Summer Court of Honor

Ethan gets his badges
Alex gets his badges

Ethan introducing...nervously

Alex announcing an award - all business

So the end of summer is here. School has started, and Ethan & Alex had their Boy Scout Court of Honor this weekend. Summer camp is usually the big deal of the year for Troop 44, and at the end of summer they have an award ceremony/cookout to celebrate. Ethan got 4 merit badges( archery, aviation, golf, woodcarving) and a camp badge. Alex received 5 merit badges(aviation,archaeology, forestry, photography, wilderness survival) and a camp badge. I am really proud of the work they did to get them, but I am also proud of the parts they played in the ceremony as well. Each of their patrols had to give out merit badges and rank advancements. This means they had to stand up in front of the crowd(approx. 200 people) say the names of the scout and the awards they received. Now if you know anything about Alex, this is a big deal. I was talking to one of the scout leaders during this and she said she remembers that Alex used to hide behind the pillars or other people so he would not have to speak into the microphone. Today he was right up there with his deep,young man voice and spoke so clearly, that I couldn't believe it. Ethan did great as well. He is not as shy as Alex is, but I have to say the mike can be intimidating. I think his patrol leader made him say his part again, louder the second time, and he was getting braver. In a few years, we will probably have to pry the mike out of his hands before he does a stand up routine. Anyway, lots of fun(&food). Both boys have said their goal id to be an Eagle scout, and so a working(& camping) we will go. Ciao!