On March 5, Troop 1 Eagle Scout Stephen Shaffer completed his 10th Eagle Palm. Stephen now holds the record for the most Eagle Palms earned in Boy Scout Troop 1.

When Stephen was a young Boy Scout, then-Scoutmaster Robert Baker challenged him to earn more merit badges than the 40 Baker had earned as a scout in Troop 1. Stephen took that challenge to heart. He currently has 79 merit badges and is working on more.

When a Scout makes Eagle, he has completed 21 merit badges. For every five merit badges he earns after Eagle and for every three months of continued service in the troop, he can earn a palm. The first palm is bronze, the second is gold and the third is silver.

Stephen has completed and served on staff for National Youth Leader Training at Bayport Scout Reservation, and he completed training for National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience at Philmont. He is a Brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow. He has held many roles in the troop, including Senior Patrol Leader, and he now serves as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

Stephen is an honor roll student at King’s Fork High School. He pitches and plays first base on the junior varsity baseball team.

Troop 1 is sponsored by Main Street United Methodist Church. Meetings are held every Tuesday at 7 p.m.