[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 155 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1511-E1512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING CHRIS MAPLES FOR EARNING THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA'S WOOD 
                                 BADGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2015

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a special individual, 
and a member of my staff, Chris Maples, for earning the Boy Scouts 
Leader Wood Badge on October 15, 2015. Chris has worked extremely hard 
on his Wood Badge recognition, and is finally being rewarded for his 
efforts and the impact those efforts have had on the Scouts under his 
leadership. Chris has spent eight years with Troop 527 of Richmond 
County, North Carolina, and has spent the last four years as the 
group's Scout Master.
   The Wood Badge, which is the highest level of adult Scout training 
available through the Boy Scouts of America, is an advanced-learning 
and team-building training series that gives Scout Leaders the 
opportunity to better understand the purpose and goals of the Scouting

[[Page E1512]]

program, as well as strengthen their long-term commitment to Scouting 
and provide them with valuable leadership skills. In order to earn the 
Wood Badge, the Scout Leader must go through the Wood Badge course, in 
which the Scout Leader must complete two separate phases: the practical 
phase and the application phase. During the practical phase, the Scout 
Leader will spend two weekends at camp with a group of fellow Scout 
Leaders, learning how to better lead their troop with a hands-on camp 
experience. Also during the practical phase, the Scout Leader will 
develop what is called a ``Ticket,'' which is a set of five tasks or 
goals developed to strengthen and improve their troop. After completing 
the practical phase and developing their ticket, the Scout Leader will 
move in to the application phase, in which the Scout Leader will 
complete their five tasks within eighteen months of finishing the 
practical phase.
   Chris began his Wood Badge journey in October of 2014, and finished 
his requirements in June of this year. For his ticket, Chris worked 
with his troop to allow some of the young men to become patrol leaders, 
which allowed them to take up leadership positions within the troop and 
provide these members the opportunity to gain valuable leadership 
experience. In addition, Chris recruited more members to Troop 527 and 
created a ``Scouter of the Year'' award, as well as a special summer 
camp just for his troop. Chris has worked tirelessly to improve the 
scouting experience for the members of Troop 527, and his efforts have 
certainly made a difference.
   During Chris' Wood Badge ceremony, he received the Wood Badge beads 
and regalia, as well as a certificate detailing his accomplishments. 
This is a very special ceremony that I am sure Chris will remember for 
the rest of his scouting days, and he should be extremely proud of the 
hard work it took to accomplish this feat. As a former Boy Scout, I am 
thankful Chris took the time to better himself so that he could better 
serve the members of Troop 527. I am confident they will be better off 
as a result of Chris' hard work.
   Mr. Speaker, please join me today in thanking Chris Maples for his 
service to the young men of Troop 527, and to congratulate him for 
earning the distinguished Boy Scouts of America's Wood Badge Leader 
recognition.

                          ____________________