On Oct. 8, an Eagle Court of Honor was held to celebrate the accomplishments of Gavin Dinges, son of Garrett & Amy Dinges, Merrill.
Gavin has been involved in scouting since he was in the first grade, as a Tiger Scout, when he joined Pack 599 out of St. John Lutheran Church. As a cub scout he participated in the Pine Wood Derby and Buckboard Skills Day. On Feb. 16, 2014, Gavin earned the Arrow of Light, the highest achievement in cub scouts and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 599. In June of 2014 Gavin attended Troop 599 high adventure trip to the Grand Canyon.
On July 29, 2015, Gavin was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and confirmed his membership into the Brotherhood on July 28, 2016. Gavin completed National Youth Leadership Training in June of 2016 and earned his National Leadership pin in the fall of 2016. Gavin has served Troop 599 in the following leadership positions: Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Assistant Patrol Leader, Order of the Arrow Representative; and currently serves as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (second term), Order of the Arrow Northwoods Chapter Chief (second term) and OA Merchandise Chairman for Section C1-B.
For Gavin’s Eagle Project, he installed a bike repair station at the head of the River Bend Trail for The Friends of the River Bend Trail. Gavin designed the plan and researched different manufacturers of bike repair stations. On May 21, 2017, with the help of his mentor Delmer Polak and scout members of Troop 599, excavated and constructed a concrete slab and then on May 24, returned to affix the bike repair station to its permanent spot.
In July 2017, Gavin attended the National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Beckley, West Virginia.
Gavin is a member of St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ. He is a freshman at Merrill High School, where he is involved in football, basketball and band.
Gavin earned the rank of Eagle Scout on July 6, 2017. He has earned 27 merit badges.