Troop 711 honors two new Eagle Scouts

On Jan. 4 BSA Troop 711 held a Court of Honor at the Trillium Gathering Building in Purcellville and presented two scouts with their Eagle Scout awards. Only five percent of scouts achieve this top honor. Over the last 20 years 108 scouts from Troop 711 have received this award, including these latest two—Gideon Loomis and Wade Reynolds. 

Troop 711 Committee Chair, and former Troop 711 Scoutmaster Scott Walker, delivered the Eagle Charge and Elijah Loomis gave the benediction.  Joel Hill was master of ceremonies.

Loomis received 32 merit badges that included Wilderness Survival, Canoeing, and Hiking. In addition, as a Senior Patrol Leader he organized and led a group of boys for a Dutch dropping outing where the scouts were dropped off at night and did night hiking to find themselves back at camp.  

Loomis’ Eagle project included working with the park rangers in organizing and leading a group of boys, constructing and installing park benches in Northern Virginia’s Sweet Run State Park. 

He said, “Scouting has so many opportunities where you can make a difference and also change yourself.” He also shared how he was pushed beyond where he thought his limits were to be able to achieve his goals. Said Loomis, “And that was very rewarding.” 

Reynolds received 35 merit badges that included Wilderness Survival, Climbing, Hiking as well as Caving and Canoeing. He is an expert axe thrower and served as a Senior Patrol Leader leading the troop during a summer camp. 

Reynolds’ Eagle project was leading a team in re-constructing four fire circles at Bear’s Den. 

He said that scouting and being an Eagle has fundamentally prepared him to face any physical, mental or spiritual challenges that will come his way. Reynolds said, “The road to Eagle instilled grit and determination, shaping me into a paragon of youthful resilience, leadership, and accomplishment, and has impacted my character for the rest of my life.”

These young men have proven to be great leaders. If you see them around town please give them a shout out on their accomplishments.