As Scouts BSA Troop 439 achieved another milestone this evening, parallels to a route that some may take to annual leadership summit on Mackinac Island are inevitable. [1,2]
Three years ago, Scouting magazine ran a feature observing that “An impressively high number of US senators are Eagle Scouts.” The number is ten, including our own Senator Gary Peters from Michigan. [3,4]
Among business leaders, their ranks include Charles Dolan, JW Marriott Jr, and the late Sam Walton. Scouting is recognized as an important part of the foundation that makes our state a world class competitor. [5-7]
Importantly, the national Boy Scouts of America removed need for footnote in citing numbers such as those above by providing a mechanism for the formation of all-female Scouts BSA units in February of this year. This classification is the only performance difference in standards that must be met by individual scouts for rank advancement. [8,9]
A little over four months since its own start, Troop 439 held its first “Court of Honor” — a ceremony held two to four times a year in order to recognize individual advancements and achievements, before the larger presence of family and special guests. Because of this schedule, it is not uncommon for scouts to receive physical insignia for more than one level of rank attained during the period passed since their last Court of Honor. [10,11]
In this case, eight made “Scout” tonight. Previously referred to as a “joining badge” received upon becoming a Troop member “and completing a few other requirements,” it became a formal level of met criteria on January 1, 2016. The following youth now wear Scout indicia. [12,13]
- Rachel Gowell
- Abigail Schafer
- Janelle Schafer
- Taylor Vehrenkamp
The next three levels focus on skill attainment and proficiency, typically taking a year to eighteen months to complete. These are, in order, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class — often referred to by insiders as “T-2-1.” Troop 439 now has one new Tenderfoot. [14]
- Leah Decaro
While Tenderfoot is largely focused on preparing the individual, Second Class begins to reinforce notions of increased time commitment in troop functions and capabilities that are needed to support “being prepared” beyond the person. Appriately, this patch, earned by another member of Troop 439 today, is marked by a simple banner carrying the words “Be Prepared.” [15]
- Mia Marshall
Rounding out this Court of Honor, two scouts have made it to First Class. In addition to expanding upon fundamentals of Tenderfoot and Second Class levels, this means development of proficiency in planning and leadership. Given that this is a startup unit, it’s not surprising that two young women have hit this mark: The troop very much needed them to shoulder the responsibility in the absense of established structure; they’ve also joined at an older age. [16,17]
Notwithstanding, Troop 439 now has two new First Class scouts.
- Elizabeth McClelland
- Gabby Mayrend
As we reported from Mackinac Island, service rotations have already started this season with the Governor’s Honor Guard — and Saline scouts have long been an established part of that. Although not contenders for 2019, don’t be surprised to see Saline Journal following up with youth from BSA Scouts Troop 439 there in coming years, however. [18]
Beyond that, in any number of roles as leading representatives of this community at the Mackinac Policy Conference itself. If so, their time in scouting will merit some credit for helping them get there.
References
- Tri-County Scouts BSA Troop 439 (Facebook Page).
- “An introduction to the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference (for those who’ve somehow missed the last thirty-eight)” Janet Deaton (May 28, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “An impressively high number of US senators are Eagle Scouts” Bryan Wendell (June 20, 2016) Scouting magazine.
- Gary Peters: United States Senator for Michigan (home page).
- “Charles Dolan” Inside Philanthropy.
- “Bill Marriott” Marriott International.
- “Sam Walton: Bargain Basement Billionaire” Entrepreneur.
- “Not a trick question: Look closely at this local Scouts BSA troop photograph; see if you can spot anything different about it” Dell Deaton (February 11, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Implementation Details for First-Time Members Entering Scouts BSA” Scouts BSA.
- “The big difference between Cub Scout advancement and Scouts BSA advancement” Bryan Wendell (January 21, 2019) Scouting magazine.
- “Advancement and Awards” Scouts BSA.
- “Scout, currently a joining badge, to become its own rank” Bryan Wendell (October 19, 2015) Scouting magazine.
- “Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks Alternative Requirements” Scouts BSA.
- “Tenderfoot: Rank Requirements” Scouts BSA.
- “Second Class: Rank Requirements” Scouts BSA.
- “First Class: Rank Requirements” Scouts BSA.
- “How old (or young) can a youth be to join Scouting?” Scouts BSA.
- “Saline Boy Scouts Are on Mackinac Island Today Serving in Governor’s Honor Troop” Dell Deaton (June 27, 2011) Saline Journal.
