Sussex District boasts 21 Eagle Scouts

There is no doubt that Sussex County Boy and Cub Scout packs, troops and ships are active.

Just how much service scouts do was highlighted at the annual Sussex District recognition brunch on March 15 at the Lewes Yacht Club.

The district had 21 Eagle Scouts this year, including six from Troop and Ship 2540, sponsored by Elks Lodge 2540 in Lewes, and six from Troop 95, sponsored by Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown.

Cub Scout Pack 182, sponsored by Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Seaford, and Troop 1, sponsored by Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes, were named units of the year.

Scouting Family of the Year was the Abbott family who participate in Pack and Troop 95 in Georgetown.

Eagle Scouts in the district for 2013 include: Tobias Ferl, Troop 1, Lewes; Samuel Parsons and Logan and Tanner Waide, Troop 89, Millsboro; Travis Caraway, William Cutter, Troy Justice, Matthew Schneider, James Tober and Malik White, Troop 95, Georgetown; Joshua Yawn, Troop 249, Seaford; John Douds, Jackson Jorss, Christopher Smith and Tristan Smyth, Troop 281, Ocean View; and Dylan Brown, Corbin Hudson, Daniel MacElrevey, Richard Sommerfield, William Thomas III and Lance White, Troop 2540.

The Sussex district represents fewer than 9 percent of the scouts in the DelMarVa Council, yet contributes nearly 50 percent of the community service hours – a total of 46 hours of service per youth, said Ron Kernehan, the district's community service chairman. “Volunteering is a core value of our society, and it's important to set that at an early age,” he said.

Pack 182 in Seaford was honored as the Sussex unit with the most service hours. The 22,358 total represents nearly 700 hours of service per Cub Scout. Kernehan said that is by far the most of any unit on Delmarva and may be a record for any unit in the country.

Cub Pack 95 from Georgetown had the largest increase in hours over the previous year increasing service hours by 144 percent.

Troop 281, sponsored by Lord Baltimore Lions in Ocean View, had the most service hours per scout – 118 based on 6,383 hours – as well as the highest increase in service hours over the previous year – 278 percent.

With 119 hours per scout, Ship 198 in Milton had the most service hours per member in 2013.

Pack 182, Troop 281 and Ship 198 had the highest number of service hours and the highest number of hours per scout in the DelMarVa Council.

Journey to Excellence awards were presented to the following units: Gold – Cub Scout packs 5, 95, 166 and 182; Boy Scout troops 1, 89, 95 and 382; and Ship 198. Silver – Troop 105; Bronze – Troop 249.

Troop 2540 Scoutmaster Dan MacElrevey served as chairman of the recognition committee and Scout Charlie Meggison of Troop 89 was master of ceremonies.