Matthew Rock holding a donation box for Chres Village School & Orphanage. Photo by Julie Rock.
Troop 07 Eagle Scouts By Brenda Korn, Troop 07 Publicity Chair Singapore’s Troop 07 continues to grow young men into future leaders. At the March 9 Court of Honor, Matthew Rock and Dymock Dibb were recognized for having achieved Scouting’s highest rank, that of Eagle Scout. The Eagle rank is earned by less than 5 percent of Boy Scouts. There are six ranks leading to Eagle Scout, each with a set of requirements. A boy must earn at least 21 required merit badges in areas such as camping, personal management and citizenship, serve in a position of responsibility within the troop for at least six months, complete a demanding, self-designed service project and live the Scout Oath in his daily life. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Rock has been a member of Troop 07 since 2007. Matthew’s Eagle project involved organizing a clothing and school-supplies drive for the Chres Village School and Orphanage in Siem Reap. If you have ever visited the Siem Reap area, you are probably aware of the desperate needs of many of the schools in the surrounding villages. Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Hartberger was instrumental in introducing Matthew to the school principal, and from there Matthew took charge. By traveling to Siem Reap and liaising with the principal, he identified the needs of the school and ensured everything was acceptable. After returning to Singapore, he placed collection boxes in the High School and Middle School. New and gently used clothing as well as an array of school supplies were collected, sorted and packed by scouts, parents and friends whom he recruited for the project. When Matthew delivered the many boxes of supplies, the kids were overwhelmed Dymock Dibb resurfacing the railing at a Thai school. by the donations! Dymock Dibb, also 18 years old, has spent his entire scouting career here in Singapore, starting as a Cub Scout in the second grade. His Eagle project consisted of renovation work at Rimtaloe School on Koh Yah Noi in Phang Nga Bay, off the coast of Phuket. With Hartberger as his project coordinator, Dymock organized scouts, parents and friends in the refurbishing of the school’s rusting metal doors and railings. He also oversaw the construction of several new picnic tables. Dymock’s was one of the first Eagle projects to take place during the Troop’s annual sailing adventure, thus incorporating community service with a trip that in the past was just a fun excursion. One lasting benefit of his hard work was that this tradition has continued within the Troop. Combining fun and adventure with community service has enhanced the scouting experience for many of the younger boys as they see the older scouts as role models working hard to achieve their goals. In this, Matt and Dymock have served as terrific role models. Congratulations Matt & Dymock on a job well done!
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SAS NewsFlash – May 2010