Krueger earns Eagle Scout honors

A Stanton youth and member of Red Oak Scout Troop 86 has recently earned a rare honor.
Jackson Krueger earned his Eagle Scout rank in February of this year. Krueger said he joined the scouts when he was in the first grade in 2013
It’s been almost 12 years now. I’ve been to summer camp near Cedar Bluff off and on for five years. I haven’t gone with the Red Oak Troop, but I have gone multiple times and done a lot of scouting activities,” Krueger said.
Krueger said his father really helped him get involved in scouting, taking him to the first meeting he was eligible for.
“At the time I joined the scouts, the earliest you could attend was in the first grade. A few years ago, they brought back an older rank called Lions, so kindergarteners can participate, but when I joined, it was first grade until you were 18 that you could participate in scouting. My dad regrets not being a scout. He did Civil Air Patrol, which is sort of the Scouts of the Air Force. It’s an auxiliary part of the air force that trains young people in a military mindset. While he did that, he wishes he would have done scouting due to the opportunities you get from scouting, but he got me into scouting and I’m happy he did. I’ve gone very far from that point,” explained Krueger.
Krueger reached the rank of Scout in 2018, Tenderfoot in 2019, Second Class in 2020, First Class and Star rank in 2022, Life rank in 2023, and now has his Eagle status. It was actually the idea for an Eagle project that gave him the push to seek the designation.
“I was struggling to figure out an Eagle Scout project, and I had merit badges to finish so I didn’t know if I could do it. We were on vacation and were hiking in Arizona, and there was a bike repair station at the end of the parking lot. It drew my attention. I was thinking of the Wabash Bike Trail, and I felt there was a spot that they don’t have one, or had a spot where they would like to have one, and they did.”
After they returned from their trip, Krueger’s father talked with members of the Wabash group who were willing to hear a presentation from Krueger at their Sept. 18, 2023, board meeting. The group heard the presentation and gave their approval for the project and urged Krueger to proceed.
“They were so enthusiastic that when I got done with it, they wanted to know where we got the kits that we used. The kit can be attached to most surfaces, and we attached it by a board to two posts, and there are arms on the posts so the bike can be hung off the ground. There are hanging tools that are easily replaceable if they’re broken or stolen,” said Krueger. “We finished the project on Nov. 5 of 2023, and it was a nice day. We had some cyclists who came by and posed for pictures and put their bikes on it. The initial figuring out of the project allowed me to get the encouragement I needed to complete the process to become an Eagle Scout.”
During that time period, Krueger said he was able to finish up the last bit of paperwork and get his last remaining merit badges and turned in the documentation for review to the Eagle Scout Board a little more than a week before he turned 18. Krueger said as part of the process, he met with the Eagle Board of Review on Feb. 18 in Council Bluffs.
“The board questions you about all that you’ve done and asks questions you have to put answers to. It was about a 45-minute review. Between each rank, we have a board of review. With all the other ranks, the review was around 10 minutes but this one was 45. There are a lot more questions and a lot more in-depth answers needed,” advised Krueger. “The best way to put it is that you share experiences from the whole time you’ve been a scout, as well as sharing your experiences [in becoming an Eagle Scout]. The amount of time you’ve spent in scouting gives you the best chance to answer questions. They want to know about your experience and all of your time. They don’t want you to rush through the interview. I went up with my dad, but during the review, I could only have a scoutmaster in with me, and the rest was made up of the review board.”
While the earliest age to achieve the Eagle Scout rank is 14, Krueger said being 18 when he received the designation allowed him to get a lot more responsibility and experience.
“I feel like you can enjoy the Eagle Scout designation as an older scout versus being a younger scout. I enjoy the leadership aspect. The leadership scouting has taught me has really been a big help.”
While scouts have three attempts to meet with the Eagle Scout Board for review, Krueger was granted the rank after his first try, which he was grateful for.
“I knew if I didn’t reach the goal the first time, I was going to have to wait another month almost before I got another try, which also would have affected the planning time when I had my Eagle Court of Honor ceremony, which took place the weekend before Memorial Day of this year at the Elks Lodge in Red Oak,” commented Krueger.
Krueger felt all of his years of experience really aided him in his questioning before the review board.
“I was able to answer questions thoroughly and with a lot of details versus maybe someone who’s only been doing scouting since they were in middle school or so. That time really makes a difference. I’ve really enjoyed all the time I’ve had in scouts as well,” Krueger stated.
Thankfully, after meeting with the board, Krueger said it wasn’t a long wait to find out he’d gotten the honor.
“It was only a few minutes actually. They talked for a few minutes afterwards about how I answered the questions, and then I found out that I got it,” said Krueger.
After receiving the answer, Krueger was relieved the pressure was off and he was ecstatic because of the news.
Krueger said he’s pleased he was able to go through the process and achieve the designation.
“I’m not only pleased to receive the prestigious award, I’m pleased with all the help I received on the way. I hear from a lot of people how much this will do for me down the road, and that’s very good to hear. I chose to finish something that will definitely help me in the long run.”
Krueger is studying to become an electrician, and believes the Eagle Scout designation will definitely help in the long run. He hopes to work in the southwest Iowa area.
“It all depends on who I get contracted with. I would definitely like to stay in the Southwest Iowa or Omaha area, as this is where most of my family lives,” Krueger stated.
Krueger said if anyone is on the fence about joining the scouts, they should join it for at least a year and try it out.
“Stick with it. Don’t miss meetings on purpose. You meet a lot of new people at summer camps and other events. Don’t throw the chance away to achieve greatness. There’s greatness that can be achieved. If you’re considering it, just go for it,” commented Krueger. It’s a very nice learning experience and a great way to become a responsible person. As a younger scout, you can learn a lot from working with an older scout. The latest you can consider becoming a scout is your freshman year to allow yourself time to get all of your merit badges. I encourage everyone not to throw the opportunity away. Don’t underestimate what you can do. And when you get in to scouting, take your time with it and don’t rush it. Get the experience. If you get before an Eagle Scout Board, when you’re asked what your favorite experience from camp was, they enjoy it when it’s hard for you to choose. It shows that you’ve [had] enjoyment and spent a lot of time in it.”