Steiner becomes third-generation Eagle Scout and Troop 50’s 21st

Three generations of Eagle Scouts: Camp Steiner '19, his father Thomas Steiner '77, and his grandfather Edwin Beck '56

This spring, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Thomas “Camp” Steiner. He is the son of Thomas and Joscelin Steiner of Auburn. Camp is the troop’s 21st Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012. In addition, he is a third-generation Eagle Scout: his grandfather, Edwin Beck, earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1956, and his father, Thomas, earned in 1977.

Camp’s Eagle Scout ceremony, held at the Lee County Historical Society’s Pioneer Park in Loachapoka on Sunday, Feb 23, included fellow Scouts, leaders, family and friends. Senior Patrol Leader Trey oversaw the presentation of colors, followed by welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird. Readings by fellow Scouts (left to right) Liam, Jason, Michael and Joe reminded everyone of the symbolism behind the colors of the Eagle Scout badge, the significance of the Scout Oath and Law in our daily lives, as well as the foundation they have and will provide Camp.

Edwin Beck, Eagle Scout Class of 1956, administers the "Eagle Scout Promise" to his grandson, Camp.

Camp's mother, Joscie, presents Camp with his
Eagle Scout medal.

Scoutmaster Baird oversaw the official presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to Camp. This included administering the "Eagle Scout Charge," as well as the "Eagle Scout Promise," led by his grandfather, and joined in by other Eagle Scouts in attendance. Camp’s parents joined in the presentation of the insignia marking his achievement of the Eagle Scout rank, and Camp in turn presented both of his parents with Eagle Scout mother’s and father’s pins. On behalf of the troop, Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford presented Camp with membership in the National Eagle Scout Association — a tradition dating back to the troop's first Eagle Scout in 2013.

Scoutmaster Baird congratulates Camp on becoming the troop's 21st Eagle Scout.

After the formal awards presentation, Camp then shared words of thanks to those in attendance, as well as to those who had supported his Scouting efforts. Following tradition, Camp recognized several special leaders and adults with Eagle Scout mentor pins, which signify the special roles they played in his advancement efforts and in completing his Eagle Scout leadership service project. These included his grandfather, his uncle Jeremy Bolton, and his parents.

Father and son embrace after Camp presents his dad with an Eagle Scout mentor pin.

Camp joined Troop 50 in September 2017 after transferring from Troop 316 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. During his tenure in Troop 50, he has served in several leadership positions including quartermaster, patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and junior assistant scoutmaster before becoming an assistant scoutmaster. Through his Scouting participation, he earned 31 merit badges and was elected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society. In 2019, Camp was selected by his fellow Scouts as the recipient of the troop's James A. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award, which he received from Scoutmaster Baird at the troop's September 2019 court of honor (right)

Camp and fellow Troop 50 Eagle Scout Jacob Van Horn at the juncture of their respective Eagle Scout projects.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Camp planned and led volunteers to build a fence enclosing Pioneer Park’s McLain Garden — a collection of culinary and medicinal herbs, some of which were used as folk medicine in the South. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged more than 145 service hours planning and constructing the project. The new fence ties in with two arbors built by fellow Troop 50 Eagle Scout Jacob Van Horn in 2018.

Camp and family after he passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review on Sept. 17, 2019.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Camp appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Sept. 17, 2019. He is among the two Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2019.

Camp is a graduate of Auburn High School, where some of his activities included Film Club, Scholar's Bowl, leading STEM nights at local elementary schools with the Technology Students Association, Spanish Club, and Ultimate Frisbee.

Camp began his collegiate studies this fall as a Presidential Scholar at The University of Tulsa (Oklahoma), where he is majoring in computer science, with minors in mathematics and possibly Spanish.

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, more than 2.5 million Boy Scouts have completed the Eagle Scout’s performance-based rank requirements, which currently include serving in progressive leadership positions, demonstrating outdoor and Scouting skill competencies, earning at least 21 merit badges, and planning and executing a seminal Eagle Scout leadership service project. During 2019 alone, 61,535 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank —  beating the previous record of 58,659 set in 2012, the 100-year anniversary of the award first being presented.

For more photos from Camp’s Eagle Scout Ceremony, visit the troop's online photo album.