Two Eagles take flight in Grandview

Farnworth, the son of James and Jan Farnworth of Grandview, is a senior at Grandview High School and is the first Eagle Scout in Troop 643 history who started his Scouting career as a first-grade student in the Tiger Cub program in Cub Scouts. He worked his way through Cub Scouting attaining The Arrow of Light before transferring into the Troop. In the Troop, he earned 31 merit badges, numerous Troop-specific awards, the National Outdoor Award in Camping, the 50 mile afoot-afloat award and the Den Chief Service Award. His Troop leadership positions included Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Instructor. Earlier this year, he was elected to the Order of the Arrow, a National Honor Camping Society, and completed his Ordeal in June at Camp Fife. His Eagle Scout Service Project was to build two horseshoe pit lanes at Grandview’s Eastside Park. In his Troop experience, he completed 78 nights of camping including a winter camp experience where he built a snow shelter and slept in it for a night and several week-long summer camps in the Northwest. He completed 100 miles of canoeing, including an arduous week-long trip on the Snake River that was complicated by high winds, storms, and high heat. He also completed 108 hours of community service. His Eagle Award was accompanied by two Eagle Palms for earning ten merit badges above the 21 required for Eagle. Since turning 18, he has registered as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 643.

Binfet, the son of Troy and Rachel Binfet of Grandview, is a senior at Sunnyside High School having completed earlier grades at Bickleton Schools. He joined the Troop without having participated in Cub Scouts and rapidly became very involved in Troop experiences. He has earned 30 merit badges, the 50 mile afoot-afloat award, the National Outdoor Award in Camping, and the World Conservation Award. He has earned a number of Troop-specific awards as well as the Den Chief Service Award. His Troop leadership positions have included Quartermaster, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, As Senior Patrol Leader; he served two and a half years to lead the Troop through the difficult pandemic period when Troop activities were severely limited. It would have been difficult to give up, but he did not and cheerfully accomplished the various tasks required of the position. His Eagle Scout Service Project was to conceive, plan, organize and lead a Wreaths A cross America program at the Oddfellows Cemetery in Bickleton. In his Troop experience, limited by the pandemic, he attended 49 nights of camping, including winter camp and week-long summer camps in the Northwest, 50 miles of canoeing, over 135 miles of hiking and over 100 hours of community service. He summited Mount Adams earlier this summer. He was elected to the Order of the Arrow in 2019, completing his Ordeal at Scout-a-Vista that year. He also attended National Youth Leader Training in 2021.

During their ceremony, they heard from three Troop 643 Eagle alumni: Choncy Pena (Eagle class of 1998, David Bruinekool (Eagle class of 1988) and Nik Schultz (Eagle class of 1999). Schultz delivered the Eagle Charge.

Scouts from both the Troop for boys and the Troop for girls had parts in the ceremony.

Tim Bardell, Scoutmaster of Troop 643, presented the Eagle medals to each Scout’s mother who then pinned it to their son’s breast. The Scouts then presented Eagle Mom, Eagle Dad and Eagle Grandparent pins to their parents and grandparent. The Scouts also presented Mentor pins to those who helped them on the trail to Eagle.

“Each of these young men have grown into fine gentlemen during their time in the Troop and will carry many memories with them,” Bardell said. “They achieved a lot these last few years.”

Troop 643 (for boys) and Troop 644 (for girls) are sponsored by Fred E. Hayes Post 57 of The American Legion as part of their effort for wholesome mentoring of youth.

More information about the Scouting programs in Grandview for young men and women can be obtained by calling Jim Davidson at 882-1984 or email Grandview.Scouts@gmail.com.