Boy Scouts is a larger commitment than most think. Many hours are put in, and the expectations are high. The troop members have to attend multiple meetings a week, complete various tasks to achieve badges and be held to higher standard within the program. A majority of students quit when they are young simply because the workload is too much. However, junior Joe Talbot has remained in Boy Scouts all these years and rises to meet those expectations.

“Scouting has helped shape me today because it gives me a reason to be a better person,” Talbot said. “It has helped set me up for so many opportunities in life.”

This past month, Talbot received the Eagle Scout award, which is the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts. In order to become an Eagle Scout one must receive the 11 required Eagle Scout badges in addition to 10 other badges that they have chosen themselves. They also must complete one large service project of their choosing that benefits the community in some way.

“My advice to future Boy Scouts is to stick through it because its worth it in the end,” Talbot said.

Talbot began the program when he was 6 years old, and has continued his service for 11 years. Talbot joined the program because his dad was a Boy Scout, his sister was a Girl Scout and his brother is an Eagle Scout.  After the candidate has completed all the requirements, they have a conference with their Scoutmaster. During this conference the Scoutmaster looks at their achievements and determines if they are ready. The candidate is then further questioned by a member of the district, the Boy Scouts council and a troop member. At this meeting the candidate can be named an Eagle Scout, which is confirmed in a ceremony that takes place soon after. Talbot’s ceremony will be held next month.

“My family inspires me,” Talbot said. “They have encouraged me through this entire, very long process.”

Talbot has received about 30 different badges, including badges for archery, backpacking, canoeing, art and climbing. His favorite badge he has obtained is the Wilderness Survival badge, in which he had to spend a night in the woods with only a tarp and some rope. For Talbot’s service project built a library in Town Square in Steiner out of  PBC pipes and wood. He chose this project in particular because there are a multitude of children who live in Steiner Ranch and who are learning to read. Building the library took him three months total.

“I chose to build a library because kids especially need to have access to learning materials,” Talbot said. “It was a lot of hard work but I’m happy with the outcome.”