LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — The Boy Scouts of America Troop 66 out of Dunmore recognized seven new Eagle Scouts at their ceremony in the Presbyterian Church on Chestnut Street.
The scouts were recognized for their commitment to faith, nature, their community, and their country.
"Each of them, as part of their eagle project, had to do a service project. Some of them were done at this church, where one of them redid a set of stairs, another redid some landscaping, another of our scouts redid a fence at McDade Park," said Larry Durkin, Mentor Boy Scouts of America Troop 66.
Durkin says this is the first time in Troop 66's over 70-year history that they are honoring this many new Eagle Scouts.
CJ Muir, one of those scouts honored in the ceremony, says the scouts taught him how to be a leader and beyond.
"Pride is definitely a word for it. I've known these guys for six years now, and it's changed my life. I used to be this kid that was stuck inside playing on computers, and scouts taught me nature. Scouts taught me everything," said Clinton James 'CJ' Muir, new Eagle Scout.
Scouts were also given an opportunity to recognize those who have helped them reach this milestone.
Martin Smith has been a Boy Scout for nine years. He says one of his biggest takeaways throughout the years is when you're scared, do it anyway, "One of the requirements was to get a swimming proficiency test, and I was like horrified of that, and I got there and like I didn't want to do it and like I tried it and like I failed."
But four years later, he's completed every swimming requirement.
Parents say they were more than proud to see their sons grow through this journey, "It feels really good. Martin has worked really hard to get to this point. He's done a lot of work to get here, as did all the boys. And I'm proud to be a part of Troop 66 and be able to see the development of all these scouts," said Matthew Smith.
Now, the new Eagle Scouts are excited to take on the role of leading the future generation of Eagle Scouts.