The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
By Michele Rojek.
Boy Scout Troop 113 held another Eagle Court of Honor March 24 at its sponsor, the Somerset Presbyterian Church on John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Honored this time around was Joseph Repsher; the FR&A caught up with him, his father, Jay, a Scout leader, and his mother, Danielle, for a Q&A.
So now that you’ve risen to the top of the summit after your long journey to Eagle Scout, (Quite an achievement!!) can you tell us how does it feel to have completed your Scouting career at such an early age?
Joseph: It feels amazing. I can’t believe how fast the time went. I had so much fun on the camping trips and expeditions and teaching the younger scouts. I’m proud of myself but I couldn’t have done it without my fellow scouts. I learned so many new leadership and people skills that I know will help me in my future. Now I can relax and enjoy scouts as I focus on driving and preparing for college.
You’ve coached your son through 11 years of scouting adventures… Jay participated as Assistant Scoutmaster, You have made sure many a JLT scout did not starve… J How do you think your involvement as a participating adult volunteer has impacted Joseph’s progress along the way?
Danielle: I believe that Jay’s involvement as Assistant Scout Master enabled Joseph to be more confident and comfortable in the beginning knowing that his Dad was participating. Eventually, that “support” wasn’t necessary but having us participate in camping trips, or events or expeditions was fun for all of us and we have shared many fun memories and it gave us a chance to get to know all the boys.
Over the years, I’ve cooked for various scouting events. In particular, I cook meals for the annual Junior Leader Training (JLT) weekend events. I love to cook and it still thrills me to see how the boys devour everything. The boys (and the leaders) are so appreciative, that I enjoy cooking for them even more.
Jay: I treat all the boys as if they are mine. I am so proud of them when they learned a skill or made rank or were kind and helpful to each other. The boys are my family and I am really going to miss all this when Joseph ages out in a year.
Was it always easy for Joe to have his dad involved, did he get special treatment?
Jay: As a leader, I expected Joseph to set a good example, so instead of getting special treatment, I think I was harder on him than the other boys. Because I know him, I know what he can and can’t do, I expected more from him. If I couldn’t get my own son to listen or do something, how could I expect everyone else to listen? In the end, I believe, that this pushed him to get things done.
Joseph – the Eagle Scout – Do you have any advice you would like to share with the younger scouts who are well on their way to becoming an Eagle? Any words of wisdom to share as they start to spread their wings?
Joseph: When I was a young scout, I wanted to quit because it seemed like too much work with too many skills to learn like knots and first aid. After the beginning ranks, the basics got easier and I began to have more fun and to look forward to scouts each week. Scouts isn’t just about knots or first aid or orienteering. It is about the friends and the experiences made within scouting. It’s about growing and doing new things. Keep at it and you won’t regret it.
