Family Life Merit Badge

Eagle Scouts and the Human Needs Food Pantry

Two local Boy Scouts soar to Eagle Scout Rank, plus find out what you can give to the Human Needs Food Pantry (it may not be what you think!)  It’s all here is today’s About Town.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is kind of a big deal -- I’ll even be a tad irreverent and say it’s pretty badass.  Because it takes years of dedication and hard work, it’s often abandoned by would-be scouts in pursuit of other activities. 

Boys who do ascend to the Eagle Scout Rank prevail through the academic and social challenges of school, all the while developing personal fitness, character and becoming contributors to their community. They truly deserve hefty congratulations. 

On June 10, Montclair Troop 12 Boy Scouts Joel Elder and Dashiell “Dash” McLaughlin, were celebrated in an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony held at St. James Church in Montclair.

“Dash and Joel traveled different paths to obtain their Eagle rank, but they are similar in many ways,” explains Troop 12 Co-Scoutmaster, Jeff Gaskin. “They both stayed involved in the program and they still work with new scouts in helping them learn scouting skills. To see them develop into such well-rounded young men makes a Scoutmaster proud.”

Fellow scouts, friends and family of the young men attended the honor ceremony.  In addition, regional scout leaders and local politicians lent their support including, Grey Rolland -- Boy Scouts Northern New Jersey Council (NNJC) Director of Support Service, Dan Caplan - NNJC Eagle Coordinator, John Picinich - Boy Scouts Broken Arrow District Representative, Kathryn Weller-Demming -- Montclair Deputy Mayor, Adam Veenstra – Representing Congressman Bill Pascrell, Thomas Giblin - Deputy Majority Leader 34 Congressional District and Bill Brady – Post Adjutant, American Legion Post 201.

“The ceremony was great,” says Troop 12 Eagle Advisor BSA, Marguerite Giustina. “It's always so inspiring to see these kids present their projects and then get so much recognition from politicians and scout leaders.” 

The projects Giustina refers to are just a few of the many requirements to achieve Eagle Scout rank.  Contenders must, according to the Boy Scouts of America guidelines http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/eagle.aspx , “plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community.

The 604 Adventure | Blog | Merit Badge Counselor

Scouts:

I have just submitted paperwork to be approved as a Merit Badge Counselor for the following badges: American Heritage, Citizenship Community, Citizenship Nation, Citizenship World, Emergency Preparedness, Family Life, and Law. If you are interested in earning any one or more of these (note four of the are required for the Eagle rank), please let me know.

Additionally, if there is a particular merit badge that you need or want to earn, let me know and I will do what I can to get approved to be a counselor for that badge.

Misty:

My plan is to start after summer camp. I’ll make an announcement to the troop then. I will not run a formal class like others do, but instead will allow each Scout to start with me when ready, and progress at his pace. It will be up to Dylan to ensure he starts and completes the requirements for any particular merit badge he does with me. I will be arriving at the scout meetings early to mentor Scouts who endeavor to do one of these badges. Have Dylan see me after summer camp.

Glad to hear someone is excited about them.

Thank you.

Boys' Life

Boys' Life

Boys' Life

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Merit badge series, Family life