11 new Eagle scouts in Troop 600 may be record for Chief Seattle Boy Scout council

No one's been keeping records on which Boy Scout troop in the Northwest can claim the record for the most young scouts receiving Eagle Scout pins and merit certificates in a single ceremony. But the 44 scouts in Dr. Doug Backous' Boy Scout Troop 600 in Bellevue would be willing to throw their hat in the ring.

Monday night, Troop 600 held a Court of Honor, a ceremony of recognition, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, for 11 Scouts who've earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, topping the group of nine the troop had in 1967.

"It's a huge accomplishment, and it recognizes an enormous amount of work and perseverance on the part of our young people," said Dr. Bruce Montgomery, of Medina, troop committee chairman for Troop 600. Only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earn Eagle Scout rank.

Eleven could be a record for the most ever at one time in Washington state. Even officials of the Boy Scouts of America's Chief Seattle Council go along with that.

"We do believe that the 11 Scouts receiving the award is a record for one troop, at one time, in the Chief Seattle Council," said Scott Findlay, director of support services for the council, which covers the Greater Puget Sound area, including Kitsap County.

On Saturday, Boy Scout Troop 1566 on Bainbridge Island will hold a similar Court of Honor to recognize eight troop members who've recently passed the requirements for an Eagle Scout pin.

To earn Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. Some specific skills are requirements; others are optional. A Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges.

In the first five months this year, 178 young Scouts from 427 troops in the Chief Seattle Council received their Eagle Scout pins and certificates, said Brad Allen, council executive.

Last year, the council had 403 new Eagle Scouts, and Allen speculated there could be more than 16,000 active and former Boy Scouts in the Northwest who've earned their Eagle Scout pins.

Last Thursday, the Chief Seattle Council honored all area Eagle Scouts at a special ceremony at the Museum of Flight.

Besides Troop 600's record crop of Eagles, the troop last night celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Charles E. Brown: 206-464-2206 or cbrown@seattletimes.com