Troop celebrates Thurow as its 26th Eagle Scout

This spring, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Hunter Thurow. He is the son of Brian and Jennifer Thurow of Auburn. Thurow is the troop’s 26th Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012. His Eagle Scout ceremony was held on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Auburn United Methodist Church.

Hunter (right) and Miles (left)
accept the "Eagle Scout Charge" and make the
"Eagle Scout Promise."

Hunter’s Eagle Scout ceremony, held at Auburn United Methodist Church was a joint ceremony also honoring Miles Ballard, the troop’s 25th Eagle Scout. The two have been longtime friends both in and outside Scouting. The ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 20 included fellow Scouts, leaders, family and friends. Senior Patrol Leader Connor oversaw the presentation of colors, followed by welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird. The ceremony included a reading of the “Trail to Eagle” by Miles’ grandfather, John Ballard, as well as the “Eagle Scout Challenge” by fellow Scouts that 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 Hunter.

Scoutmaster Baird oversaw the official presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to Hunter. This included administering the “Eagle Scout Charge” and the “Eagle Scout Promise.” Hunter’s parents joined in the presentation of the insignia marking his achievement of the Eagle Scout rank, and Hunter 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 Hunter with membership in the National Eagle Scout Association — a tradition dating back to the troop’s first Eagle Scout in 2013.

Hunter with some of his Eagle Scout mentors (left to right): project coach and
Assistant Scoutmaster J.P. Pendleton, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, and
Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford

Following tradition, Hunter 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 mentors included former Assistant Scoutmaster and Cub Scout Pack 29 leader Clyde Wikle; assistant scoutmasters Michael Tullier and Wes Williams; Eagle Scout leadership service project coach J.P. Pendleton; Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford; Scoutmaster Andrew Baird; and his parents Brian and Jen Thurow.

Hunter surrounded by his family following the Eagle Scout ceremony.

Hunter's grandfather, C.T. Thurow, concluded the Eagles Scout ceremony with a closing prayer.

Hunter's "Trail to Eagle"

Hunter joined Troop 50 in April 2015 after earning the Webelos Rank and Arrow of Light in Cub Scout Pack 29, charted by Auburn United Methodist Church. During his tenure in Troop 50, he has served in several leadership positions including instructor, patrol leader, lead troop guide, and assistant senior patrol leader. He earned 26 merit badges, which also later qualified him for a Bronze Palm. During his tenure in Troop 50, he accrued 61 nights of camping, 78 service hours (outside his own Eagle Scout leadership service project), 82 hiking miles and eight paddling miles. In August 2021, he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Hunter planned and led volunteers to enhance and refurbish the nature trail at Yarbrough Elementary School, where he was a student. In addition to improving the trail bed itself, the project encompassed restoring and replacing species-identification markers for trees on the trail. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged around 90 service hours planning and carrying out the project.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Hunter appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Sept. 12, 2021. He is among four Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2021.

Hunter graduated in May from Auburn High School. He begins his studies at Auburn University during the Fall 2022 semester.

About the Eagle Scout Rank

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.

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

Pioneering, blacksmithing and serving

For its February monthly campout, Troop 50 headed north just outside Auburn to Loachapoka — home to Pioneer Park. The Feb. 19-21 campout allowed Scouts to journey back to the area’s late 1880s and early 1900s pioneering traditions preserved on the property by the Lee County Historical Society.

Cooling temperatures greeted Scouts and leaders Friday evening. As they set up camp, pitched their tents and prepared dinner, those temperatures dropped into the 30s — prompting everyone to seek the coziness of their tents and the warmth of their sleeping bags earlier than everyone’s usual bedtime.

Frequent trains on the tracks just across the highway from Pioneer Park broke the campsite’s tranquility throughout the night. Those CSX trains trace back to the Western Railroad of Alabama of the 1850s and 1860s. Saturday’s sunrise led to gradual increasing temperatures — they had dropped to the upper 20s overnight — as the sounds of trains gave way to clucking from Pioneer Park’s chicken coup. Everyone enjoyed their breakfast snuggled in coats and huddled around morning campfires.

Dr. Mitchell explains how the fireplace was a central element to pioneer life.
It was where families gathered, socialized, found warmth and cooked.

Following breakfast cleanup, the troop broke up into two groups to become better acquainted with Pioneer Park. One group followed Dr. Charles Mitchell for a tour of the property. Dr. Mitchell, a retired Auburn University agronomist and professor, currently leads the Lee County Historical Society as the organization’s president after decades of longtime service to the organization. He recounted the history behind many of the buildings, gardens and programs that comprise Pioneer Park and the organization’s past.

The other group made its way to Pioneer Park’s Blacksmith Shop. There, Auburn University professor and experienced blacksmith Dr. Jim Witte shared with Scouts about the art of blacksmithing. He detailed features of a typical blacksmith shop, such as the forge, anvils, tools and the like, as shown in the video above (listen for the train ... here it comes again!). He demonstrated some techniques and discussed the safety issues they present. He also outlined how blacksmithing played a role in the area trade and relations with local Native Americans. The demonstration also introduced Scouts to the opportunity to pursue Metalwork Merit Badge.

Blake (center, left) and Cooper (center, right) show off their new Scout ranks after
receiving them from Senior Patrol Leader Will (far left) and Scoutmaster Baird (far right).

During lunch, the troop celebrated the accomplishments of two Scouts toward their advancement. Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and Senior Patrol Leader Will presented Blake and Cooper with their Scout ranks.

James (center) prepares the raised bed soil before planting potatoes.

Jason, Will and Olen pile up the remains
of Pioneer Park's recent sugar cane harvest.

After lunch, Scouts got more familiar with some of Pioneer Park’s agricultural efforts through service projects in the McLain Garden and Crops Garden. One group learned about planting potatoes in raised beds in the McLain Garden’s Heirloom Kitchen Garden, while another group cleaned concrete benches where visitors to the garden can sit and enjoy nature. A third group had the more arduous task of clearing out the remains of Pioneer Park’s recent sugar cane harvest in its Crops Garden.

Pioneer Park has been the site of several Troop 50 Eagle Scout leadership service projects. Those include projects to build a fence enclosing the McLain Garden by Camp Steiner (Class of 2019), construct new arbors for the McLain Garden by Jacob Van Horn (Class of 2018), and to develop a new artifact cataloging system and displays for items in the McLain Building by Aiden Lytle (Class of 2017).

Throughout the afternoon, many Scouts wandered over to the Pioneer Park chicken coop to see what all the clucking and commotion was about. The chickens seemed to get more agitated by the parade of their eggs leaving the coop. Several Scouts were under the impression that storing the eggs amid the warmth of their pockets and sleeping bags — and for one Scout, his emergency space blanket — would produce a baby chick. Well, at least it produced the idea of a new troop meeting topic on animal husbandry.

The sun setting through the dogtrot of the Barnard-Newell Log House, situated
just above the troop's campsite.

During the afternoon, Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Tullier demonstrated — in a format that fell somewhere between the television programs “Chopped” and “Worst Cooks in America” — how to make Dutch oven apple crisp dessert for their patrols. Each patrol received all the ingredients to replicate the dish — which they later reported turned out better than some of the actual dinner meals they prepared! Again, with overnight temperatures promising to drop to into the 30s this time, Scouts were quick to prepare their meals, enjoy dinner, and clean their dishes so they could huddle around their campfires or seek the warmth of their sleeping bags for the cold evening ahead.

Frost patterns formed on the outsides of most
tents during the overnight hours Friday
and Saturday evening.

Saturday night: more trains, more cold, more chickens — you get the picture.

After Sunday morning’s breakfast was over and everyone’s gear was packed away, the troop gathered to reflect on all that Scouts accomplished over the weekend. In his role as troop chaplain, Mr. Tullier led the troop in its traditional “Duty to God” devotional service. Together, they reflected on the concept of “daily bread” that is part of the “Lord’s Prayer,” and what that concept looks like in our daily lives.

During the troop’s Patrol Leaders’ Council meeting the following Monday, youth leaders positively rated the Pioneer Park campout — giving high marks to patrol menu planning, Pioneer Park activities and its service project opportunities. They did note that more could be done to emphasize teamwork within the patrols and the troop, as well as specific functions like being better organized in setting up tents and dining flies upon everyone’s arrival. Those needs would be part of upcoming troop meeting programs.

The troop continues to camp locally, wearing facial coverings and maintaining physical distancing as part of observing pandemic-era public safety protocols.

For more photos of the Pioneer Park campout, visit the troop’s online photo album.

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.

Vollenweider honored as Troop 50’s 20th Eagle Scout

On Sunday, Nov. 24, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Joseph Vollenweider. He is the son of Glen and Margaret Vollenweider of Auburn. Joe is the troop’s 20th Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012.

Ethan, Trey and Creighton (left to right) outline the significance of the
colors of the Eagle Scout rank.

Joe's Eagle Scout ceremony, held at Auburn United Methodist Church, included fellow Scouts, leaders, family and friends. Senior Patrol Leader Everett oversaw the presentation of colors, followed by welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier. Readings by fellow Scouts, friend Randy Cottier and Assistant Scoutmaster Wes Williams reminded everyone of the significance citizenship and the rank of Eagle Scout has and will play in Joe's life. The program also included "You Raise Me Up," sung by Rev. Chris Kelsey, Auburn United Methodist Church's director of worship and media.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the "Eagle Scout Promise" to
Joe while other Eagle Scouts in attendance join him in
reaffirming their commitment to Scouting principles.

Scoutmaster Baird and Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford oversaw the official presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to Joe. This included the "Eagle Scout Charge," as well as the "Eagle Scout Promise," which other Eagle Scouts in attendance joined Joe in reciting. Joe's parents joined in the presentation of the Eagle Scout rank, and Joe in turn presented both of his parents with Eagle Scout mother and father pins. On behalf of the troop, Mr. Tullier presented Joe with membership in the National Eagle Scout Association — a tradition dating back to the troop's first Eagle Scout in 2013.

Joe's mother, Margaret, pins him with the Eagle Scout medal while his father, Glen, looks on.

Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford, who also serves as Joe's
Auburn United Methodist Church D-Group leader, congratulates
Joe as being pinned with a mentor pin.

After the formal awards presentation, Joe then shared words of thanks to those in attendance, as well as to those who had supported his Scouting efforts since his time as a Cub Scout. Following tradition, Joe 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 a posthumous presentation to John Cottier, his Cub Scout den leader, which his wife, Randy, received on his behalf. Other honorees included assistant scoutmasters Wes Williams and Christian Dagg, Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, and Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford. The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Auburn United Methodist Church's senior pastor, Rev. Cory Smith.

Joe (front row, far right) in April 2014 after earning his Arrow of Light
and crossing over from Pack 29 to Troop 50.

Joe joined joined Troop 50 in April 2014 after earning the Webelos rank and the Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout in Pack 29. During his tenure in Troop 50, he has served in several leadership positions leading up to patrol leader, lead troop guide, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and his current position as junior assistant scoutmaster. Through his Scouting participation, he earned 26 merit badges and was elected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Joe planned and led volunteers to build a larger debriefing space at the Auburn University Challenge Course. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged more than 72 service hours planning and constructing the project. The new debriefing area features six foldable benches that alternate between being serving as benches for the debriefing area and as picnic tables for groups participating in the challenge course.

Joe with his parents following his successful completion of his
Eagle Scout Board of Review.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Joe 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.

Joe is an 11th grader at Auburn High School, where he is active in the Engineering Club and Technical Student Association. He and he parents worship at Auburn United Methodist Church, where he is an active leader of the church’s Youth Group and member of the Youth Choir.

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, nearly 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 2018 alone, 52,160 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank.

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

Troop 50 updates Auburn Rotarians on activities, achievements

On Wednesday, July 31, Troop 50 scouts and leaders were present at the weekly meeting of the Auburn Rotary Club to provide the troop’s charter organization with an update on troop activities during the past year. Rotarian and the troop’s charter organization representative, Michael Tullier, hosted the group.

Leading the presentation was Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, who reported to Rotarians that, in 2018, the troop qualified as a “Gold Unit” under the Boy Scouts of America’s “Journey to Excellence” program. This was in part to its individual Scout advancement efforts, which included 35 awarded ranks (of which three were the rank of Eagle Scout) and 99 earned merit badges. Journey to Excellence also evaluates a unit’s year-round activities, which for Troop 50 Scouts and leaders included 408 collective nights of camping, 154 collective miles of hiking, and 971 collective hours of service.

Following Mr. Baird’s overview, several Scouts shared with Rotarians about their troop involvement. Senior Patrol Leader Camp spoke about his progress toward earning the Eagle Scout rank — specifically his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project to fence the McLain Garden at the Lee County Historical Society’s Pioneer Park in Loachapoka.

Camp’s younger brother James talked about his experiences as one of the troop’s newest Scouts. He noted how regular monthly campouts helping him develop new Scout skills and advance in rank. Finally, Camp and James’ middle sibling, Will, summarized the troop’s summer camp experience this past June at Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton, Georgia. There, he and other Scouts were able to make significant progress toward earning merit badges as they deepen friendships.

Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford wrapped up the presentation by thanking the Rotary Club for its ongoing financial support, as well as inviting Rotarians to serve as merit badge counselors. Mr. Stanford noted that anyone with hobby-level knowledge to professional expertise on a specific topic could share their subject-matter expertise as a merit badge counselor for a single Scout or group of Scouts.

For more information about Troop 50, visit www.boyscout50.org or read more about the troop's activities here on its blog.

Van Horn honored as troop's 19th Eagle Scout

On Saturday, Jan. 12, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Jacob Van Horn. He is the son of Eric and Rebecca Van Horn, currently residents of Opelika. Jacob is the troop’s 19th Eagle Scout since its founding in 2012.

Jacob’s ceremony, held at Auburn United Methodist Church, included family and friends in addition to his fellow Scouts and leaders. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Hunter welcomed everyone present and led the opening flag ceremony. Assistant Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Liam, Lead Troop Guide Joe, and Troop Quartermaster Everett participated in a candle-lighting narrative that reminded everyone in attendance of the meaning behind the colors of the American flag — followed by an opening prayer from family friend Paxton Brittle, and welcomes from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird and Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier.

Liam, Joe and Everett (left to right) light candles signifying the principles behind the colors of the American flag, which are also found in Eagle Scout badge.

An honor guard of Troop 50 Scouts led Jacob to the stage, where Troop Committee Chair Rob Stanford led him in the reaffirmation of the principles of the Scout Oath. He then reminded Jacob of the obligations of being an Eagle Scout — namely, living with honor, loyalty, courage, service and vision.

Rebecca Van Horn pins Jacob with his Eagle Scout medal.

Scoutmaster Baird administers the Eagle Scout Charge to Jacob

Following this, Scoutmaster Baird administered the “Eagle Scout Charge,” officially marking Jacob as an Eagle Scout. Jacob’s mother, Rebecca, pinned his Eagle Scout medal on his uniform, and his father, Eric, presented him with an Eagle Scout neckerchief. In turn, Jacob presented his parents with lapel pins noting their new status as Eagle Scout parents. Along with receiving a framed Eagle Scout certificate from Mr. Baird, Jacob received from Mr. Tullier a certificate of membership in the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) — a gift from the troop.

Jacob closed the ceremony with some personal word of thanks, and special presentation of Eagle Scout mentor pins to those who played a special role in his progress toward earning Scouting’s highest rank. Those receiving mentor pins included Mr. Baird, Mr. Stanford, Andrea Holliday, Dan Strickland, Paxton Brittle, Kal Busman and Wes Fanning.

Jacob is presented the James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award at the troop's
June 2018 court of honor.

Originally a member of Troop 158 in Tulahoma, Tennessee, Jacob joined Troop 50 in September 2016 after his family relocated to the Lee County area. During his tenure in Troop 50, he served as patrol leader, lead troop guide, senior patrol leader, junior assistant scoutmaster, and currently serves as an assistant scoutmaster. Through his Scouting participation, he earned 22 merit badges and was named one of co-recipients of the troop's 2018 James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award . He was also elected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society, and now serves as the Chattahoochee Lodge’s camping promotions chairman.

Fellow Troop 50 Scouts assist Jacob with the final
touches on his Eagle Scout project at the troop's
annual planning retreat at Pioneer Park on April 20.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Jacob planned and led volunteers to reconstruct two new arbors in the garden area of Loachapoka’s Pioneer Park. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged more than 259 service hours planning and constructing the project. The new arbors, as well as new curb Jacob and volunteers replaced adjacent to the arbors enhance the experience and safety for visitors to the park’s garden.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Jacob appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Oct. 16, 2018. He is among the three Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2018.

Outside Scouting, Jacob volunteers by building sets and costumes for Auburn Area Community Theater productions. He plans to attend Auburn University this fall, where he will major in electrical engineering.

Jacob and his extended family at the conclusion of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, nearly 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 2017 alone, 55,494 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank.

For more photos from Jacob’s Eagle Scout ceremony, visit the troop’s online photo album.

Zuk honored as Troop 50’s 15th Eagle Scout

On Sunday, Aug. 12, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout Nicholas Emil “Nick” van Zuk. He is the son of Rose-Marie Zuk and the late Dr. Gary Zuk of Auburn. At the time of his Eagle Scout Board of Review, Nick was the troop’s youngest Eagle Scout and its 15th since its founding in 2012.

Nick’s ceremony, held at Monarch Estates senior living and retirement community — the site of his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project — included many of his fellow Scouts and adult leaders who have been in Scouting with him since his days as a Cub Scout, and who have served with him in a variety of troop leadership positions. It also included his pastor, Rev. Msgr. William Skoneki of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, who offered the invocation.

After accepting the “Eagle Scout Charge” from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Nick’s mother, Rose, the Eagle Scout medal on Nick and presented him with an Eagle Scout neckerchief slide. He in turn presented his mother with an Eagle Scout mother’s pin. Mr. Baird presented Nick with a framed Eagle Scout medal, noting that Nick was the first Eagle Scout in the troop to have enough merit badges at the time of his Eagle Scout Board of Review to receive all three Eagle Scout palms. Concluding the troop’s recognition was Chartered Organization Representative Michael Tullier, who acknowledged the troop’s gift of membership in the National Eagle Scout Association.

Also on hand for the ceremony was Ron Anders, Ward 2 councilman and mayor pro tem for the City of Auburn. On behalf of the city and Mayor Bill Ham, Mr. Anders congratulated Nick on his achievement and his example of leadership. In recognition of those achievements, Mr. Anders presented Nick with a proclamation declaring Aug. 12, 2018, as “Nicholas Emil van Zuk Eagle Scout Day.”

Nick honors the contributions of Mark Hankess, one of five individuals he presented with Eagle Scout mentor pins.

During Nick’s closing remarks, he acknowledged his fellow Scouts and the adult leaders who had supported his efforts to earn the Eagle Scout rank. As is customary, he singled out individuals who played a special role, presenting each with an Eagle Scout mentor pin. Among those were:

• Andrew Baird, his scoutmaster
• Rob Stanford, the troop’s committee chair who also served as his Eagle Scout project coach
• Jeff Sibley, a family friend who assisted Nick with his Eagle Scout project
• Mary Rainey, a long-time family friend and supporter of Nick’s Scouting efforts, who also has taught several of Nick’s homeschool classes
• Mark Hankess, a family friend who has been present through Nick’s life and has taught him life skills ranging from “how to fish, drive a boat and use a hammer.”

After earning Cub Scouting’s Arrow of Light as a Webelos Scout in Auburn's Pack 29, Nick joined Troop 11 before later transferring to Troop 50 in 2015. Since then, he has served as patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, lead instructor, and currently junior assistant scoutmaster. Through his Scouting participation, he had earned 39 merit badges by the time of his ceremony, qualifying him for a bronze, gold, and silver Eagle Palm. He also has accrued more than 75 nights of camping, 100 hours of community service, 100 hiking and backpacking miles, and 20 paddling miles.

Nick receiving the 2017 James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout
Award from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird at the
troop's August 2017 Court of Honor

Nick received the troop’s 2017 James J. Baird Jr. Honor Scout Award; was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society; served as a youth counselor at Camp Half Moon at Camp Frank G. Lumpkin; and earned the BSA Mile Swim Award. He completed National Youth Leadership Training, an intensive, six-day leadership development program, which provides Scouts with leadership skills and experience applicable to both Scouting and other situations demanding leadership.

Nick and fellow members of the June 2017
620-B Philmont Expedition.

In addition to various troop-related outings and campouts, in June 2017, Nick participated in a 12-day backpacking expedition at Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts’ largest national high-adventure base located in Cimarron, New Mexico. He also has participated in a seven-day sailing expedition at the Boy Scouts’ Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Nick designed and raised funds for a Veterans Memorial Garden at Monarch Estates retirement community in Auburn. Family, friends, and fellow Scouts and leaders logged more than 520 service hours planning and constructing the project. The garden provides residents with an accessible concrete pathway; four benches that convert to tables, which allow residents and visitors more places to socialize; two self-watering raised planters; a butterfly garden; and a fountain.

Nick's completed Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project at Monarch Estates.

After completing the Eagle Scout rank requirements, which included planning and executing his service project, Nick appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on Sept. 19, 2017. He is among the four Troop 50 Scouts to earn the Eagle Scout rank during 2017.

Currently, Nick is a ninth grader at Auburn Junior High School and is a member of the Auburn High School swim team. He and his family attend St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn, where he is an altar server.

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, nearly 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 2017 alone, 55,494 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank.

For more photos of Nick's ceremony and service project, visit the troop's online photo album.

Schallock honored as Troop 50’s 17th Eagle Scout

On Saturday, May 12, Troop 50 bestowed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank during a ceremony honoring new Eagle Scout William “Liam” Henry Schallock III. Liam appeared before the Saugahatchee District’s Eagle Scout Board on February 20, 2018, making him the troop’s 17th EagleScout, and one of two Scouts to receive the Eagle Scout rank so far in 2018.

Liam’s ceremony, held at Chewacla State Park’s Lower Pavilion — the site of his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project — included many of his fellow Scouts who have been in Scouting with him since his days as a Cub Scout, and who have served with him in a variety of troop leadership positions. The ceremony also included his grandfather, Sonny Cantrell, who offered the welcome, and his godmother, Brandy McMichael, who led the ceremony’s opening and closing prayers.

Liam's mother Sasha pins him with the
Eagle Scout medal.

After accepting the “Eagle Scout Charge” from Scoutmaster Andrew Baird, Liam’s mother, Sasha, pinned Liam with his Eagle Scout medal, and his father, Bill, presented him with his Eagle Scout neckerchief slide. In turn, Liam presented his parents with Eagle Scout mother and father pins to recognize their contributions to his success on the "trail to Eagle." Liam also received membership in the National Eagle Scout Association as a gift from the troop.

Liam’s ceremony included additional special recognitions and congratulations from members of the community. Among these were honorary membership in the Alabama Association of School Resource Officers (the focus of his father’s service as a member of the City of Auburn Police Department); a resolution from the Alabama House of Representatives, presented by Alabama House District 79 State Representative Joe Lovvorn; and commendation letters from Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Christopher Blankenship (who is the agency head of the Alabama State Parks), Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman William Clay Ford, and Advanced Micro Devices President and CEO Dr. Lisa Su.

Scoutmaster Andrew Baird presents Liam with his framed Eagle Scout certificate.

Liam after crossing over from Cub Scouts
to Troop 50 in April 2014.

During Liam’s closing remarks — which his parents would later refer to as “interesting” and “longer than his mother expected” — he expressed appreciation to those who had played roles in his development, education and advancement in Scouts. He honored several special individuals by presenting them with Eagle Scout mentor pins. Those included Scoutmaster Andrew Baird; Assistant Scoutmasters Wes Williams, Jason Smith and JP Pendleton; and his grandmother Jenny Cantrell.

Liam joined the troop in 2014 after earning Cub Scouting’s Arrow of Light as a member of Pack 811. As a member of the troop, he has served in leadership positions that have included troop guide, lead instructor, assistant patrol leader, assistant quartermaster, and his current role as junior assistant scoutmaster.

Through his Scouting participation, he has earned 31 merit badges to date, qualifying him for a gold Eagle palm at the time of his ceremony. He also has accrued 55 nights of camping, 83 hours of community service, and 39 hiking and backpacking miles. In addition to various troop-related outings and campouts, he attended the National Boy Scouts of America Jamboree in July 2017, held at The Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.

Liam reviews progress on his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project with his father Bill.

For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Liam provided electrical service connections for a pavilion at Chewacla State Park in Auburn. The project entailed burying more than 400 feet of electrical cable to connect the pavilion to the power supply. Liam supervised a group of more than 15 Scouts and adults who contributed more than 200 volunteer hours.

Liam with (left to right) father Bill, sister Emily and mother Sasha

Liam is the son of William and Sasha Schallock of Auburn, and the brother of Emily Love Schallock. Currently, he is a rising 10th grader at Auburn High School, where he is a member of the Junior Honor Society. He also holds a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and plays defense for the Auburn Youth Lacrosse Club Junior Varsity team.

Since the first Eagle Scout was awarded in 1912, nearly 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 2017 alone, 55,494 Boy Scouts earned Scouting’s highest rank.

For more photos of Liam's ceremony and service project, visit the troop's online photo album.