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.
Caleb Coffman began his trail to Eagle in 2010 with Pack 216 in Independence, Missouri as a Bear Cub and crossed over to Troop 216 in 2013 upon receiving Cub Scout’s highest award, the Arrow of Light. In 2014 Caleb joined Troop 206 where he served as a Troop Guide, Den Chief, and Patrol Leader and joined Troop 42 in September of 2016. As a Scout in Troop 42 Caleb served as an OA Troop Representative and Den Chief.
Caleb has earned 39 Merit Badges in addition to earning the World Conservation Award, Den Chief Service Award, the National Outdoor Activities Award in Camping and Aquatics, Totin’ Chip, Mile Swim Award, Complete Angler Award, 12-Month Camper and Religious Emblem Knot, and a Silver Eagle Palm signifying his completion of 15 additional merit badges beyond the number required for the Eagle rank. He has participated in 103 nights of outdoor camping and logged more than 30 hours of community service to organization outside of Scouting.
Caleb was elected into the Order of the Arrow and became an Ordeal and Brotherhood member in the OA before Joining Troop 42. Caleb served as Chapter Chief and Nimat Chair in the Tamegonit Lodge of the Order of the Arrow and earned the Brown Hawk Coup for Service to the Lodge. He attended the 2018 National Order of the Arrow Conference at the University of Indiana and was bestowed with the Vigil honor in the Order of the Arrow in October 2019. His Vigil Name is Wulelendamuwl Allogagan which means Joyful Servant in the Lenni Lenape language.
Caleb has attended Scout camp at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation five times and served an additional summer on the camp staff in the Sawmill kitchen and is a Tom-Tom Beater in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. His tribal name is Peaceful Feathered Bull.
For his Eagle Scout Project, Caleb improved the campfire area at South Crysler Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. Included in his project was the construction of a covered firewood storage rack. The project totaled 130.5 hours of community service.
Caleb is a senior at Truman High School in Independence. Caleb ran cross country tack his sophomore year and sang in Trutones his junior year and is a member of the JROTC. Caleb was awarded the Cadet of the Year for both his LET 1 and LET 2 class of JROTC and is currently in LET 3 class as the rank of Captain and serving as a Company Commander. He has participated in the Drill Team and Raiders Team.
Caleb follows in the legacy of his Great Uncle David Allen who also achieved the Eagle Scout Rank and significantly influenced Caleb’s aspirations in Scouting.
