Troop 57 held its semiannual Court of Honor on August 25, 2009 in Schreiber Hall at First United Methodist Church of Garland.  Approximately 200 guests, family members, and Scouts attended.  Scouts and adults were recognized for their achievements over the past six months.

The first highlight of the evening was the Wood Badge ceremony for Rodney Amyx and Letreanna Castro.  Wood Badge is Scouting’s premier training course for adults.  It involves a week long course in the outdoors learning leadership skills and the methods of Scouting, followed by an 18 month period of service projects and experiences.

Sixty one troop members were recognized for their advancement and merit badge completions in the past six months.  Every rank from Scout to Eagle Scout was earned by members of the troop during that time frame.  Ben Cooper is the newest Troop 57 Eagle Scout.

The 57 Days and Nights neckerchief was awarded to Travis Day, Eli Johnson, Stephen Scott and Andrew Vaughn.  The 114 Days and Nights neckerchief was awarded to Josh Scott and Bill Webb.  Both neckerchiefs recognize Scouts and adults for nights camping either in a tent or under the stars on Boy Scout outings.

Letreanna Castro presented Bob Merriman with the Kevin Harrison Service Shovel for outstanding service by an adult to the troop.  Each recipient gets to name the next recipient and add a token to the award shovel.

Rodney Amyx and Bob Merriman presented the troop with the summer camp skin. The leather skin chronicles the troop’s latest summer camp experience. Skins from previous summer camps decorate the walls of the Troop 57 meeting room.

Outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Eli Johnson and incoming Senior Patrol Leader Andrew Vaughn made remarks, followed by a video presentation of the troop activities since the last Court of Honor.

Scoutmaster Tom Cooper installed the new troop officers.  The evening concluded with a Scoutmaster’s Minute, Scout Vespers, and the Scoutmaster’s Benediction.