Byram's Spaldo earns Eagle Scout rank

BYRAM — Christopher Spaldo of Troop 276, has formally advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held at Blessed Kateri Church in early July. His accomplishment was the culmination of many years of scouting work and commitment and he was honored with presentations by Assemblyman Richard Merkt and Mayor Skip Danielsen among others. Christopher’s scouting career began, almost literally, at birth. His parents were attending a Hudson Hamilton Council Camporee less than twelve hours before he was born. His father, Mark, also an Eagle Scout, has been active in scouting for many years and had Christopher with him for Cub Scout meetings in Jersey City starting when he was only a few weeks old. Christopher officially joined scouting in 1994 with Cub Pack 276. Early on he maintained that he would become an Eagle Scout like his dad. In 1999 he earned his Arrow of Light award and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 276. Christopher’s scouting career has been extremely active. He has served as a den chief for two Cub Scout dens, providing leadership and guidance to younger scouts. He work for three summers as a counselor at Camp Sabbattis in the Adirondacks. He staffed scouting’s National Youth Leadership Training courses and went to Philmont in New Mexico for junior leader training where he backpacked sixty-four miles as Crew Chief. He also attended the 2001 National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and volunteered as a security officer at the 2005 National Jamboree in Virginia. A graduating senior at Lenape Valley High School, Christopher took honors courses, participated in four years of Marching Band and Symphonic Band, and was active in mock trial, quiz bowl and tennis. He is attending Drexel University in the fall and hopes to join the Navy in the future. For more information about scouting, contact Joseph Novak 973-786-6196.