Bluffton Boy Scout Troop 256 held its most recent Court of Honor in the town hall on Aug. 28. Three scouts advanced in rank and 17 scouts received merit badges for their recent work and awards were presented from summer camp, according to Darrell Groman, assistant scoutmaster.

Scouts advancing in rank were: Scout Joseph Schumacher, First Class Scout Brice Metzger and Star Scout Misha Groman. Eagle Scout Taylor Steele was awarded his Bronze and Gold Eagle Palms for earning 10 merit badges beyond the original 21 merit badges required for his Eagle Award.

Seventeen scouts received a total of 81 merit badges:

Jacob Barnett: Climbing, Communications, Lifesaving, Oceanography and Wilderness Survival.

Clay Burkholder: Fish & Wildlife Management, Leatherwork, Mammal Study, Oceanography and Space Exploration.

Jeremiah Garmatter: Archery, Canoeing, Fly Fishing, Photography and Rifle Shooting.

Christian Groman: Geology, Space Exploration, Sports and Swimming.

Misha Groman: Communications, Environmental Science, First Aid, Geology, Lifesaving and Sports.

Austen Herron: Canoeing, Fishing, Mammal Study, Space Exploration and Swimming.

Tyler King: Climbing, Emergency Preparedness, Lifesaving and Wilderness Survival.

Carrick Lancaster: Art, Citizenship in the Community, Home Repairs, Nature, Rifle Shooting, Space Exploration, Weather and Wilderness Survival.

Nick Luke: Art, Aviation, Computers and Rifle Shooting.

Casey McGuire: Geology, Space Exploration and Swimming.

Brice Metzger: Archery, Communications, Environmental Science, First Aid, Oceanography and Robotics.

Jared Metzger: Computers, Lifesaving, Oceanography, Photography, Robotics, Shotgun Shooting and Space Exploration.

Jonatan Moser: Environmental Science and Fingerprinting.

Kaden Reneker: Art and Mammal Study.

Joseph Schumacher: Archery, First Aid and Swimming.

T.J. Washer: Canoeing, Horsemanship and Rifle Shooting.

Roger Zeits: Art, Aviation, Climbing, Computers, Pioneering, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting and Wilderness Survival.

Scoutmaster Mike Metzger gave a recap of scout summer camp at Camp Berry. Fifteen scouts and six leaders participated with the troop's annual scout summer camp at Camp Berry during the week of July 3 to 9.

Those scouts attending during the week were: Jacob Barnett, Clay Burkholder, Jeremiah Garmatter, Christian Groman, Senior Patrol Leader Misha Groman, Austen Herron, Tyler King, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Carrick Lancaster, Casey McGuire, Brice Metzger, Jared Metzger, Kaden Reneker, Joseph Schumacher, T.J. Washer and Roger Zeits.

Leaders accompanying the troop were Scoutmaster Mike Metzger, Assistant Scoutmasters Jeff Burkholder, Darrell Groman, Clair Zeits, Victoria Zeits and Unit Commissioner Eric Reneker.

Three scouts earned their Chaplain's Award: Clay Burkholder, Christian Groman and Kaden Reneker. Four scouts earned their Baden Powell Award as first-year campers: Christian Groman, Casey McGuire, Kaden Reneker and Joseph Schumacher.

Two scouts and two leaders completed the Mile Swim: scouts Christian Groman and Misha Groman. Leaders Darrell Groman and Mike Metzger. Misha Groman was recognized for completing the Mile Swim on five separate occasions: Monday through Friday.

The Bluffton troop was recognized for receiving Camp Berry's Baden Powell Honor Unit Award. The troop took First Place in the camp's Entrance Gateway competition for pioneering rope lashwork. The troop also gained Third Place in the Trebuchet (water balloon catapult) completion.

There are currently 22 boys in the troop. The troop has a number of events planned for the next several weeks. Ten scouts will be working on their Aviation merit badge at Don Scott Field, the Ohio State University Airport in Columbus on Sept. 17.

Several scouts will be wearing Indian costumes, made for the town's summertime Sesquicentennial event, at the Swiss Homestead's Indian Village during Bluffton's Fall Festival on Sept. 24. The scouts will be assisting at Camp Berry's Trailblazer event on Oct. 1 and will be camping at the Great Oaks District Fall Camporee on the weekend of Oct. 7-9.

The Bluffton scouts continue the tradition of raising the flag during the National Anthem at Harmon Field before all home Bluffton High school football games.

Boys who are 11 to18 years old or enrolled in junior or senior high School are welcome to join the boy scouts. Contact Scoutmaster Mike Metzger or any other scout leader for more information about joining the troop.