Boy Scouts working on their Eagle Scout service projects in Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Somerset and Franklin counties in 2016 provided more than 6,500 hours of service to their communities as they worked towards Scouting's highest honor. The Kennebec Valley District Boy Scout committee released the numbers on the 2016 Eagle Scout class and they show that 37 young men in our area completed all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank and one female Venture Crew member from Winslow who has dual citizenship in Canada earned Scouts Canada's equivalent to the Eagle badge- the Chief Scout of Canada. Together they provided leadership to projects that gave 6,635 hours of service.

Eagle Scout requirements

Over the years, requirements for the Eagle Scout Award have changed to meet the needs of the era; however, certain elements of the program have remained true from the original Eagle Scout requirements. A boy must demonstrate citizenship and caring for his community and others, leadership qualities, and outdoor skills that show his self-sufficiency and ability to overcome obstacles. Today, a boy must earn 21 merit badges, 12 of which are required: First Aid, Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Swimming or Hiking or Cycling, Communications, Family Life, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, and Environmental Science. Beyond the merit badges, a candidate must also plan and carry out a service project to benefit the community. In addition, he must have held a troop leadership position during his Scouting tenure. Finally, the Eagle Scout candidate undergoes a rigorous board of review in which his district, council, and troop leaders evaluate his “attitude and practice of the ideals of Scouting.” Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout must happen before a boy’s 18th birthday.

Leaders

Scouting in Kennebec Valley District is run by hundreds volunteer leaders with support from a small professional staff. One of the key leaders is District Commissioner Charlie Fergusson of Windsor. "The importance of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout cannot be overstated! The impact it has on, not only the Boy Scouts' future, but also the parents and family of the Eagle Scout. It is an accomplishment never forgotten. I am forever proud that I have two sons who achieved scouting's' highest rank that there are no words that can do it justice. It has already opened so many doors of opportunity for both of them, such as colleges and career opportunities. I cannot tell you how many times when I have discussed scouting that someone has said they have a Father, Brother, or Brothers who are Eagle Scouts and how it has immeasurably improved their life circumstances. Eagle Scout is more than a rank in scouting. It is a life changer," Fergusson said.

Projects

Part of the rank of Eagle requires the youth member to give leadership to a meaningful project that will benefit their community. Kennebec Valley District, which delivers Scouting to the five counties of Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Franklin and Somerset, saw projects ranging from trail improvements in Benton to the preservation of the history of local veterans at the Library of Congress, from tree and plant identification signs at Smithfield Plantations to the collection of school supplies for needy children in Zambia, from the construction of costume racks and theatre improvements at Gardiner Area High School to the securing of back to school supplies for kids in the foster child program, and from the construction of a bridge at the West Gardiner Nature Trail to the crafting of 50 baby quilts for sick babies and toddlers at Reddington Fairview General Hospital, and from major improvements at the Quaker Hill Cemetery in China to the building of lockers for personal equipment at Titcomb Mountain Ski Area in Farmington. The list goes on and on.

Southport Scouts

Sarah Sherman of Southport worked with two Eagle Scouts last year in her role as Scoutmaster of Troop 238. “Both Jacob Bishopp and Draco Peaslee are hardworking young men. Draco built a wheelchair ramp and new stairs for the Boothbay Region Fish and Game Club making the clubhouse handicapped accessible as his Eagle Scout project. Jacob created a part of the Southport Methodist Church for the entire community to enjoy."

History and value

The Eagle Scout badge was first given in 1912 to Arthur Eldred, a Scout from Brooklyn, New York. By 1982, more than 1 million young men had reached the rank, and the 2 millionth Eagle Scout was recognized in 2009. In 2011, the BSA welcomed more than 51,000 new Eagle Scouts. The organization has averaged more than 50,000 new Eagle Scouts per year over the past six years.

Kathryn Dingley Gurney of Industry, parent of 2016 Eagle Scouts Michael and Alexander Gurney, said, " Boy Scouts is a program that has allowed our boys to experience adventures that they would not get anywhere else, all the time allowing the entire family to be involved in the journey."

Young men who earned Eagle nationally in 2015 combined to record 8,503,337 hours of service on Eagle projects. That’s an average of 156.4 hours of service per Eagle project. With the value of volunteer time at $23.07 an hour, that means Eagle Scouts and the volunteers they led contributed more than $196 million worth of time working on these projects.

John Wood of Hope has worked with many of the Scouts in this area as they complete all the requirements for Eagle. “I enjoy my time in Scouting. I get a chance to help and be an influence on kids who want to make positive impact in our communities and our country.”

Scouts learn why it’s important to be of service to others, how to lead and how to be strong contributors to their communities. The Scout Oath and Scout Law guide them to grow up to be young men of good character, help them meet the challenges of an ever-changing society and serve as role models for others.

Vernon Bradeen, Scoutmaster and District Advancement Committee volunteer from Warren  said, "I believe Scouting prepares young men for adulthood more than any other program out there. Scouts learn respect for themselves and others, respect for country and authority. They learn how to interact with adults through merit badges and service projects. Boards of review teach them skills that are important for job interviews as an adult. As a Scoutmaster I get to watch the Scout progress from a child to a young man and can see the change as it happens. My Troop is a vital part of our community, they know we will always do our best!"