LEWISTON – Eagle Scouts from Androscoggin and Oxford counties and beyond gathered for the Abnaki District’s first Eagle Scout reunion and reception on May 23 at the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce office.

Sixteen Eagle Scouts, including those who are currently in the program, and Lorin Woods, who received his Eagle Scout Rank in 1949, attended.

The reception featured Eagle Scouts Nathan March, who gave the invocation; Jeffrey Begin and Earl Rogers, who served as color guard; and Tucker Adams, who shared his thoughts about the importance of his experiences earning the rank and the influence other Eagle Scouts have had on him.

Abnaki District Chairman Mark Adams talked about the district’s desire to keep Eagle Scouts connected and involved in the program while Vice Chairman Ed Desgrosseilliers shared some notes from Eagle Scouts who could not attend.

District Advancement Chairman Mike Leveille, who has overseen numerous Eagle Scout boards of review, also participated.

The Eagle Scout award is a performance-based achievement promoting citizenship training, character development and personal fitness earned by boys ages 11 to 17 in the Scouting program.

Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. That represents more than 1.7 million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1912.

For more information on Boy Scouting, Cub Scouting and Venturing, contact Abnaki District Executive Matt Mower at 797-5252, ext. 33, or e-mail him at [email protected]. The Abnaki District, Pine Tree Council, services the Scouting program in most of Androscoggin and Oxford counties.