A Mayville-area youth has joined the rank of Eagle Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America.

Benjamin R. Carlson was awarded his Eagle Rank on April 29. He’s been involved in scouting since first grade, where he started his career as a Cub Scout. As he progressed through the various dens, he earned belt loops and won a number of awards – including the title of Pinewood Derby grand champion. After finishing Cub Scouts, Benjamin moved to the Boy Scouts, where he completed many ranks, went through a Board of Review in January and was awarded his Eagle Scout rank.

During his time as a Boy Scout, Ben has completed 106 merit badges, many more than the 21 required for the Eagle Scout rank. Ben attended many weekly troop meetings, monthly campouts, summer camps and camporees. He has been inducted into the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s honor society, and in 2023 he was chosen to attend the National Jamboree. The National Jamboree occurs once every four years and is located in West Virginia. At the Jamboree, Ben and more than 20,000 scouts did high adventure activities including rock-climbing, white-water rafting, swimming, BMX biking and zip lines.

One requirement before applying for the Eagle rank, Ben had to complete a service project. Ben chose to build a bike repair station on the bike trail outside Lakeside Park in Mayville, to the left side of Barney’s Ice cream shop. Those in Mayville can see the bright red post, which is his project. Bicyclists can take a break by relaxing on one of two hand-built benches or they can hang their bike on the metal repair station, where there are a number of tools inside to repair anything broken.

Ben has said he plans on continuing his time in scouting helping the younger scouts work their way through their experience.