Local teen earns Eagle Scout Badge
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America convened a Court of Honor and presented the Eagle Scout Badge to Kyle Reichenbecher on Aug. 14.

Reichenbecher, 17, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 35 at St. Francis Xavier School in Fort Myers.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks- Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests.

Additionally, to earn the Eagle Scout Rank and Badge an Eagle Scout service project must be completed. Through the service project, the Eagle candidate must demonstrate leadership of others and provide service to a worthy institution other than the Boy Scouts. The Eagle Project requires advance planning, approvals, documentation and a good amount of time to complete.

Reichenbecher, who has earned 37 merit badges selected Encore Senior Village an Alzheimer's facility at Health Park for his Eagle Project. This project included the establishment of a butterfly garden, painting planters, flagpoles and benches and

the re-mulching of the interior garden

portion of the facility. As a finishing

touch, a bench was added

to the garden with a small

plaque.

When asked about the finished project,

Encore's Director of Life Enrichment, Robin

Baum replied "Awesome!"

Reichenbecher

has a Great Aunt in a

similar facility in New Jersey

who never leaves her room. He had her in mind when he planned his project.

The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as he enters higher education and the business world. The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well maintained over the years. Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. This represents more than 1.7 million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1912. Nevertheless, the goals of Scouting- citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness- remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank. ¦