Christian Owen of Hastings, a Boy Scout working toward his Citizenship in the Community Badge, attended a recent Hastings City Council meeting and was introduced to the council and audience by Mayor David Tossava.
Christian, 12, is working toward the 13 of 21 badges that are required for an Eagle Scout ranking. The other eight badges needed to qualify for the Boy Scout’s highest honor are optional choices.
Darrick and Darcie Owen’s son, a member of Hastings Troop 175, has already met with Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf, worked in a soup kitchen and helped on a project at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. “He’s enjoyed his community service,” mom said.
At the same time Christian is earning his Citizenship in the Community Badge by attending a civic meeting, he was also earning Environmental Sciences and Family Life badges.
“Next week, he will meet with Dr. Tom Hoffman and get his Physical Fitness Badge,” dad said, making a total of 9 of the 13 required. This summer at Scout camp in early July at Clare, Christian will work on the Citizenship in the Nation Badge, another step toward becoming an Eagle Scout.
Dad said he signed up as a Boy Scout as a youth, but with wrestling, football, band and driving distances, it didn’t work out, so he’s happy to see Christian involved in Scouting and, ”help him along. Sometimes, kids can pick up where you left off. We’re both very proud of him.”
Alexia, 10, and Drew, 7, round out the Scout-oriented Owen family. Alexia is a Girl Scout, Darcie is a Girl Scout Leader of 9-11 year olds in Troop 80517 and dad volunteers at Scout campouts.
Hopefully in the future, Christian can attend a National Scout Jamboree with thousands of other Boy Scouts. Usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the first national jamboree was held in Washington, D.C. for ten days in July 1937 and attended by 25,000 Scouts. Originally scheduled in 1935 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting, it was postponed due to a polio outbreak.
Photo: Christian Owen, Boy Scout of Troop 175, is welcomed to a Hastings City Council meeting by Mayor David Tossava.
