It’s always inspiring when a young man perseveres and attains the rank of Eagle Scout. But when three young men reach this goal on the same date, and these three young men are brothers who just happen to be triplets, we’re bursting with pride! Hats off to Adam, Brian and Colton of Irving Troop 508, triplet brothers who each attained their Eagle Scout rank on April 17th this year.
The brothers began their Scouting adventure together as Tiger Cubs. Their mom and dad also began their Scouting journey at the same time; their mom even helped out on some campouts. All three boys attained the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award, the highest achievement in Cub Scouting. Even before crossing over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, their adventure began strong. As first year Webelos Scouts, the triplets went with a Boy Scout troop to Pagosa Springs, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest. With the focus on having fun and experiences, the boys repelled a 120’ cliff face. Participation in the Boy Scout program offers opportunities that young people today don’t often experience.
After crossing over to Boy Scouts, Colton attended an aquatic school during a weeklong resident camp at Worth Ranch. Although this was Colton’s first campout without his brothers and parents, Colton earned several merit badges as well as the Pine Knot for perseverance and tenacity through the program, showing the qualities and spirit of Worth Ranch. Adam recalls the fun of a very windy campout held at the Texas Motor Speedway. The Scouts learned to be adaptable and helpful as the wind tumbled tents.
The triplets worked on many merit badges together, but also pursued different merit badge interests individually at summer camps and merit badge colleges. Adam and Bryan both enjoyed earning the Weather merit badge and hope to study meteorology in college. Colton enjoyed earning the Pulp and Paper merit badge, and learning how paper is made.
All three of the brothers completed Scouting’s National Youth Leadership Training program. Scouting provides skills that can prepare young people for life circumstances and for meeting challenges. It teaches resilience and adaptability. It teaches responsibility to self and to others. Scouts learn merit badges like First Aid, Cooking, Communication, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Family Life, Camping, and Citizenship in the Community, Nation and World.
Through the adventures of Scouting, Adam, Brian and Colton all enjoyed the fun and challenges of a 52-mile, 5-day trek at the Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Canada and a 2-day hiking, and 3-day 64-mile sea kayak trek in a Glacial Bay at the Alaska Denali High Adventure Base. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the boys’ Philmont high adventure trek through rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains, as well as rescheduling of the 2021 National Scout Jamboree, the triplets are looking forward to possible future adventures at the 2022 World Scout Moot in Ireland or a 50-mile white water trek at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. World Scouting events provide opportunities for young adults in Scouting to meet together with the objective of improving their international understanding as citizens of the world.
Earning the Eagle Scout rank requires years of hard work and dedication to Scouting, as well as serving the community through projects such as food collections for local food pantries, trash pick-up, conservation projects and much more. Brian shared that when it came time to work on pursuing their Eagle rank, the boys planned to do what they could together. In addition to requiring the Scout to earn at least twenty-one merit badges, the Eagle candidate must pass an approval board and plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a project helpful to the community.
For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Adam helped the Parks Department and City of Euless by organizing and repotting 2,500 trees in preparation for an Arbor Day Celebration. Brian chose to benefit Trinity High School with his Eagle Scout Service Project when he noticed students, some of which were in casts, had to sit in mud while waiting for the bus at a hilltop bus stop. Brian organized and led volunteers in building a bench at the bus stop to alleviate the troublesome issues he had noticed. For Colton’s Eagle Scout Service Project, Colton led and organized volunteers to produce and set in place trail markers in a park near a retirement home in Irving.
All three of the triplets, as well as their dad, have been elected into the Order of the Arrow, the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath (a promise to live up to the ideals of Scouting) and Scout Law in their daily lives are elected into the Order of the Arrow by their peers. Brian said that Scouting and having their dad there with them has been a great experience.
Older Scouts are expected to set a good example for younger Scouts and help them on their Scouting journey. As far as future Scouting goals, all three of the brothers plan to stay active in their troop, helping guide and teach younger Scouts. Each of these Eagle Scouts are also members of Venture Crew 508. They are members of Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Irving. Additionally, Adam is a member of his high school choir, Brian is a member of the high school band, and Colton is involved in high school theater and choir. Before COVID hit, all three young men were involved in a competitive robotics program. In addition to being a family active in the Boy Scouts of America, the family is also active with their two daughters in the Girl Scouts.
The lifetime experiences of Scouting are part of the journey along the way to one of the most respected titles in the Scouting realm and beyond. Eagle Scouts take with them honed leadership skills, an understanding and appreciation of servant leadership, as well as the responsibility to uphold the title of the highest level of Scouting. Thanks in large part to Scouting, Adam, Brian and Colton are prepared for life.