June 2, 2018
By: Bill Conger
Smithville Boy Scout Troop 347 celebrated a milestone last night (June 1). Jaden Wildes officially graduated from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts in a formal crossing over ceremony at Green Brook Park. Troop members marched in a procession to one of the park’s bridges, and Assistant Scout Master Jen Sherwood welcomed Wildes to his next level of scouting.
Later, in a Court of Honor ceremony Sherwood presented Wildes with his Scout award, the introductory rank earned prior to Tenderfoot. Gavin Conger moved up to Second Class, and Zachary Cantrell received the Life ranking, one step away from Eagle, scouting’s highest achievement. Scouts earning merit badges were Cantrell—Wilderness Survival, Emergency Preparedness, Camping, Cooking, Music, and Geocaching; Conger-Aviation; Friedrich Dodge-Personal Fitness and Family Life; Brandon Sobotka-Water and Soil Conservation; Cody Robinson—Hiking and Fishing, and Will Stephens—Hiking. Robinson and Stephens wrapped up their requirements for the Hiking merit badge recently when they completed a 20-mile hike at Fall Creek Falls.
Also, at Friday night’s event, scouts elected Kaleb Wildes as the Senior Patrol Leader and Zach Cantrell, Assistant Patrol Leader.
Meanwhile, the Boy Scouts helped honor our veterans on Memorial Day weekend, placing flags on the graves of soldiers at DeKalb Memorial Gardens and Whorton Springs Cemetery. Then, on Monday they presented the colors during the Memorial Day celebration at the county complex.