By Maddie Martin
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY — On Dec. 9, John Sleeman and Henry Daul were honored during an Eagle Scout Ceremony at Ascension Lutheran Church in Allouez, where they were recognized for their achievement at the age of 16.
Starting as Cub Scouts, then eventually moving up to Boy Scouts in fifth grade, Sleeman and Daul have been involved with the scouts for about a decade and are now members of Troop No. 1040 in Green Bay.
“We’ve been a part of scouting going on 10 years,” says John’s mother, Cindy Sleeman, “It’s been a very positive experience and we’ve made a lot of great memories.”
As Cindy explains, the boys have moved up through the multiple ranks of the Boy Scouts, moving from Second Class, to First Class, to Life Scout, with the highest rank being the Eagle.
Many Scouts end up stopping after they earn their Life Scout, as that is when most people age out of the program.
“So it’s really cool that the boys are earning their Eagle,” Cindy explained. “Since both of them are 16, they’re younger than a lot of the Boy Scouts who get their Eagle.”
In order to earn their Eagle, there are a number of requirements.
The boys must earn a minimum of 21 badges, hold a leadership position in their troop and it is recommended that they participate in a high adventure trip.
Last summer, John and Henry went on a high adventure sailing trip in the Bahamas with the rest of their troop and three adult chaperones.
Scouts must also complete a service project to achieve the rank of Eagle, which includes the planning, presenting, building and installation of a given project.
Last May, John led a project to install a gaga ball pit at Webster Elementary School.
While other troop members helped with the building and installation of the pit, John was responsible for the bulk of the project.
His project was reviewed in November when he was approved to become an Eagle Scout.
This past summer, Henry worked with the village of Bellevue to build and install two “little libraries” in the area.
Similar to John, Henry was responsible for leading the project, which was reviewed in October.
At the ceremony, the boys had the opportunity to revisit their journey with Boy Scouts, as well as share their beliefs of how their experience will help guide them in the future.
The boys received an Eagle Scout pin as well as a certificate for their achievements.
“As far as the [Boy Scouts], I see only positives that have come out of it for our son,” says Cindy, “it’s a great learning and growth experience.
“I recommend it for both boys and girls. The things that they learn and the things that they do, they aren’t able to get anywhere else.”