Troop 16, B.S.A., which is chartered by St. Philomena’s Church, recently held a Court of Honor to award Robert D. Newbery the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Robert joins his father, Bob, and brother, Rich, in reaching this accomplishment. Currently, Robert is a senior at Livingston High School.

Robert joined Pack 16, B.S.A. as a Tiger Cub while attending first grade at Hillside Elementary School. He progressed through the Cub Scout program. As a Webelos Scout, Robert received Cub Scout’s highest award, the Arrow of Light. While a Cub Scout, Robert attended summer resident camp with Pack 16 at Camp Glen Grey and Camp Lewis as well as attending day camp at Camp Yaw Paw and Camp Somers.

As a member of Troop 16, Robert was awarded the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life before completing the 21 merit badges and leadership requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout. The Eagle Rank also required Robert to plan and carry out a complex service project showing leadership of a project that benefits the community. His service project was to support the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter with the help of Troop 16 and others. Robert attended summer resident camp with Troop 16 at Ockanickon Scout Reservation and Camp Turrell. For the past four years, Robert has been a staff member at Winnebago Scout Reservation where he has been part of the shooting sports program, the Dan Beard/first year camper program as well as a camp ranger.

Robert has participated in trips with Troop 16 to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston as well as having camped at many locations throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. He participated in National Youth Leadership Training. During one spring vacation, Robert traveled to Florida to attend the Boy Scouts High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada, Florida where he lived onboard a 41’ sail boat with 5 other Scouts handling all of the daily tasks between them. They sailed from the Sea Base to Key West and back to Islamorada. In addition, Robert attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico where he hiked for 10 days covering over 70 miles. He also attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort AP Hill in Virginia. Robert was a youth staff member for a cluster Wood Badge course run by Northern New Jersey Council, B.S.A. and Patriots’ Path Council, B.S.A. which is a course for adult volunteers involved in Scouting where the participants learn leadership and team-building skills.

In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Robert had to progress through the Boy Scout ranks from Tenderfoot to Eagle. He also had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges including the following required merit badges: First Aid; Citizenship in the Community; Citizenship in the Nation; Citizenship in the World; Communications; Environmental Science; Personal Fitness; Camping; Family Life; Personal Management; Lifesaving; and Swimming. In addition, Robert had to serve in a troop leadership position, which for Robert included Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Quartermaster and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

He had to plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project for a community organization. Robert’s Eagle Project was an in support of the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter. In addition to collecting food, toys and other items needed by the animals, with the generosity of local residents, Robert was able to provide a stainless steel veterinary examination table for the Animal Shelter. Finally, Robert had to take part in a Scoutmaster conference and successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

Robert now is an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 16, B.S.A.