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Date: 1/3/2024
PALMER — Boy Scout Troop 164, the oldest troop in Palmer, hosted an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on Sunday Dec. 10 to celebrate troop member Thomas Roblinski’s achievement of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout, Troop Scoutmaster Bill Mullen told Reminder Publishing.
Roblinski, 17, now joins two other Troop 164 members who also earned the Eagle Scout rank this year, Mullen said.
The journey to becoming an Eagle Scout is long and requires several steps over multiple years, Mullen explained. After joining Boy Scouts, a member must fulfill the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class and Star, which all have their own individual requirements. Once a member completes the Star rank, they become a Life Scout and can begin working on a significant community service project to reach Eagle, Mullen said.
A Monson resident, Roblinski chose to complete his final project at Monson’s Conant Brook Dam after noticing that the markers were faded or embedded in tree bark in certain parts of the trail, he said in an interview. In addition, he was also familiar with the location due to other Eagle projects in the area as well as his experience with hiking.
As a result, Roblinski planned and executed a project to place new markers along the three mile trail at East Hill Road. To ensure the markers would last in the coming years, Roblinski utilized galvanized markers and nails that were environmentally friendly. He also placed the markers a quarter inch away from the tree bark in order to prevent the markers from becoming embedded in the bark, he said.
Roblinski stated that he has been involved in scouting since fourth grade when he joined Cub Scouts, a BSA program for younger scouts. He explained that while he originally joined BSA for the chance to go camping and learn different skills, Roblinski “quickly realized” that he was interested in becoming an Eagle Scout.
In addition to the individual ranks, prospective Eagle Scouts must also complete 21 required merit badges. Each teaches the member a specific skill set, such as personal fitness or first aid, and has its own series of steps. Beyond these required badges, there are 117 other merit badges that members can earn, according to Boy Scouts of America.
“Out of every 100 youth that joins [Boy Scouts], only four will make the rank of Eagle Scout,” Mullen said, highlighting the needed motivation to complete the steps to Eagle. “They have to do it personally. They have to really want it.”
Mullen, who has been scoutmaster of Troop 164 for 22 years and involved with the organization for 32 years, explained that the journey to Eagle is a vital educational experience for members.
“Every boy or girl [in Boy Scouts] may not make it to Eagle, but they should try,” Mullen encouraged, emphasizing how the process not only teaches the member life experience but also develops their mind and body.
“Where you find leaders, you’ll find Eagle Scouts,” Mullen stated.
For Roblinski, who will soon age out of BSA at age 18, his scouting journey is only the beginning. He’s enlisted in the Air Force, where he can continue to apply his BSA skills and his status as Eagle Scout will allow him to start at a higher rank, he said.