Hancock Achieves Top Rank in Scouts and Pathfinders

About four percent of Boy Scouts make Eagle Scout, and the percentage of Pathfinders who achieve Master Guide is roughly the same. Both of these are daunting tasks.

But don’t tell that to Chapel Oaks member Dakota Hancock. Invested as a Master Guide at the 2019 International Pathfinder Camporee, he has now completed the top rank in both the Boy Scouts of America and Pathfinders within the past two years.

Photo: Dave Fairchild

Thanks to his dedication and hard work, Dakota has become a leader in both groups. In Scouting he has served as Den Chief, and is currently a member of the Order of the Arrow and Mic-O-Say. In Pathfinders, he is beginning his third year in the TLT program with the Explorers Pathfinder Club.

Club director Jason Hansen says, “Now that he has completed his Master Guide, Dakota will be given more responsibilities leading out in club activities, and leading in the TLT training program.”

Dakota says he has learned a lot from the two programs, with each enriching the experience of the other. As an official instructor of the Scouts’ Leave No Trace program, he was able to lead out in directing a similar program with Pathfinders.

Looking at what he has learned about life through completing more than 120 Scout merit badges and more than 170 Pathfinder honors, Dakota says with a smile, “Youth programs give you an insight of what your future has the potential to be.”

With this type of leadership in place, the future of the church looks very bright.

Photo: Hugh Davis

Dave Fairchild is a member of the Chapel Oaks Church in Kansas City.