Zumbach earns Eagle rank

January 23, 2008

Donald Zumbach of Boy Scout Troop 277 was recently presented his Eagle Scout rank at a ceremony held at the Mason Building in Brunswick, Md.

This is the highest rank a Scout can achieve, and Donald is the first Scout from Troop 277 to reach this milestone in four years.

According to statistics, only two boys out of every 100 will become a Scout, and only one of these will become an Eagle Scout. To become an Eagle Scout, a boy must advance through the ranks, hold positions of leadership in the troop, provide service to others, and complete an Eagle project. Collectively, this amounts to a minimum of 325 requirements, all before his 18th birthday.

Donald was a member of Brunswick Pack 277, where he earned his Arrow of Light, before bridging into Troop 277 in 2000. As he advanced through the ranks, he held a variety of leadership positions, including patrol leader, senior patrol leader and junior assistant scoutmaster. He was chosen for the Order of the Arrow and completed his Ordeal in 2002, his Brotherhood in 2003, and Vigil in 2006.

Donald attended summer camps at Goshen, Sinoquipe, Camp Rodney and Camp Airy. In addition, he took advantage of the opportunity to go canoeing in Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Canada and backpacking in New Mexico, at both Double H and Philmont Scout ranches. Through the OA, he spent two weeks at the National Jamboree and a week at the National OA Conference.

Donald earned more than 30 merit badges as well as BSA patches for boardsailing, scuba, mile swim, BSA guard and kayaking. Donald has been involved in numerous service projects, including Scouting for Food, BARC's Haunted Woods, VFW Corn, and the JFK 50-Miler aid station at Weverton.

For his Eagle project, Donald built five benches for the campsites at the David Lesser Shelter on the Appalachian Trail.

The shelter is three miles south of Keys Gap, Va. Using plans perfected by Ben Trettel, the benches were 8-foot long and constructed of treated lumber.

Fortunately, Donald had found closer access to the campsite, so they only had to be carried about 400 yards uphill without a trail. Once the benches were made, Donald and his fellow Scouts hiked them to the campsites and anchored them with rebar. Hikers used the benches as soon as they were in place.

Donald continues his Scouting career, as he is now an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 277. A graduate of Brunswick High School, Donald attends Hagerstown Community College and works for the City of Frederick.

Donald is the son of Anne and Lee Zumbach of Hagerstown, and the grandson of Helen Schley and the late Donald Schley of Hagerstown.

|

|

|