Boy Scouts earn record number of merit badges

Boys in grades 6-12 were honored this month as part of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 35 Laguna Beach’s “court of honor” ceremony.

Local Scouts earned a collective 64 merit badges, a record for the 70-year-old Scouting organization sponsored by Laguna Presbyterian Church, during the six-day Emerald Bay Scout Camp on Catalina Island in August, according to a news release.

Leaders bestowed badges in scuba diving, basketry and other specialties.

Troop life can be transformative, said one honoree, Grant Miller, a Laguna Beach High senior and youth Scout leader.

“It has given me the unique opportunity to see the drastic effect that it can have on the kids,” Miller said in the release. “I really hope that more guys take advantage of the opportunity to go out, have fun, and just be guys for a little bit.”

In addition to Miller, recipients included Sam Eidt, Jared Moy, Will Thomas, Logan Leeds, Bobby Briggs, Andrew Ranabarger, Sean Cavanaugh, Michael Davidson, Jared Hammett, Joseph Hovanesian, Marin Huot-Marchand, Joseph Kerfoot, Jake Mangus, Jonathan Ranabarger, Jack Reed, David Spitzand Alden Stoneman.

Troop 35 meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at the church, 415 Forest Ave.

For information or to join, visit lagunabeach35.mytroop.us.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce