By Chris O'Gorman Troop 5 Committee Chairman

June 17, 2026: Troop 5 Bronxville celebrated a year of growth, leadership, service, and outdoor adventure during its Court of Honor held on June 9, recognizing dozens of Scouts for rank advancements, merit badges, and special achievements.

The Court of Honor, led by Senior Patrol Leader Otto Deichert and Master of Ceremonies Justin O’Hare, brought together Scouts, families, volunteers, and community members to celebrate accomplishments earned through dedication both in and outside of Scouting.

The evening began with the presentation of colors, the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and an invocation that highlighted the values of service, kindness, integrity, and respect that guide Scouting.

Three Scouts earned the rank of Scout, two earned Tenderfoot, three earned Second Class, three achieved First Class, and three Scouts reached the rank of Life.

Particularly notable was the advancement of several younger Scouts who progressed rapidly through multiple ranks, demonstrating their commitment to learning outdoor skills, leadership, first aid, navigation, cooking, and community service.

Scouts were also recognized for earning dozens of merit badges across a wide range of subjects. From traditional outdoor skills such as First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Orienteering, Fire Safety, and Cooking to modern topics including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Digital Technology, Troop 5 Scouts continued to explore new interests while developing practical life skills.

In total, Troop 5 Scouts earned 36 merit badges since the previous Court of Honor.

Troop 5’s success is supported by a large volunteer team of assistant scoutmasters, troop committee members, merit badge counselors, and parents who dedicate countless hours to delivering a quality Scouting program.

During the Scoutmaster’s Minute, Scoutmaster Rob Deichert reflected on two themes: gratitude and grit.

He encouraged Scouts to recognize and thank the volunteers, parents, and fellow Scouts who make their achievements possible, noting that character is still built through personal interactions, service, and helping others.

He also challenged Scouts to embrace difficult tasks and seek opportunities for growth.

“Life doesn’t get easier as you get older,” Deichert told the audience. “One of the greatest gifts Scouting gives young people is the opportunity to practice doing hard things.”

He concluded by encouraging both Scouts and parents to continue taking the next step, whether earning another rank, accepting a leadership role, taking on a new challenge, or volunteering to support the troop.

As the ceremony concluded, the achievements on display served as a reminder that Scouting remains one of the community’s strongest programs for developing leadership, citizenship, service, and resilience in young people.

Troop 5 Bronxville meets weekly and offers year-round opportunities for camping, hiking, community service, leadership development, and advancement. The troop welcomes new members interested in joining the adventure.