GREENFIELD — Five students were awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout badge Saturday, June 26 during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Troop 770 scouts Colby Ayers, Donovan Colson, Jonas Gordon, Luke Muckerheide and Christian Voigt received the honor.
The badge is the highest award that can be earned by members of the Scouts of America (formally Boy Scouts of America) organization. To earn the award, scouts must advance through the requirements of six advancement ranks, earn a total of at least 21 merit badges, 13 of which are specifically focused on citizenship and advanced outdoor skills.
In addition, Eagle Scout candidates must successfully plan, develop, direct, and coordinate the execution of a service project of their choosing that is helpful to their community or religious organization. These projects receive approval at the district scout organization level. All of these requirements must be completed prior to the candidate reaching his 18th birthday.
Ayers designed and constructed a large, covered knot-tying education center at the Flatrock YMCA camp, which allows people to practice and display rope knots.
Colson renovated the exterior of a damaged shelter at the Hancock County Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy (HYCA) camp, replacing several screen windows, a door and repairing siding.
Voigt designed, constructed and installed a foot bridge across Six Mile Creek at the HYCA camp to allow access to the primitive campgrounds that are under development.
Gordon designed and constructed a one-third mile walking trail around a pond at St. Michael’s church.
Muckerheide renovated a walking trail at Mary Moore Woods Park in Greenfield, designing and constructing a 100-foot boardwalk to allow all-weather use of the path.
The ceremony was a culmination of more than a year of honors, since ceremonies had been put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.
