The Boy Scouts of America have been around for 100 years and the highest rank that can be obtained is Eagle Scout. On March 8, 2008 an Eagle Scout Court of Honor and banquet was held for our very own Josh Ward from Troop 109 in Lisbon Falls. It is a big deal to become an Eagle Scout and many leaders in today’s business world earned the Eagle Rank when they were in Boy Scouts.

In Josh’s case he has been in scouting 10 to 11 years. He started out in Cub Scouts as a Tiger and in the fifth grade crossed over to Boy Scouts and was awarded the Arrow of Light – the highest scouting rank in Cub Scouts and the only Cub Scout award that can be worn on a Boy Scout Uniform. Once a Boy Scout, Josh progressed through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, and now has earned the right of the Eagle Rank. To get from the rank of Scout to Eagle is not just about camping and doing stuff outdoors. Josh has completed over 25 merit badges, 11 of them are Eagle required merit badges like Communications, Environmental Science, First Aid, Life Saving, Personal Fitness, Citizenship and Personal Management to name a few. Josh has also had to live by the Scout Oath and Law showing that he is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, & Friendly among other virtues. He has also volunteered time on Community Service Project, throughout his scouting years.

One of his biggest challenges was the Eagle Rank Service Project. Josh’s Eagle Project was to put in a seating area by the tennis courts behind the Lisbon High School. It was his responsibility to organize work days, get all of the necessary equipment lined up and supplies donated to accomplish the project. In his Eagle Project report he noted that he had spent over 50 hours on the project by himself and that in total over 210 man hours had gone into completing the project.

The Eagle Ceremony and Banquet was also something that Josh had to plan. He worked closely with a few adult leaders from Troop 109 and planned everything from the invite list to what was being served for food to what dignitary letters would be read (he received letters of congratulations from President Bush, Governor Baldacci and our two Senators among others) to the ceremony itself and who would pin his Eagle award on his shirt. In Josh’s ceremony he had his younger brother Darren pin his Eagle on him. Darren has just crossed over from the Cub Scout Pack to the Boy Scout Troop. There were over 100 people who attended the ceremony and banquet.

After the Banquet I sat with Josh and talked with him about his scouting years. He said it’s been a lot of hard work, but also very fun. I asked him what the best part of being in scout was and he said, “My favorite thing in Boy Scouts had to be all the campouts I have been on, especially Camp Hinds summer camping.” I asked what was next for him and he said he plans to continue with Troop 109 as a Junior Leader and teach other Scouts what he has learned.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is a big deal. Congratulations Josh on obtaining this goal and good luck in the future.