Boy Scouts devote many hours to obtain Eagle rank
Scouts have to fulfill at least 3,000 volunteer hours and complete a community service project to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Through all of the work Andrew Babay put into his project, where he put new water safety device kiosks at Moraine State Park, he learned a lot about the world, but he may have learned even more about himself.
“It taught me a lot of determination,” said Babay, who is with Troop 482 in Connoquenessing. “There were a lot of difficult situations, but I learned you just have to push through.”
The Moraine Trails Council district hosted an Eagle Scout recognition dinner Wednesday at Camp Bucoco, to honor the scouts who obtained the rank in 2020 and 2021.
Ray Tennent, scout executive for the Moraine Trails Council, said less than 5% of scouts reach Eagle Scout rank, but it is an achievement for anyone who does.
He said he is pleased so many scouts reached the rank over the past two years.
“It's always rewarding to know the efforts we put in are worth it for the kids,” Tennent said. “We're in business to produce good citizens and help scouts reach their full potential.”
Wednesday's dinner was set to honor the scouts, and had a program featuring speakers including scout leaders and Judge William Robinson. The Eagle Scouts would then be honored individually.
Henry Sinopoli, past president of the Moraine Trails Council, said the Eagle Scout projects are meant to involve leadership, cooperation and be a tribute to the community. Babay said he chose his project in part because he enjoys fishing at Moraine, and Carson Noble, an Eagle Scout with Troop 482, chose his because he noticed a safety issue on the Freeport Community Trail.
“We put railings closer together on an overpass 10 feet above the water,” he said. “It was the first thing I ever supervised.”
Tennent said the scouting program gives many opportunities for children to explore potential and possibilities. This includes introducing them to potential careers or lines of work.
“The more things we can expose them to, the better,” he said.
Every scout in the dining area raised their three fingers to recite the scout's oath, and many helped set up more dining furniture when needed.
Andrew Pallus obtained Eagle Scout rank in 2018, and performed some duties at the dinner. He said the lessons he learned from scouting will never be forgotten.
“Once an Eagle, always an Eagle,” Pallus said. “You get to become a mentor to kids, and want to see them go on. But I love it, I can't stop now.”
