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Five Boy Scouts from High Point’s Troop 42 received their Eagle Scout awards March 22, the latest among 53 to earn the rank since the troop was chartered in 1993.

The Eagle is the highest achievement award for a Scout and must be completed before the Scout turns 18. It demonstrates proficiency in leadership, service and outdoor skills. Scouts must complete a project that benefits their community. Nationally, only about 5 percent of Scouts achieve Eagle.

Troop leaders expect all 11 members of the boys’ Indian Patrol to earn Eagle.

“We have a lot of fun, but we work hard, too,” said Kym Gould, advancements coordinator for Troop 42.

“These Scouts are very well-rounded and participate in track, swimming, band, taekwondo, lacrosse, cross country, golf, football, art, guitar and piano,” said Bob Paxton, a member of the board that approves the projects. “One has a black belt in karate.”

“I enjoyed doing things I wouldn’t have done anywhere else,” said Evan Gould, who obtained his Eagle rank in December.

When friends ask Kim Gould’s younger son, Cameron, what he did over the weekend, his answers are anything but boring.

“Cameron is able to say he went caving, deep-sea fishing, canoeing, etc.,” Kim Gould said. “Because of the scouting program, it’s amazing the things he has been able to do.”

Many schools are represented in this troop — Southwest, Ledford, High Point Christian Academy, Wesleyan Education Center, Bishop McGuinness, Northwest Guilford and home schools — said Sid Adams, a parent and former leader.

The troop meets at Covenant United Methodist Church on Skeet Club Road and has 45 members. At its highest membership, it had 70. Many of the boys started scouting as first-grade Tiger Scouts in Cub Scout Pack 24 at Covenant.

Nine Eagle Scouts recently told me about their service projects:
• Evan Gould designed and built an obstacle course for canines at the High Point Police Department. “The course will benefit the community by helping the dogs to be more readily prepared to perform their work,” he said.

• Martin Key collected and organized tools for the N.C. Baptist Men disaster trailer used by First Baptist Church of High Point when it goes to areas hit by a natural disaster.

• Mackenzie Adams designed and set up 64 trail-marking posts at the Piedmont Environmental Center.

• Matthew Ridenhour worked with Elizabeth Hedgecock at the Room at the Inn, a facility where pregnant mothers and their children can go for clothes and toys. He organized the clothes and toys, which were sorted and stored by size, season and gender.

• Luke Pecor built a brick welcome sign at Southwest Guilford High School. The sign at the athletic practice field made it easier to find the field.

• Daniel Mungo built 14 trail markers for the cross-country track at Southwest Guilford High School.

• Scott Cash made a wall of stacking stones around the scoreboard at Southwest and filled it with shrubs and plants.

• John Stevens built a classroom for the Girl Scouts at their outdoor learning center. “The classroom consisted of six benches, which they use for meetings and for resting when they have been on the trails,” he said.

• Sanchit Anand built three picnic tables for his temple in Greensboro. “The benches are near the play area so that parents can sit there while their children play,” he said.

Two Eagle candidates are still working on their projects:

• Kyle Rush is coordinating a July 18 golf tournament at Oak Hollow Golf Course. Money raised by the tournament will buy uniforms for Special Olympics. For information about the tournament, call 899-4427.

• Eric Spratt is building steps to the girl’s softball field at Ledford High.

The troop has six families with multiple Eagle Scouts — Adams, Chestnut, Wang, Pendry, Cantors and Adviento.

“I was a Scout and I wanted my son to experience it,” Martin Key said. “Many of the memories of my youth are from Scouting.”
The leaders and boys are raising funds to buy a second bus and build a Scout hut. The church provided the land.

Completing the Eagle rank requires leadership from the Scout and the support of parents, leaders, community and other Scouts. Many community businesses donate products and services. Ed Spivey of Beeson Hardware in High Point has made donations and allowed the Scouts to purchase materials at cost.

Fundraisers include car washes and spaghetti dinners.

A future car wash will help a new troop get started at West End Ministry in High Point.

Some funds will also help a scout go to Philmont Ranch in New Mexico this summer.

“Scouting encourages the growth of character,” Beth Stevens, John’s mother, said. “These are fine young men.”

Angie Cash, Scott’s mom, echoed Stevens: “All of us are extremely proud.”

Contact Kathy Johnson at mjohnson2@triad.rr.com.