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 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Haverhill, MA) On Friday, February 4, 2005, Yankee Clipper Council will
honor 168 new local Eagle Scouts at the Eagle Recognition Banquet to be
held at the Wyndham Hotel and Resort in Andover, Massachusetts, marking
the 95th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
Eagle Scout Tim Brox of California will be the guest speaker. Brox was
selected to be Scouting's representative to the National Science
Foundation research expedition to Antarctica in 2001-2002.
Every two years the U.S. Office of Polar Programs at the National
Science Foundation asks the Boy Scouts of America to select one Eagle
Scout to travel to Antarctica and work as a research aid. There are two
basic requirements: being between the ages of 17 and 21 and being an
Eagle Scout.
In the spring of 2000, Brox read an article written by Scout Ben Hasse.
Ben had traveled to Antarctica as part of this program in the summer
season of 1998-1999. After reading his story, Brox caught the Antarctic
bug and knew he had to apply for this unusual opportunity. On October
18, 2001, he left sunny California for the ice of the Antarctic
continent. During his Antarctic experience, he observed and helped
scientists at the three U.S. bases (McMurdo Station, the South Pole
Station, and Palmer Station) and in various field camps.
In addition to Tim Brox's presentation, the banquet celebrations will
include a tribute to the parents of the Eagle Scouts, to their
Scoutmasters, to the Eagles themselves, and to the Eagle sponsors.
Requirements for the Rank of Eagle Scout
As part of the requirements for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout --
Scouting's most prestigious rank each of the 168 young men who will be
honored earned at least 21 merit badges and planned, developed and gave
leadership to an Eagle Scout service project representing approximately
100 volunteer hours. In many instances, the Eagle project represents
several hundred service hours. Less than 4% of all registered Scouts
achieve this distinguished rank. Each of the young men being honored
earned the rank of Eagle in the year 2004.
Eagle Sponsors
The Eagle sponsors are individuals who have attained success and
expertise in the career field or area of interest designated by the
individual Eagle Scout. The Sponsors invite their corresponding Eagles
to visit their places of work and provide insights and perspectives on
the field or industry. The Sponsors, although not necessarily Eagles
themselves, then host the Eagles at the banquet. Among this year's
sponsors are corporation presidents, executives, bankers, lawyers,
doctors, engineers, elected officials, artists and artisans, tradesmen,
civil servants, and military officers.
Gift Membership in the Yankee Clipper Council Eagle Scout Association
Each new Eagle Scout will also receive a one-year membership in Yankee
Clipper Council's Eagle Scout Association. The Association is an
organization of over 280 men living or working in the council area who
carry on in their adult lives the values, lessons and spirit of
Scouting's highest award. The Association recognizes Eagle Scouts'
contributions to Scouting, their communities and the nation by providing
a forum for fellowship, mentoring and networking, and an opportunity to
continue to enjoy the lifelong benefits of the Scouting program with the
motto "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle."
History of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouting was founded in Great Britain in 1907 by Lord Robert S.
Baden-Powell. Two years later, the Boy Scouts of America was founded on
February 8, 1910 by William D. Boyce and a group of his fellow
businessmen. The history of its founding begins on the foggy streets of
London, England, when Mr. Boyce lost his way. A boy offered to be of
assistance, led him to his destination and, when offered money for his
help, declined, saying, "No, thank you, sir. I am a Scout. I won't take
anything for helping." Impressed by the boy's kindness and "good turn,"
Mr. Boyce met with Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy
Scouts in Great Britain, and then brought Scouting to the United States.
Today, membership in the Boy Scouts of America exceeds
4.5 million youth and adult members. More than 110 million young people
have been involved in Scouting since the Boy Scouts of America first
began in 1910.
Randy Larson
Scout Executive
Yankee Clipper Council
978-372-0591
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