On Dec. 28, 2020, Alex LaVerdiere, a member of Boy Scout Troop 262 in Grantville, completed the requirements to earn the Horsemanship merit badge. With its completion, Alex marked a milestone - earning all of the 137 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Reportedly, fewer than 500 Scouts have earned every merit badge available since the BSA formed in 1910, out of approximately 2.5 million Scouts in the program.

In the BSA program, merit badges are a way for Scouts to learn about life skills, such as first aid, camping and swimming; hobbies, including wood carving, photography and fishing; and vocational opportunities like dentistry, forestry and American business.

Scouts can earn merit badges from age 11 until their 18th birthday. "It was always my goal (to earn the badges)," Alex said. "I set the goal when I was about 9."

Alex also earned the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouting. Eagle Scouts are required to earn 21 merit badges, 13 of which are specified by the program.

Alex said that his favorite merit badges to earn involved scuba diving, whitewater rafting and snow sports. His most difficult was Bugling. "I had to learn (to play the bugle) from scratch; I took six months of lessons," he said. "I had to learn 10 songs and make up one of my own. It is the least-earned merit badge."

Alex earned merit badges at BSA summer camps, during activities with his troop and on his own time, as well as at local "merit badge college" events. For example, he earned his Dentistry merit badge at merit badge college after speaking with a local dentist who was there as a merit badge counselor.

Alex displays his badges on his merit badge sash, which weighs about five pounds. "I really want to thank my family, the leaders and the counselors that have helped me achieve this goal," he stated.

In addition to his troop activities, Alex has served as the vice chief of program for the Sasquesahanough Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, which is the BSA national honor society. He has also mentored local Cub Scouts in Pack 362 as a den chief and has served as a BSA summer camp counselor.

Now that he is 18, he plans to continue his Scouting career as an adult leader. "(Scouting) helps you in every aspect of your life," he shared.

Alex, who graduated a year early in June 2020 from Commonwealth Charter Academy, plans to attend St. Joseph's College of Maine to study science and business administration. "Someday I would like to start my own company," he stated. "I am excited for the new chapter in my life."

Troop 262, which is sponsored by St. John's United Methodist Church in Grantville, is part of the Keystone Capital District of the New Birth of Freedom Council. For more information about Scouting in the greater Harrisburg area, readers may visit http://www.newbirthoffreedom.org.