Byram scout attains Eagle status

NETCONG — Nathaniel “Nate” Gile of Troop 276, Byram Township, was formally advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held recently at Grace Church on the Mount in Netcong. His accomplishment was the culmination of many years of scouting work and commitment and he was honored with presentations from Mayor Alex Rubenstein on behalf of Byram Township, Chief John Cubberly of Lakeland Emergency Squad the troop’s chartering organization, Freehold Sylvia Petillo representing Sussex County, and Mark Spaldo representing the Patriots Path Council of Boy Scouts of America.
Nate also received numerous certificates and letters of commendation from state Sen. Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) and our Assembly representatives, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ11) and SUssex County Sheriff Michael Strada, among others. Troop 276 presented Nate with a flag that had been flown over the United States Capitol on September 11, 2017.
Nate joined Pack 276 in 2006 and worked his way through the ranks until he achieved Webelos and Arrow of Light. In 2010 he crossed over to Troop 276 and attended his first summer camp at Camp Minsi in the Poconos. He also attended summer camps at Camp Tuckahoe and Camp Somers. The summer camps gave him the opportunity to earn many of his merit badges.
Nate says that he slowed down in scouting but rededicated himself when his brother joined the troop in 2013. He moved up in leadership responsibilities to Senior Patrol Leader and enjoyed his first trip in that role when the troop went to Sterling Hill Mine. He attended two summer camps that year. One was at Camp Minsi and the other at Camp Somers where he was a guide for a scout with autism. That is one of his fondest memories and led to him becoming an honorary staff member. In 2014 he returned to Camp Somers to help his autistic friend and was rewarded with two more weeks to work on merit badges. Those opportunities and Nate’s initiative helped him to earn thirty-nine merit badges on his Trail to Eagle. Only twenty-one are required to attain Eagle Scout. In addition to his numerous merit badges Nate also was elected into the Order of the Arrow, became trained in BSA Snorkeling and earned the Historic Trails Award.
One of the most difficult requirements for Eagle is completing a noteworthy project that involves planning, organization and leadership. Nate had become a volunteer at the Equine Tranquility Wellness Center in Andover. It specializes in therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities. Nate learned that they needed a “Run-In Shed” to protect the animals during inclement weather and he realized it was the perfect project for him. With the help of staff members, members of Troop 276 and the Architecture Shop at Sussex Tech he began the project in mid-2016 and completed it in early 2017. He passed his Eagle Board of Review in April 2017 and officially became an Eagle Scout.
In addition to his achievements in scouting, Nate was accepted into the Sussex County Charter School for Technology for grades six through eight. Subsequently he attended Sussex County Technical School where his studies were concentrated on the E-Commerce program (formerly the Information Technology program). He performed so well that he was accepted into the NJ Stars scholarship program and is currently attending Sussex County Community College majoring in Math/Science with an Information Systems option. He also works at the Byram ShopRite to help cover the balance of his education costs.
Troop 276 is very proud to welcome Nate as its fifty-first Eagle Scout.