Rep. Stan Blake meets with Boy Scouts from Troop 312, Green River, at the temporary Capitol on February 29. From L to R, Rep Blake, Brecken Caroon, Daniel Ames, Greg Sherwin, Thomas Whitaker, Sabien Maez, John Makie, Oliver Cruz, Eagle Scout Matthew Winkel, Martin Cruz, Travis Kloepper and Eagle Scout Kyle Thomas.
Gov. Mead receives the Scouting report for 2015 from an Eagle Scout representing the Long's Peak Council on February 29, 2016. Looking on are parents, Scouts & adult leaders from all around Wyoming.
Boy Scouts from Green River made their report to Gov. Matt Mead at the end of February, national scout month.
Each February, Scouts across the nation present a report to the governor of their state. Select scouts are also picked to present a report to the U.S. President as well. Green River's Boy Scout Troop 312 and eagle scouts recently spent the last day of boy scout month in Cheyenne during Wyoming's recent legislative session.
The report presented to the governor entails the progress of scouting in the state. Boy Scouts is a congressionally charted organization and each year since the founding charter in 1910, Scouts nationally have made a report to congress.
Every Scout who received eagle rank in 2015 was invited to attend the event.
Troop 312 invited their other members to join in the event as well, including the younger Boy Scouts, ranging up from age 11.
In total, 13 Scouts packed in two vans made the trip to Cheyenne for the governor's report.
"I think it's really nice for the boys to see that scouting is a big organization, especially for the younger ones," Troop 312 committee member and former scout master Dennis Freeman said.
He said it is easy for the younger Boy Scouts to think Boy Scouts just consists of their one troop. Going to an event like this one, helps the boys to realize just how big of an organization it is that they belong to.
The fact that the governor took the time out of his schedule to spend 40 minutes with them made them feel special, a part of something bigger outside of themselves. During his time with them, he listened to the report, answered questions and posed for photos with them.
"The governor made a big deal to tell them how much scouting contributes to their community," Freeman said. "For an 11, 12-year-old, that's kind of a nice message to get that not only are you doing something you're interested in, but that this is something that other people place value on. It's not just about you."
For the older Scouts, Freeman said the visit with the governor is more of an award.
"It's all that time and effort that's gone into leadership and service, all the other things they have to do to become Eagle Scouts," he said. "It's sort of an award to be standing there, getting your hand shook by the governor."
To get to this point, the newly appointed Eagle Scouts had to go through various hurtles. To receive eagle rank, a scout has to complete 23 separate merit badges, each a hurtle in its own accord. They have to carry out various service projects, including their largest project which they must take on, on their own. Each Eagle Scout hopeful must plan and lead the service project themselves, and it must be for an entity outside of scouting. Newly appointed in 2015 from around the state of Wyoming were present, including two from Troop 312 out of Green River, Kyle Thomas and Matthew Winkel.
While the Scouts were present during the legislative session, they toured the house and the senate, and were introduced and recognized at the senate. Green River's local state representatives also met with the scouts.
"We had a really nice reception from our local representatives," Freeman said. "Stan Blake, he took the time to really talk to each of those kids."
"I was a Scout myself in Evanston," Rep. Stan Blake, D-Green River, said. "It reminds me of why I am elected, which is to try and make a difference for the future of our young people."
Reader Comments(0)