Riverbank’s Troop 40 has a newly awarded Eagle Scout, but he scarcely has time to enjoy his award here. He’s leaving for college tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 31.
Scout Jared Bingham received his new rank at an Eagle Court of Honor, surrounded by scout leaders, family and friends, on Sunday evening.
During the ceremony, in addition to receiving his Eagle badge, he also presented his parents, dad Jeff and mom Shelby, with pins commemorating the event.
Before those presentations, he was chided by several adult leaders of Troop 40, who commented on his accomplishments on the Trail to Eagle.
Troop leader Jeff Kemp narrated a PowerPoint presentation for the assembly, which included a background on the significance of attaining the rank, the requirements that must be met, as well as the steps in advancement to achieve the goal.
The award is a performance-based achievement, Kemp noted, the standards of which have been well maintained over 117 years since the Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910. He said it has “a special significance, not only in Scouting, but higher education, business or industry, and community service.”
Although President John F. Kennedy was the first who was a Boy Scout, Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States, from 1974 to 1977, was the first that attained the Eagle Scout rank.
Other notable Eagle Scouts include science fiction and fantasy writer L. Ron Hubbard and film producer and Academy Award winning and highest grossing director of all time Stephen Spielberg.
Kemp pointed out, “Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about five percent of them do. Nevertheless, the goals of scouting — citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness — remain important to all scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle rank.”
He said the Eagle rank is the highest in scouting. To receive the award, requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills must be met. Of the more than 130 Merit Badges available to scouts, at least 21 Merit Badges must be earned, 13 of which are required, he said.
Other requirements include a service project and a Board of Review that checks completion of all requirements prior to applying to the National Council of Boy Scouts of America for advancement to Eagle rank.
Bingham’s service project was performed at an elementary school in Modesto. Living in the Crossroads area of Riverbank, he resides in the Sylvan School District, and graduated from a high school in Modesto.
Bingham received his award just in time, he told those in the audience, since he’s leaving for Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Boy Scout Troop 40 is sponsored by the Riverbank Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which meets in a Chapel on Sylvan Avenue in northern Modesto. They share the building with a Modesto ward.
Troop 40 is chartered by the Greater Yosemite Council, BSA, which is based in Modesto.
