Friday July 29th saw the ‘Bur-Ford-Ton’ Venturers hosting an Eagle Scout ‘Court of Honor’ for 2 American Boy Scouts. DJ Kempson is from The Grand Canyon Council in Arizona. He achieved Eagle Scout in August 2014. However, he moved to Australia before he could have his Eagle Court of Honor. Gabe Pagram is originally from Three Fires Council in Illinois and achieved Eagle Scout in Brisbane this April as an American Lone Scout attached to the Far East Council based in Japan. Gabe’s Eagle Scout Project, to relocate and fit-out the Holy Trinity Fortitude Valley community pantry, involved some 30 Scouts, parents and friends in January this year. The young men were very happy to share a little of American Scouting with their Brisbane Venturing colleagues.
DJ is also an American Lone Scout, and is using outdoor experiences with Scouting in both Australia and the US to work towards the National Outdoor Achievement Award for outstanding skills and participation in each of camping, aquatics, conservation, hiking, riding and adventure.
Both DJ and Gabe are keen Venturers. Gabe achieved Queen’s Scout late-2015, and DJ is determined to achieve Queen’s Scout before he returns to America. Both acknowledge the huge part Scouting plays in their lives, and reflect on the many friendships and awesome life experiences they have enjoyed through Scouting in different parts of the world.
Kevin Chase
Group Leader Wilston