Not one, not two, but three members of Riverbank Boy Scout Troop 40 were awarded their Eagle rank at a Court of Honor on Saturday evening.
Since only two percent of Boy Scouts worldwide go on to attain their Eagle before they turn 18, it’s pretty rare to have three courts of honor happen at the same time. After that age, they are no longer eligible for the rank.
Families and friends of the trio gathered at the Sylvan Avenue chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where the Riverbank Ward meets. The LDS church sponsors the troop. Chad Orndoff, Hunter Mauchley and Kenkoku Miyakawa were each presented with their Eagle Scout designation at the ceremony.
After opening remarks, the scouts each received a challenge and a ‘charge’ to become the best Eagle Scouts they can be.
As they received the Eagle badge from unit leaders, each scout gave remarks thanking family, officials and friends who helped them along the way.
Then the new Eagle Scouts made awards of their own, presenting pins each to their mother and father, as well as awards to their mentors. The ceremonies were followed by refreshments.
Nationwide, the LDS Church has been a sponsor of local Boy Scouts of America troops, Explorer posts and Cub packs for more than 100 years. The affiliation provides the church with the heart of its Young Men’s organization activities.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For more than a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun.
Requirements to become an Eagle include: Earning a total of 21 merit badges, 10 more than required for the rank of Life Scout. They include various citizenship categories, personal improvement, preparedness and camping and outdoor activities. Some are optional, some required.
Scout ranks on the road to Eagle start at Tenderfoot and include Second Class, First Class, Star and Life scout levels, each with increasingly advanced requirements.
Also required for rank is the completion of an Eagle project, and a board of review.
Beyond the rank of Eagle, scouts can qualify for Palms with additional merit badges. The Bronze Palm represents five more merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15.
