoming a Marine. I enjoy shooting firearms and spend a lot of time on a homemade range I made with my younger siblings. After that I can’t say I’m certain on what I may become but I am ready for whatever God calls me to do. In the long term, I envision building a strong and supportive family and staying actively involved in my community as my community did for me. I hope to continue my connection to Scouting, whether by volunteering as an adult leader or supporting younger Scouts as they work toward their own ranks. Helping the younger generation has always been important to me because, like it or not they are the future, so you might as well teach them everything you know and make them turn out in the best way possible. I want the values of scouting and the Bible to guide the way I raise a family, contribute to my community, and live my life through everything I do.
Elijah had the honor to have Indiana State Representative for District 18 David Abbott at his Court of Honor. Mr. Abbott spoke briefly and presented an Indiana state flag that was flown over the capital building in his honor. This along with the other speakers and guests present made the event a special celebration of a great achievement.
Troop 5 and Troop 70 Goshen, Indiana 