Eagle Scout is the highest and most difficult rank that can be achieved by a Scout in the the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since it’s establishment in 1911, only less than 6 percent and approximately 2.5 million of Scouts have earned this award. The Scout is required to earn at least 22 merit badges, maintain leadership positions, provide community service, and completing an Eagle Scout Project that will benefit the citizens of the community. This project allows the Scouts the opportunity to use all the skills they have learned along their Scouting journey to plan a project, get proper approvals, fundraise, lead a team of Scouts, and adapt to any issues that may occur to complete the project. After a successfully completed project, the Scouts must pass an Eagle Board of Review which allows a group of respected members of the Troop and community to ensure that the candidate embodies all 12 points of the Scout Law and will follow hte duties required of them by the Scout Oath in order to be called an Eagle Scout.
As life long members of the Long Beach community, both Caleb and Hayes started their Scouting journey together as 1st graders as part of their Tiger Den in Long Beach’s Cub Scout Pack 321. After they earned the Arrow of Light achievement, they crossed over into Long Beach’s Boy Scout Troop 205 where they attended weekly meetings in the Scout Hut, went on monthly campouts, earned rank, completed merit badges, attended summer and winter camps, went white water rafting, camped in caves, hiked, backpacked, learned survival skills, canoed, and even welded! Caleb and Hayes were honored at their Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony on March 25, 2023, hosted at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach, MS.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Scouts BSA: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/
Troop 205: https://lbmsscouts.org/
POINTS OF CONTACT
Scoutmaster
Michael Kruk
michaelkruk@icloud.com
Assistant Scoutmaster
and Caleb’s Dad
Tash Solangi
solangit@gmail.com
228.342.0539
Assistant Scoutmaster
and Hayes’s Dad
Hayes Johnson
rhayesj@gmail.com
CALEB SOLANGI:
● Leadership Positions: Senior Patrol Leader, Chaplain’s Aid, Troop Guide, Webmaster, Patrol Leader
● Merit Badges Earned 35
● Eagle Project: Caleb saw a need for a trailhead sign for the walking trail at the Long Beach Activity center. This sign provides a professional start to this highly trafficed path in the heart of Long Beach. Not only does it have a map of the trail with the significant landmarks along the path, it also provides essential safety information and guidelines for all walkers and pet owners. Caleb worked with graphic designers to execute his vision for the sign, consulted with construction experts on the structure itself, and worked with his team to put it all together.
● Future Plans: After graduating from Long Beach High School, he will be attending Millsaps College in Jackson where he will be majoring in biochemistry with the intent of going to medical school. He will also be me a member of the Millsaps Major’s tennis team.
● Family: Tash Solangi
HAYES JOHNSON:
● Leadership Positions: Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Patrol Leader
● Merit Badges Earned 29
● Eagle Project: Living in a hotspot for hurricanes, the people of Long Beach have to constantly prepare for these tropical storms by filling sandbags. For most citizens this task is difficult to impossible without help. Hundreds of sandbags are filled within days and even hours of the storms impact. Hayes seeing a need to make this process easier and more efficient, built multiple sandbag filling systems to expedite the filling process. These devices have been provided to the city of Long Beach to be placed along side the sand piles on the storm’s eve. This project will help people who are preparing for a scary weather event.
● Future Plans: After graduating from Long Beach High School, he will be attending Mississippi State University in Starkville where he will be majoring in political science with the intent of going to law school. He will also be me a member of the Mississippi State’s Famous Maroon Band.
BACKGROUND ON TROOP 205:
Troop 205, located in Long Beach, MS on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been part of the Boy Scouts of America since its first approved charter in 1939. We operate through our chartered organization, the First United Methodist Church in Long Beach, MS and are a member of the Pine Burr Area Council.
The Troop offers boys, between the ages of 10 and 18, the opportunity for adventure, friendship, learning, excitement, leadership, and fun. This boy run and boy led troop allows them to plan and organize events, meals, and earn achievements while being leaders.
While the scouts work on their journey to become Eagle Scouts, they also do many activities including whitewater rafting, camping, backpacking, fishing, flying, canoeing, archery, water skiing, and so much more!