Scouts BSA Troop 542 in Maple Glen, PA, awarded the rank of Eagle to four of its Scouts at two Court of Honor ceremonies held this summer at Supplee Presbyterian Church.
Scouts Kyle J. Higgins and Benjamin M. Rhodes were honored during a ceremony held on July 11, and Scouts Sum W. Harris and Liam E. Wright were recognized at a ceremony on August 15. Eagle is the highest rank awarded by Scouts BSA. Kyle Higgins joined Troop 542 from Cub Scout Pack 675 in Horsham, PA.
As a member of Troop 542, he held multiple leadership positions including troop historian, librarian, and patrol leader. For his Eagle project, Higgins led a group of Scouts and other volunteers in the construction and installation of three bat houses and two birdhouses at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Maple Glen, PA. The houses will provide a sanctuary for local bats and birds that provide pest control to the church. In addition, the structures will reduce the chance of the animals nesting in the church structures as well as provide educational opportunities to the church’s Sunday school classes.
Benjamin M. Rhodes joined Troop 542 from Cub Scout Pack 408 in Fort Washington, PA, and served Pack 408 as a den chief throughout his Scouting career. For his Eagle project, Rhodes led a team of 13 adults, Scouts, and students in the building of a pollination garden for Upper Dublin Township at the Camp Hill Athletic Complex. The 10×36-foot garden will promote a healthy ecosystem and make the park visually appealing as different colored native plants are present during all four seasons.
Sum Harris began his Scouting career with Troop 542 in 2013 and held the leadership roles of patrol leader, troop guide, senior patrol leader, and junior assistant scoutmaster. Harris also was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He attended Philmont Scout Ranch in 2016, where he served as the Wilderness Guia for his crew. He also attended the National Scout Jamboree in 2017. Harris’ Eagle project was the restoration of a wrought-iron fence at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church. These reparations will ensure the durability and beauty of the fence for many years.
Liam E. Wright began his Scouting career with Troop 542 in 2012 and held the leadership positions of instructor and quartermaster. He sailed in the Florida Keys at the Boy Scouts of America Florida National High Adventure Sea Base and attended the 2017 National Jamboree. Wright’s Eagle Scout project was the construction of three 8×10-foot pollination gardens at Upper Dublin Township’s Mondauk Common Park. The project totaled 131.5 hours and will encourage native plant growth in the park.
Scouts BSA Troop 542, based at Supplee Presbyterian Church in Maple Glen, PA, has more than 100 youth members. Since its start in 1969, 180 Scouts from Troop 542 have earned the rank of Eagle.
Categories: Troop Trips