As a Boy Scout, one of the proudest moments of Daniel Ditmanson’s life was his induction to the ranks of Eagle Scout. Here Daniel stands next to his father, Pastor Mark Ditmanson, while his brother Alex and mother, Janet stand at his left. Daniel has been in scouting since he was in elementary school, rising through the Cub Scout ranks and then through the Boy Scouts to obtain scouting’s highest honor.
On May 7, Cook County Boy Scout Troop 166 leader Dan Baumann presented Daniel Ditmanson with the Boy Scout’s highest honor, Eagle Scout.
Ditmanson is the fourth young man from Troop 166 to earn this award in the last five years.
Phil Solem gave some personal remarks and Zach Baumann gave Daniel the “Eagle Scout Challenge” by encouraging him to live up to the moral codes and standards learned in scouting.
Pastor Mark Ditmanson, Daniel’s father, gave the invocation. The ceremony was held at the Bethlehem Lutheran church.
To earn this highest honor, Scouts have to advance through ranks called Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. After earning enough merit badges and through demonstration of leadership skills, Boy Scouts qualify as Star Scouts, Life Scouts, and then Eagle Scouts. They also receive the Arrow of Light if they have completed all of their Cub Scout badges.
The last step to qualify for Eagle Scout consideration is to lead a project that benefits the community. Daniel’s project was the re-landscaping of the Cook County Higher Education parking lot and adjacent grounds.
Since 1911 about 1 million scouts have achieved Eagle Scout. While that seems like a lot, that represents less than 5 percent of all boys who have participated in Scouting throughout the years. Or, as Dan Baumann said, “Only four in 100 Scouts achieve Eagle Scout.”
All told, about 30 members of the community turned out to see Daniel receive his well-deserved commendation. Daniel is a senior in high school and has been attending Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts since he was a little shaver.
Baumann, also an Eagle Scout, has been active in Scouting for 43 years and has been the local Scout leader for the past 10 years.
Of Ditmanson, he said, “Two years ago Daniel came back from camp and a switch went off. It [camp] inspired him so much. Instead of seeing a wall, Daniel saw a bulls-eye to aim for. That bulls-eye was attaining his Eagle Scout rank. Daniel definitely worked hard to achieve this. He’s learned to give of himself. Not for selfrecognition, but to give as part of his Scouting ethic. He gives to the community and gives to people. When he came in he was a boy. But I have seen Daniel become a man. He’s become a fine young man. He might become a minister. I could see him doing that.”
The aim of Scouting is to help young men gain citizenship training, develop their character and work on personal fitness. Daniel has met these goals admirably and has been a positive role model for Cub Scouts and younger Scouts, said Baumann. “Anywhere Daniel goes I believe he will be a positive influence on those around him.”
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