NEW BERLIN – During the Troop 61 “Voice of the Eagle Ceremony”, Saturday, March 3, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Calvin Rifanburg, 17, was awarded the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Requirements for attaining this rank include earning at least twenty-on merit badges, demonstrating Scout Spirit through the Scout Oath and Law, as well as service and leadership. This includes an extensive project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads and manages. Calvin’s project was the renovation of the New Berlin Rotary Pavilion at Fish Field, begun once approval was gained from the then Village Mayor, Carol Riley, that included more than fifty-five hours plus the help of many local people and businesses over a three-year period.
Requirements indicate such a project must benefit an organization other than the BSA, but cannot be performed for an individual or a business, cannot be solely a fund-raising project and cannot be a commercial effort.
To accomplish this project Calvin solicited the help of friends and relatives to help with the construction aspects of the renovation that included the building of a new counter and requirements of the village for reinforcement. Calvin gained the support of local businesses including more than $1500 in materials from Curtis Lumber, thanks to John Sheldon. Businesses and organizations in the community sponsored the provisioning of paint, supplies and ten new picnic tables for the area through donations made by The American Legion - Frank H. Arnold Post Number 348, Curtis Lumber, Masonic Temple, New Berlin Rotary, New York Pizzeria, Perfect Solutions Florist, Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Upper Susquehanna Water Shed Association and Wideman Stables.
The Eagle Scout Award represents many years of dedicated effort. It is a firm demonstration of how people, working together through the years, can truly help mold a young man with a solid sense of leadership, citizenship and responsibility.
Calvin started scouts as a Tiger Cub when he was in the first grade and continued on through the Arrow of Light Award, which is the highest Cub Scout award that he earned when he was eleven years old as a Webelos Scout. Those who have earned the Arrow of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout badge and are therefore prepared to become a Boy Scout. This award is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop.
For the next six years as a member of Troop 61 Calvin thrived under the leadership of Scout Master James Mosley who was also honored March 3rd for his dedication to Scouting in New Berlin from 1987 until now. James, an Eagle Scout himself, with three sons who also attained this high honor, has brought many boys to the pinnacle of scouting through his tireless efforts over the years.
Calvin is the son of Jim and Wendy Rifanburg, of New Berlin. Jim is a construction worker and Wendy owns the “Perfect Solutions” Florist Shop. They are very proud of Calvin and his accomplishments.
Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. The title is held for life, thus explaining the phrase, “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.” Congratulations Calvin for a job well done.