Rajah News - October 2020

AN EAGLE FLIES
OVER RAJAH
AN ASPIRING EAGLE SCOUT
PARTNERS WITH SHRINERS
By Sam Ellis
Dylan Confer has been in scouting since grade school. He is now a senior at
Parkland H.S. He is a member of Troop 1600, Jordan UCC, Allentown.
During his last year in school, Dylan is working towards the highest rank a scout
can achieve, that of an Eagle Scout. Becoming an Eagle Scout takes perseverance
and work. Boy Scouts must earn all the ranks in order. Among the seven steps in
attaining the Eagle Scout badge, Dylan has earned the required 21 merit badges,
and he has served in leadership positions for at least 6 months, having managed
Cub Scout Dens as an example. One of the most difficult requirements is to
propose, plan, and carry out an Eagle Service project. The project must benefit
the organization that it is done for.
That service project was how Dylan came to be involved with Rajah Shrine.
Dylan was aware of the Shriners and the work they do supporting the Children’s Hospitals. He also is friends with Wayne Grumbein’s
son Jarrett Nguyen, so he was aware of a lot of Shrine activities that Jarrett’s dad was involved in.
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Life Scout Dylan Confer
Dylan decided that he would like to do his service project for the Shriners.
“I thought it would be a neat thing to help out,” he said, “since they do
so much for children and it’s all on a volunteer basis.” Eventually the
relationship with the Grumbein’s led to John Grumbein, Wayne’s father,
helping make the connection with Rajah.
A meeting was held at the complex where Dylan, his mother April,
and father Douglas met with the Board of Directors. Dylan explained that
one of the requirements of attaining his Eagle Scout rank was managing
a volunteer service project. His request was met with knowing smiles as
several Rajah Shriners are Eagles Scouts and have gone through the long
process in attaining their Eagle Scout badges themselves.
The outcome of the meeting was a plan that included refurbishing one
of the buildings at the complex. Les worked with Dylan on the details and,
within a few days, the project came to life.
Dylan managed a team of up to 9 scouts, his scout master, his younger
brother, and a few Shriners such as Bruce Denlinger and Les Werley. They
did power washing and painting of the residence building.
Les Werley commented that “Dylan did an admiralable job in managing this diverse group
of workers and, in doing so, he gained valuable experience.” The experience will stand him
well in his journey to becoming at Eagle Scout.
The requirements are difficult and only about 6.5% of all eligible Boy Scouts earn their
Eagle rank.
Since it takes so much work, why do boys do it? Some are mature enough to understand
the impact that having the award will have on their lives. Others are encouraged by their
Scoutmasters and by their parents. Dylan’s parents are involved in his scouting. His mother
April is on committee with Troop 1600, Minsi Trail Council, North Valley District.
Scouting and Masonry share common values. And well they should because The Boy Scouts
of America was founded in 1910 by Masonic Brothers Daniel Carter Beard, William D. Boyce,
and James E. West, along with Mr. Ernest Seton. These founding fathers succeeded in creating one