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To say that Scout Troop 918 is active would be an understatement. This school year, under the direction of Scoutmaster Chip Bulgin, the troop has elevated seven Scouts to the rank of Eagle. Since the inception of the rank in 1911, it is estimated that only 4% to 6% of Scouts nationally go on to earn the rank. The young men of Troop 918 of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church recently shared details about their journey to scouting’s highest rank.
Senior, Severna Park High School
Court Of Honor: November 30, 2024
Eagle Scout Project: Dismantled unusable fire pit at Colchester on the Severn community beach and installed a new one.
Reflections On Scouting: “The most important lesson I learned from scouting was resilience. At the bottom of an 11,000-foot mountain, you can feel overwhelmed and doubt your abilities. Halfway through the climb, you may feel even more discouraged and fatigued. But when we reached the summit of Mount Phillips on Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, I realized that struggle was worth every second. This experience motivates me to stay disciplined in other areas of my life, which in turn has grown me into a better man.”
Senior, Severna Park High School
Court Of Honor: November 30, 2024
Eagle Scout Project: Installed a meditation garden at Temple Beth Shalom synagogue in Arnold, including a plaque dedicated to the victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel.
Reflections On Scouting: “I came up with the idea for the meditation garden immediately after the attack, and I assessed that my community, especially the Jewish community, needed a place to heal and pray because of all of the tension and war in Israel. Through scouting, I’ve learned that life isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey. Cherish every moment and know that the process is just as special, valuable and important as the end-goal itself.”
Senior, Severna Park High School
Court Of Honor: December 14, 2024
Eagle Scout Project: After the Our Shepherd Lutheran Church sign was replaced, Scouts leveled the ground, built a retaining wall, added a small garden area, and created a paver path from the sign to church.
Reflections On Scouting: “The best skill I gained in scouting is leadership. Serving as a senior patrol leader at a relatively young age helped prepare me well for future leadership. I found I gained a lot of valuable skills in leading those who I consider to be my peers, which led me to excel in other leadership positions, like serving as editor-in-chief of my school’s yearbook.”
Senior, Severna Park High School
Court Of Honor: December 14, 2024
Eagle Scout Project: Led construction of two gazebos to provide picnic table coverage at Lake Waterford Park’s playground.
Reflections On Scouting: “The most important lesson I learned from scouting is perseverance. No matter the mental or physical challenge, if you set your mind to something, you can accomplish it … no matter what. You may not know your boundaries, but you can keep pushing forward, learning from your experiences, and finding success. Teamwork does make the dream work. The people I enjoyed scouting with know that teamwork is crucial for success.”
Senior, Archbishop Spalding High School
Court Of Honor: March 16, 2025
Eagle Scout Project: At Maryland Therapeutic Riding — created a sensory station of small doors with horseshoes, including photos and information on the horses who wear the shoes; refurbished beanbag toss station; and repainted other areas.
Reflections On Scouting: “I decided on Maryland Therapeutic Riding because I firmly believe in their mission: connect human and horse to help conquer physical, developmental, and emotional challenges and improve the quality of life of children, adults, active military and veterans with special needs. Through scouting, I’ve gained self-confidence as I learned to hold myself accountable always.”
Senior, Glen Burnie High School
Court Of Honor: February 1, 2025
Eagle Scout Project: Planned and facilitated a diverse repertoire of a musical recital/concert at The Sheridan at Severna Park, an assisted living facility, giving the residents a chance to connect with community members, scouts and musicians, and enjoy snacks, refreshments and cards handmade by the Scouts.
Reflections On Scouting: “I plan to apply the skills and values of scouting into my everyday life with my daily interactions with others. Growing as a person requires you to exit your comfort zone, physically, emotionally and socially.”
Sophomore, Chesapeake High School
Court Of Honor: January 4, 2025
Eagle Scout Project: Repaired or built new cabinets, shelving and counter space in Pasadena United Methodist Church’s food pantry.
Reflections On Scouting: “I plan to continue to stay involved with scouting until I go to college, then possibly help lead a troop after college.”
For more information about Scout Troop 918, email Scoutmaster Chip Bulgin at chip.bulgin@comcast.net.
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