Devon 50 Court of Honor Salutes Eagle #283
Will Batt

The Devon 50 Court of Honor was convened February 21, 2009
by Al Plambeck, Devon 50 Trustee Chairman Emeritus

Charge given by J. B. Rettew, Devon  50 Trustee

William Andrew Batt – #283

Born in Bryn Mawr, PA on January 9^th, 1992, Will lives in Strafford with his parents, Bob and Sandy. Starting his scouting career in Cub Pack 111 as a tiger cub, Will bridged into Devon 50 January 2003; that same night he left for Devon 50’s winter camping trip. Some of Will’s fondest Cub Scout memories include selling popcorn at the farmers market, the wacky and wild pinewood derby car designs and attending summer camp at Jarvis.

            The greatest benefit that Will has taken from the scouting program is leadership skills. His leadership experience started with Mr. Calligan’s Quartermaster group back in 2004, then Assistant Patrol Leader of Fox Patrol in 2005 and Patrol Leader in 2006. As Senior Patrol Leader for the first week of summer camp in 2007, Will had a challenging time with the large group of younger boys. Learning from that experience, Will has done a good job of leading the troop for the past six months as Senior Patrol Leader.

            In 2006, Will was awarded the Thomas Stilwell Jr. Award for his enthusiasm in troop activities and the Edmund J. Purdy Jr. Award for his incomparable cooking abilities. He was awarded the Lenker-Flood Award for leading the Fox Patrol in having the highest patrol points in 2007. Will became a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow in the spring of 2008 and vividly remembers his initial ordeal and the two straight days of rain that accompanied it.

            Will has enjoyed participating in nearly every type of trip organized by the troop including backpacking, skiing, caving, canoeing, biking, and whitewater rafting.

In 2005, Will attended the National Jamboree where he learned skills varying from patch trading to hatchet throwing. His most memorable experiences were the high adventure trips. Will joined the contingent that hiked up Tuckerman’s Ravine to the top of Mt. Washington in 2006. The next summer, he soaked up the beautiful scenery on the trails of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch. Summer 2008, Will accompanied his father, the McGills and Grewells canoeing through Quetico and the boundary waters of Minnesota at Northern Tier Canoe Base.

            Will’s Eagle project consisted of making a trail to connect the two halves of the Airdrie Forest Preserve. He would like to thank Tim Lander and the many scouts and friends who helped him complete the trail.

            Will is a junior at Conestoga High School where he primarily focuses on his studies. Outside of school and scouting, Will is also an active member of the Main Line Unitarian Church where he currently acts as the president of the youth group.

            Will would specifically like to thank Mr Coonley and Mr. Rohrbeck for their support as scoutmasters, Mr. Tickner for helping him through his position as SPL, his friends for always being at his side, his parents for all of their love and encouragement, and especially Mr. McGill for guiding him through his eleven years in the scouting program.