South Burlington Rotary sponsors scouting in our community. Recently, Truman Bates was awarded the rank of Eagle at a Court of Honor on July 21. See press release by clicking the link.
South Burlington, VT – July 21, 2025 – Truman Bates of Cambridge, Vermont, was awarded the
prestigious Eagle Scout Award on July 20th, a testament to his dedication, leadership, and
service within Troop 611 of South Burlington. This esteemed accomplishment places Bates
among a select group, with only 4-6% of all Scouts nationwide achieving the rank of Eagle.
For his Eagle Scout project, Bates significantly improved the trails at the Krusch Nature Preserve
in Cambridge, Vermont, enhancing accessibility and enjoyment for the community. In addition to
his impactful project, Bates earned 27 Merit Badges, exceeding the required 21.
prestigious Eagle Scout Award on July 20th, a testament to his dedication, leadership, and
service within Troop 611 of South Burlington. This esteemed accomplishment places Bates
among a select group, with only 4-6% of all Scouts nationwide achieving the rank of Eagle.
For his Eagle Scout project, Bates significantly improved the trails at the Krusch Nature Preserve
in Cambridge, Vermont, enhancing accessibility and enjoyment for the community. In addition to
his impactful project, Bates earned 27 Merit Badges, exceeding the required 21.
Bates's scouting journey has been marked by extensive high-adventure experiences and a deep
commitment to the program. He attended the challenging Philmont Scout Reservation and spent
seven years at various scout camps across Ohio, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
In 2019, he represented his troop at the World Jamboree in West Virginia.
His early achievements include earning his Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout. As he progressed,
Bates was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Camping Society, and
received the Messenger of Peace Award and the Paul Bunyan Woodsman recognition. He also
completed the demanding Challenging Outdoor Personal Encounter (COPE) program.
A 2025 graduate of Lamoille Union High School, Bates completed the Aviation and Aerospace
Program. He also participated in the Vermont Governor's Youth Program in 2024.
Looking ahead, Bates will attend Norwich University in August as part of the Corps of Cadets,
with aspirations of receiving a commission in the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Eagle Scout rank requires a Scout to fulfill several demanding requirements, including
earning 21 merit badges (13 of which are mandatory), demonstrating strong leadership skills, and
successfully completing a significant service project. In the last 50 years, 33 Troop 611 scouts
have earned the rank of Eagle.
The spirit of Scouting is thriving in South Burlington, with a strong presence that includes over
100 Scouts across Troop 611 (boys), Troop 6110 (girls), Pack 678 (Cub Scouts ages 5-11), and
Venturing Crew 1914, serving more than 100 scouts more than 10 towns in Chittenden County. If
interested in scouting, go to https://beascout.scouting.org/