Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Court of Honor Recognizes Exemplary Scouts and Scouting Program

During a Scout Court-of-Honor on Sunday, September 8, sixteen scouts in Troop 817 were awarded a total of 79 merit badges completed while they also learned about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. These determined and hardworking scouts and the merit badges they earned toward their Eagle award are:

Cache Bertschi
animal science, camping, metalwork, rowing, search and rescue and space exploration
Matthew Clarke
Camping and hiking
Dallen Forsyth
Art, astronomy, camping, canoeing, climbing, family life, personal management, rowing, wilderness survival
Noah Forsyth
Family life
McKay Goldhardt
Astronomy, canoeing, citizenship in the community, citizenship in the nation, citizenship in the world, fishing, geocaching, landscape architect, metalwork, personal fitness, robotics, rowing, space exploration, wood carving
Adam Gwilliam
Animal science, art, astronomy, camping, climbing, metalwork, rowing, welding
Luke Gwilliam
Camping
Stephen Larson
Archery, environmental science, kayaking, rifle shooting, wood carving
Gavyn Milner
Animal science, environmental science, metalwork, rifle shooting, wood carving
Bryce Nelson
Animal science, backpacking, camping, family life, fishing, hiking
Tanner Nelson
Art, astronomy, camping, environmental science, family life, metalwork, rowing
Shane Simkins
Animal science, family life, home repairs
Jacob Stokes
Camping
Jarrett Thomas
Animal science, astronomy, environmental science, family life, metalwork, rifle shooting, weather”
Luke Wilkes
Animal science, home repairs
Wyatt Woodland
Archery, environmental science, shotgun shooting

In addition to the awarding of merit badges, there were also 14 rank advancements:

·         Dallen Forsyth, McKay Goldhardt, Adam Gwilliam, Bryce Nelson and Luke Wilkes were advanced to the rank of Life
·         Stephen Larson, Jarrett Thomas and Tanner Nelson were advanced to the rank of Star
·         Gavyn Milner was advanced from Tenderfoot and 2nd Class to 1st Class.
·         Wyatt Woodland was advanced from Tenderfoot to 2nd Class.
·         Shane Simkins was advanced to 1st Class.
Scoutmaster Matthew Chappell called this year’s Scout Camp, “one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.  We have great leaders and great boys.  I asked all of them how many of you want to go all the way to an Eagle.  I’m willing to give them the opportunity to achieve it, but they know they will have to earn it.”  He also expressed his appreciation for the Bishop, Brs. Stephen, Larson, Gwilliam, Nelson, Foley and Warner and for all the merit badge counselors in the ward who have willingly accepted assignments to help the boys complete merit badges.
Venture Crew Chief James Bertschi shared his pride in the older boys who voted to camp with the younger scouts.  “They didn’t have to do it … and they sacrificed a lot of creature comforts through their decision but the end result was amazing as the older boys mentored and built strong bonds with the younger boys.  I was so proud of the way they behaved and the example they set.  They were proper when they needed to be proper and leaders when they needed to lead … and we all lived through it!”

Special recognition included the Award of the Buffalo in commemoration of the 100-year Anniversary of the partnership established in 1913 between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Boy Scouts of America.
·         Stetson Jones
·         Jacob Smith
·         Tanner Nelson
·         Warner Brown
·         Haus Jones
·         Jarrett Thomas
·         Mitchell Smith
·         Cache Bertschi
·         Gavyn Milner
·         Matthew Clarke
·         Wyatt Woodland
·         McKay Goldhardt
·         Stephen Larson
·         Christian Goldhardt

Each recipient must have completed the requirements for this unique award at a BSA camp, to have read the History of Scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – the first chartered organization in Scouting - and discussed with a leader five significant dates in the history of the Church and Scouting; talk with their leaders about how preparation at Scout Camp will prepare him to serve a full-time mission; and to select at least 3 special electives.

The “On My Honor” youth award, the BSA religious award for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is awarded at the discretion of the Bishop.  Recipients must have earned at least a Star Rank, be worthy, completed at least the Deacon Duty to God requirements or equivalent, and have demonstrated through their actions and deeds an understanding of priesthood duties.  Recipients were:

·         Matthew Clarke
·         Jacob Stokes
·         Mitchell Smith
·         Warner Brown
·         Cole Wilkes
·         Haus Jones
·         Christian Goldhardt
·         Stetson Jones

Adult leaders were also recognized with the “On My Honor” award.  Also under the discretion and direction of the Bishop, recipients must have at least three years of service in Scouting or Cub Scouting, be fully trained and continue to participate in training activities and involvement, be worthy, and have demonstrated the important of being an activity arm of the Aaronic Priesthood and making Priesthood a central focus with Scouting.  Recipients are:
             Roma Goldhardt                                                               Steve Gwilliam
             Claude Warner                                                                 Matthew Chappell
             Boyd Kanenwisher 

Varsity Scout Leader Boyd Kanenwisher noted, “through every scout’s effort, we became a team rather than a troop.  Varsity scouting is an unknown quantity … it is anticipated all the boys will have completed their merit badge requirements before they get to us so our focus is on completing the requirements to become an Eagle.  But the boys also plan and participate in a high adventure camp and in sports and activities.  Because they plan it, we either have some great activities … or nothing at all.”
The Bishop expressed his gratitude to Roy Stephen, who he called “an invaluable asset to scouting … a man who has a passion – not just an enthusiasm, but a real passion – for scouting.”  Since he has already received every award in scouting, the Bishop presented Brother Stephen with a copy of the commemorative book Scouting: A Century of Honor to show his – and every scouts – appreciation for his efforts in supporting the program.

And two more awards … Steve Gwilliam received the Silver Spatula award for his amazing Mountain Man breakfast (“oh, yum” said the boys), his homemade ice cream (“mmmmmmmm” was the unanimous response) and his Dutch oven peach cobbler (“yes, yes, yes,” the boys agreed).  In return Brother Gwilliam presented each scout with ashes from the last campfire of scout camp … a tradition which dates back to Baden Powell, who founded the scouting program.  Legend has it that Lord Baden Powell would always take a small amount of cool ashes from the campfire from the night before and spread them into the first campfire of the next camp gathering.  Its purpose, he said, was to keep the spirit of the first campfire alive forever … and to remind the boys a campfire is a special time of fellowship, spirituality and good fun!

And, Sister Pat Chappell was recognized as the Life to Eagle Scout Czar and for her more than 100 hours of service to scouting since being called as Advancement Chairman in July!!!

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