Ayers flies high as Eagles' first completed ticket

Jeff Ayers (right) learns the basics of flag folding on Day 1
with fellow participant James Fogal.

Wood Badge Course S9-91-14 has officially recorded its second completed ticket — and the first from among the members of the Eagle Patrol. Jeff Ayers of Troop 115, chartered by Pine Mountain Valley Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Point. Jeff's ticket items, which center around his vision to leave his troop better than when he joined it, included the following goals that have led to more organized advancement in his troop, stronger connections between his troop and Pack 115, and additional opportunities for Scouts and leaders in his district:

• Goal 1: build chuckboxes for each of the troop's two patrols as a means of improving the patrols' campout cooking performance and to better organize their cooking supplies
• Goal 2: repair and clean up the troop's Webelos crossover bridge
• Goal 3: expand upon his duties as assistant scoutmaster to include serving as the troop's advancement chair, thereby filling a leadership void left by a volunteer who was transitioning out of this position, and to update and computerize troop advancement records
• Goal 4: begin service as a member of George H. Lanier District's Eagle Board for a period of at least six months to learn more about the Eagle review process and as a means of helping Scouts in his troop advance
• Goal 5: broaden his personal understanding of international Scouting and share that information through a presentation at a district roundtable and to the Scouts in his troop

Jeff credits his wife, as well as his friend Jacob Johnson, as his greatest morale boosters. "Both were there for me when I needed help or time to complete ticket items," Jeff said. "I'll happy give credit to Joshua Crawford and Andrew Baird for helping guide me to pick ticket items that were clear, direct, attainable, and SMART. They helped me take my raw ideas and refine them down to the items that were approved."

The ticket process also seems to have helped Jeff prepare for the ever-evolving Scouting roles many of us experience as Scouting volunteers.

"When I started Wood Badge, I was an assistant scoutmaster. Since our scoutmaster moved, I am now our troop's scoutmaster, and I have taken to the job well. The boys are excited and the parents are happy too. 'It was my move,' and I took it!"

Jeff is scheduled to receive his beads at the council's Wood Badge Reunion at Camp Lumpkin on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.