By Elissa Ryan Morris

It is with both sadness and celebration that Cedar Mill Scouts Troop 207 BSA announces it is disbanding. The last meeting of Troop 207 was held on June 5, a joint Eagle Court of Honor celebrating six young men (pictured below) who this past year earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Begun in 1928, Troop 207 started meeting in Cedar Mill in 1943 and has served the community for 81 years collecting literally tons of food for The Oregon Food Bank, cleaning up trash along roadways, and (especially helpful in the days before yard debris pickup) recycling Christmas trees and greens each holiday season. Members have added to the community with their Eagle Scout projects including cleaning and rebuilding playgrounds, building shelters to protect and hide dumpsters, and cleaning out stream beds—removing invasive species and replacing them with native plants, building mountain bike trails, improving community gardens, and planting perennial food crops to feed low income and unsheltered Portlanders.

Only about six percent of scouts earn the highest rank of Eagle each year. To do so, a scout must earn six different ranks, 21 merit badges, hold leadership positions within the troop, then work with a community organization to create and execute their Eagle Scout Project.

Many famous people have been Eagle Scouts including U. S. Presidents, astronauts, doctors, journalists, and explorers. In a study conducted by Baylor University, Merit Beyond the Badges, found that Eagle Scouts are more likely to: have higher levels of planning and preparation skills, be goal-oriented, and network with others; be in a leadership position at their place of employment or local community; report having closer relationships with family and friends; donate money to charitable groups; and work with others to improve their neighborhoods. 

If you are interested in having your son or daughter join Scouts BSA, log on to beascout.scouting.org for information on local troops for all ages.