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Troop 1102 welcomes three new
eagles scouts
[June 18, 2026]
On Sunday June 14, Scout Troop
1102 held a ceremony for three young men. Kyle Marten, Riley
Simpson, and Calvin Aukamp have now earned the rank of Eagle, the
highest rank in Scouting. This is a major accomplishment since less
than 2% of Scouts reach the Eagle Rank. Their awards were presented
by Senator Sally Turner and Pastor Ken Kline from St. John United
Church of Christ.
The boys got involved with Cub
Scouts when they were 6 years old. As they grew, they earned various
ranks along the way. They joined Scout Troop 1102 when they were 10
years old where they learned about leadership, outdoor ethics, and
community service. They attended dozens of events, campouts, and
trips where they made new friends and learned many new skills.
Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges to become an Eagle
Scout. These merit badges include such things as Cooking, First Aid,
Personal Fitness, Sustainability, Personal Management, and multiple
Citizenship merit badges. Merit badges also include various hobbies
and career interests.
The rank of Eagle also includes a
service project that the Scout develops on their own. These projects
are likely the best-known portion of the Eagle Scout process. Scouts
must reach out to a local church, school, or community institution
and propose a plan for their service project. They must prepare a
budget and submit planning documents to be approved by the local
Scouting Council in Peoria. The Scouts need to provide leadership to
get their project completed and then submit additional paperwork to
Council for final approval. This process allows the Scout to
demonstrate character worthy of the Eagle rank.
For his Eagle project, Kyle Marten
constructed a new signpost and flower bed for the Mt. Pulaski Park
District. This was installed at East Pond to provide a scenic
entrance along IL Route 54.
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Riley Simpson worked with Lincoln
FC soccer club on his Eagle service project. He was able to install
large nets behind the goals on several soccer fields to keep the
soccer balls contained to the fields.
Calvin Aukamp completed his Eagle
project at Kickapoo Creek Park. He worked with the park
superintendent to select a location to build a Gaga Ball pit, which
is a game similar to dodgeball. The public is invited to check out
these service projects and see how they enhance our local community.
These Eagle Scouts are to be congratulated for their hard work,
ambition, and dedication. Troop 1102 and the St. John United Church
of Christ are proud of their accomplishments.
[Provided by Bret Aukamp]
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