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age:19 Benjamin Gardner has had a long-time interest in Scouting, dating back to when an older brother joined the Cub Scouts in the second grade. So when Benjamin got to second grade, he joined Cub Scouts too, and has participated in numerous activities there, including family campouts, P inewood derbies, R aingutter regattas, Klondike derbies, bike rodeos, bottle rocket launchings and more. Benjamin stayed active in Cub Scouts until the fifth grade, when he achieved the Arrow of L ight and bridged into Boy Scout Troop 16 . Since then, he’s camped at least once per month and gone to week-long summer camps at Boy Scout council camps up and down the E ast Coast, eventually earning E agle Scout status in February 2 0 2 0 . “Scouting has afforded many opportunities to meet new people and have new experiences to different activities outdoors and indoors,” said his father, R obert Gardner. Benjamin also likes to help others by participating in service projects that benefit others in the community, and he feels proud of the work he has put in to earn
3 7 merit badges and several rank achievements, “with the pinnacle being E agle Scout.” Among the more valuable skills he’s gained from Scouting include life skills such as cooking, camping and swimming, along with duty to God, self and others and doing the right thing by following the 12 points of Scout L aw. But Benjamin, 19 , who attends Nansemond R iver High School, also kept up with interests outside of Scouting, playing baseball in the L ittle L eague Challenger division from around the first grade through 2 0 19 , and was set to play again last spring before COV ID-19 hit. He’s also been swimming with the Special Olympics for the past four years until the season ended in February 2 0 2 0 , and he has bowled with the Special Olympics for the past three years. Benjamin plans to continue with those sports as soon as activities can resume. He’s hoping to continue going to school for two more years and continuing his education and eventually getting a job. And no doubt, he’ll soar like an eagle. — Jimmy LaRoue
What is your favorite TV show? Anything food and or home improvement/design related What are your favorite hobbies? Playing outside with my dog, fishing, swimming, biking and playing video games
Benjamin Gardner
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