Six boys of BSA Troop 533 earn rank of Eagle Scout

It is quite an accomplishment to earn the rank of Eagle Scout for one boy, as only two out of one hundred boy scouts will do so. However, last month, BSA Troop 533, in New Berlinville, featured six boys that obtained the pinnacle rank! There were close to two hundred friends and family in attendance, including State Representative Tom Quigley and Sons of the American Revolution Correspondant, Robert Murray. The boys also received multiple accolades from past and current presidents and government officials, corporate heads and even Mike Rowe of TV’s Dirty Jobs by way of letters of congratulations.

The six scouts, Anthony P. Bauer, Thomas G. Zimmers, Adam M. Halterman, Dylan R. Downey, Austin D. Robinson and Michael J. Heffner, earned the coveted Eagle Scout rank by completing merit badges in many areas such as Emergency Preparedness, Personal Finance, Citizenship in the World and Camping, just to name a few. They have also completed 50-Mile hikes and canoe trips, served their community, learned how to be valuable citizens and became honorable peers for younger scouts. However, the most resounding task required of them was the Boy Scout Eagle Project.

Anthony Bauer’s project was to repair and restore the bell tower at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Boyertown. Thomas Zimmer’s project consisted of constructing an attachment to the pavillion located at St. Andrew UMC in New Berlinville. While Adam Halterman’s project also benefitted St. Andrew UMC, his included the installation of stone stairs and railing in St. Andrew’s lower flower bed. The project of Dylan Downey was refurbishing the courtyard garden area at Chestnut Knoll Assisted Living Facility in Boyertown. Austin Robinson’s 200 man-hour project was a complete restoration of Fritz Cemetery in Boyertown, the resting grounds for at least six Revolutionary War Veterans. Lastly, Michael Heffner’s 275 man-hour project consisted of a complete fencing and field restoration of the Minors/Major field for Pine Forge Athletic Association at the Douglas Township Building in Pine Forge.

As Scoutmaster Kevin Zimmers stated, “These boys will all be successful in life”. The six boys agree that the reason for their success is due in part from the help, encouragement and guidance that Mr. Zimmers, the Assistant Scoutmasters and their parents have provided, and of course, because of their own perserverance.

Forty-four Eagle Scouts have emerged from this troop, under Scoutmaster Kevin Zimmers’ leadership. BSA Troop 533 meets at St. Andrew UMC on Swamp Creek Road in New Berlinville on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM.