Eagle Scout Samuel Hotz. (Photo by Danny Fulgencio)
Social responsibility, character and physical fitness — assets sharpened by young men ascending to rank of Eagle Scout, something achieved by about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts. Since 1912, about 2 million have attained it, and more than 500 did so right here in Lake Highlands. Eagle Scouts — who tackle big community service projects, know CPR and other life-saving skills, and, in general, are the most dedicated, driven, destined-for-great-things kids the Boy Scouts have to offer — make excellent neighbors.
The number of Eagle Scouts emerging from neighborhood-based Troop 890 is soaring; last spring it presented its 500th Eagle Scout award.
Chartered at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church in 1961, Troop 890, has been meeting each Monday night for 55 years.
Clarke Hammond and his brother Gary were among the earliest members of 890, and Hammond says his father, Grant, was one of the first scoutmasters.
“Some of the best times of our lives were the times we spent as scouts,” he notes in the “stories” section of Troop 890’s new website, 890eagles.org.
“It has been over 50 years since we first joined Troop 890 and it fills me with pride that the children and now grandchildren of my fellow scouts are or have been members of the troop and many of them became Eagles.”
He says the honor goes beyond childhood and adolescence.
“The leadership skills, teamwork and perseverance” gained in the Eagle Scout process “will give you a step up in this world.”
This troop’s success is self-perpetuating. The members of one generation become leaders of the next, and so on, giving back what has been given to them.
What Scoutmaster Kyle Friedel loves most, he says, is helping young scouts conquer fears, so they later might encourage others to do the same.
“Among my most memorable experiences will always be helping young scouts go over the edge of cliffs and rappel down the side,” Friedel notes. “One of my favorites was young Hunter Gordon, a usually fearless kid who upon approaching the edge, began to panic, then trying to get over the edge he began melting into tears and snot. Once he finally got a few feet down, he looked up and shouted to the others, ‘This is easy,’ then promptly ran back up to do it again, and again.”
All of the members participate in campouts and hiking adventures — including a yearly 50-mile spring break hike for the older boys — as well as volunteerism, such as an annual holiday service project with LHUMC.
Upon reaching the 500 Eagle milestone, the troop created the aforementioned website, 890eagles.org, where members of the community can view photos and videos from the last 55 years and read about projects the scouts are involved in which directly benefit the Lake Highlands community. Visitors to the site also can read memories and stories submitted by former and current scouts, and if you are a past 890 member, submit your own tales.
For more info, visit 890eagles.org.
