Brothers honored for earning their Eagle Scout rank

Scout Troop 2 of Elgin will recognize Ben Linder for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony Sunday, May 3, at St. John's Lutheran Church. Troop 2 is chartered by St. John's Lutheran Church.

Ben and his older brother Patrick will both be honored at this ceremony. Patrick Linder achieved his Eagle Rank in 2006 and waited for his brother so they could be honored together.

In order to achieve Eagle Scout rank, each young man must complete at least 21 merit badges and have planned, developed and give leadership to others in a service project that benefits his church, community or school. Only 4 percent of Scouts attain Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America.

As a Scout, Ben Linder earned 29 merit badges, including Entrepreneurial Badge and the Bird Study Badge, both special to Ben because they required a lot of work and commitment.

Ben has been able to attend many different campouts, including summer camp at L.E. Philips in Wisconsin. He has participated in High Adventure trips to Philmont in New Mexico and Boundary Waters at Quetico in Canada and the Apostle Islands Sea Kayaking in Lake Superior in Wisconsin. He plans to return to Quetico this summer on his fourth High Adventure trip.

Ben chose as his Eagle project the restoration of paths, trails and bridges at Trout Park in Elgin. He organized approximately 38 Scouts and adults to waterproof the bridges, mulch the trails and straighten the fencing along the trails.

Outside of Scouting Ben has been active with the Christian Youth Theater and has been in five productions. Along with his church, Christ Community in Elgin, Ben has volunteered on mission trips to Costa Rica, the Czech Republic and twice traveled the Amazon River visiting different villages.

Ben is currently a senior at Westminster Christian and will graduate this spring. He has been the Chess Master in chess club and is currently on the track and field team at Westminster.

Ben has been with Troop 2 almost 10 years and feels that Scouting is important to him "because it has taught me respect for others and how to be the best I can be."

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is the completion of Boy Scout training as a youth that will last for the rest of his life. For some, it is the first step in assuming positions of great leadership. For all Eagle Scouts, it is a sign of their commitment to the values of Scouting.

For details about joining Troop 2, visit Troop2.com.