February 8, 2020
On Sunday, January 26, Boy Scout Troop 42 held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor to recognize three new Eagle Scouts: Caleb Coffman, Jay Edson and Blair Van Biber.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouts. It is quite an accomplishment considering that the Boy Scouts of America reports that only about 7% of young men who enter the Scouting program attain Eagle.
To attain the Eagle Scout rank a Scout must work his way through the first five ranks by learning skills such as camping, first aid, and personal fitness. He must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, provide leadership to his troop, and plan and execute a community service project.
Blair Van Biber began his trail to Eagle with a Pack in Alexandria, Virginia, then Pack 216 in Independence, Missouri before joining the Webelos 1 Den with Pack 42 and crossed over to Troop 42 in 2016 upon receiving Cub Scout’s highest award, the Arrow of Light. He has served as Den Chief, Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader.
Blair has earned 42 Merit Badges in addition to earning the World Conservation Award, Den Chief Service Award, the National Outdoor Activities Award in Camping, Totin’ Chip, 50 Miler Hiking Award, Philmont Arrowhead Patch, Community of Christ World Community Award, and a Silver and second Bronze Eagle Palm signifying his completion of 20 additional merit badges beyond the number required for the Eagle rank. Blair has also completed and staffed the National Youth Leadership Training course. He has participated in 72 nights of camping and logged more than 57 hours of community service.
Blair has attended Scout camp at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation for the past four years and is a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. His tribal name is Golden Swift Darting Woodpecker.
For his Eagle Scout Project, Blair restored approximately one mile of hiking/biking trail for the Jackson County Parks & Recreation at the Blue Springs Lake Complex. Included in his project was the building of 100 yards of new trail to improve the safety of the trail along the lakefront. The project totaled 122.5 hours of community service.
Blair is a freshman at Blue Springs South High School. He plays French horn and mellophone and is a member of the marching, concert, and pep bands. He also plays bass guitar in the school jazz band.
Blair follows in the legacy of his uncle Rob, his great-uncles, John, Joe, and Jeff Van Biber, his grandfather, and his father who also achieved the Eagle Scout Rank.
