Communities benefit from thousands of hours of service by Eagle Scouts

SKOWHEGAN — 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 toward Scouting’s highest honor.

The Kennebec Valley District Boy Scout committee said 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.

Over the years, requirements for the Eagle Scout 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 before his 18th birthday.

Ryan Poulin is the Scoutmaster of Troop 401 in Sidney and saw several Scouts earn their Eagle rank last year. “In today’s society, the Scouting program couldn’t be more important to a young person. I have personally experienced the impact that the Scouting program has had on these individuals and their families. The scouting program has been and continues to be a pillar in our local community setting a strong foundation for everyone.”

The Eagle Scout badge was first given in 1912 to Arthur Eldred, a Scout from Brooklyn, N.Y. 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.

Congratulations to the following local Scouts who passed the final step for Eagle in 2016!
JANUARY
Michael Gurney, Troup 546 Temple
Devon Handley, Troup 401 Sidney
MARCH
Garrett Brown, Troup 672 Gardiner
Parker Denico, Troup 410 Vassalboro
Josh Emery, Troup 404 Hartland
James Guillaume, Troup 546 Temple
Aaron Montell, Troup 672 Gardiner
Hayden Rodrigue, Troup 698 Litchfield
Brandon Stevens, Troup 428 Detroit
Christopher Wilson, Troup 404 Hartland
APRIL
Jonathon Cook, Troup 431 Skowhegan
Dan Brown, Troup 479 China
Jacob Brown, Troup 479 China
MAY
Tayler Croft, Troup 417 Waterville
Alexander Gurney, Troup 546 Temple
Devon Varney, Troup 428 Pittsfield
JUNE
Christian Hunter, Troup 479 China
Paige Spears Crew 433 Winslow (Chief Scout of Canada)
JULY
Alex Hart, Troup 613 West Gardiner
AUGUST
Owen Corrigan, Troup 401 Sidney
Dylan Haskell, Troup 613 West Gardiner
William Neubauer, Troup 485 Skowhegan
SEPTEMBER
Zackary Morrell, Troup 546 Temple
OCTOBER
Adnrew Walker, Troup 613 West Gardiner
NOVEMBER
Jeremiah Childs, Troup 698 Litchfield
Matthew Cote, Troup 401 Sidney
Matrim Glazier, Troup 436 Waterville
Timothy Martincic, Troup 433 Winslow
Ryan Pellerin, Troup 446 Albion
DECEMBER
Dan Crouse, Troup 417 Winslow/Waterville
Jonathan Jacques, Troup 518 Wilton
Jacob Lennon, Troup 446 Albion

PHOTO CAPTION:
Eagle Scout Willie Neubauer and his mother, Angela, holding one of the 50 quilts that were donated to the sick children at Reddington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan.