Summer Court of Honor: Rank Advancements, 72 merit badges, and the year ahead

On August 23rd, Troop 478 gathered at the Spring Branch Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall for the Summer Court of Honor. The event was emceed by Star Scout Julian Stamm and saw ten rank advancements and seventy-two merit badges awarded, the welcoming of a new Scouting Family to the troop and official release of the 2026-2027 program calendar.

Welcome, Matthew Hogg

Before the awards, the troop took a moment to welcome its newest member, Matthew Hogg. Every Court of Honor is a recognition of where Scouts have been. A new Scout joining is a reminder of where the program is going. Welcome to Troop 478, Matthew.

Rank advancements

Ten Scouts earned rank advancements at the August Court of Honor, spanning Scout through Life.

Rank	Scout
Life	Cason Guice
Star	Luke Frisby, Julian Stamm
Second Class	Dane Gant, Jaxson Turner
Scout	Alex Briggs, Grayson Brooks, Jonathan Chan, Liam Tinder, Jackson Watkin

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72 merit badges awarded

The bulk of this summer's merit badge work was earned at Camp Alexander in Colorado, with additional badges completed independently before and after camp. In total, nineteen Scouts were recognized with a total of 72 merit badges.

Scout	Merit Badges
Alex Briggs	First Aid, Kayaking, Leatherwork, Model Design and Building, Pottery, Weather
Alex Chase	First Aid, Leatherwork
Cason Guice	Aviation, Wood Carving
Dane Gant	Climbing, First Aid, Shotgun Shooting
Daniel Frisby	Environmental Science, First Aid, Geology, Nature
Elijah Singer	Aviation, Environmental Science, Leatherwork, Wood Carving
Elliot Amacker	Aviation, Environmental Science, Rifle Shooting
Gavin Hammond	Art, Climbing, Forestry, Wood Carving
James Dupré	Aviation, Canoeing, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science
Jaxson Turner	Communication, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, First Aid, Geology, Nature, Photography, Wood Carving
Jonathan Chan	Electricity, Engineering, Nuclear Science
Joshua King	Archery, Photography
Julian Stamm	Archery, Leatherwork
Liam Tinder	Environmental Science, First Aid, Rifle Shooting
Luke Frisby	Aviation, Environmental Science, First Aid
Mark Griffiths	Environmental Science, First Aid, Kayaking
Noah Kiger	Archery, Canoeing, Lifesaving, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting
Paul Dupré	Astronomy, Aviation, Environmental Science, Forestry, Pioneering, Wood Carving
Ryan Young	Communication, Mammal Study, Welding

Special Recognition

Summer camp produces two kinds of recognition: the formal kind, earned through Scouting America's program, and the kind a troop creates for itself to honor the moments that don't fit neatly on a merit badge. The August Court of Honor had both.

Recognition	Details
Whitewater Rafting Activity Patch	Fifteen Scouts earned the whitewater rafting activity patch for the Browns Canyon rafting excursion during the Camp Alexander trip. One boat flipped. Fifteen patches were earned. No regrets.
Blue Mountain Hike Activity Patch	Awarded to Scouts and adults who completed the 2 a.m. sunrise hike up Blue Mountain, 9,230 feet, in Eleven Mile Canyon, Colorado. Out of the entire camp population, this was a small and committed group. Youth: Daniel Frisby, Luke Frisby, Joshua King, Julian Stamm, Liam Tinder, Jaxson Turner Adults: Jony Hammond, Mike Singer, James Ward
Rookie Summer Camper of the Year	Scout Liam Tinder was recognized with the troop's inaugural Rookie Summer Camper of the Year award. Liam earned his Scout rank, completed merit badges, hiked Blue Mountain at 2 a.m., and showed up to every part of camp with the kind of energy that makes the whole experience better for everyone around him. A well-earned recognition.

Camp Alexander Spirit Awards
Award	Recipient
Formula 1 Pit Crew Award	Scoutmaster Bryan Stamm and ASM Jony Hammond, recognized with a pair of pit crew gloves for their impressively quick tire change on the highway shoulder on the drive home from camp. Some NASCAR crews would be jealous.
Elevation Award	Committee Member Mike Singer, recognized for logging the most hikes at elevation during the camp week. The mountains called. He answered every time.
Accidental Submarine Award	Scout Gavin Hammond, recognized for his extended time underwater following the Browns Canyon raft flip. Head up, toes up -- eventually.
Supreme Leader of Chaos	ASM Keith Young, recognized for his coordination of the summer camp experience from start to finish. Every great week of camp has someone making sure the chaos stays organized. That was Keith.

What a Court of Honor is, and why it matters

Scouting America designates the Court of Honor as the formal ceremony through which a troop publicly recognizes the achievements of its Scouts. The Guide to Advancement is clear that recognition is not optional. It is a core part of how the program develops young people. When a Scout's accomplishment is witnessed by family, fellow Scouts, and community, the achievement becomes real in a way that a quiet handshake cannot replicate.

The August Court of Honor carries particular weight because it closes the summer program and opens the troop year simultaneously. The Scouts recognized here did their work at 8,600 feet in Colorado, on whitewater in Browns Canyon, and on a mountainside at 2 a.m. That is not a figure of speech. The Court of Honor is where the troop stops to say so out loud, in front of the people who matter most.

2026-2027 Scouting Year Event Calendar

The Patrol Leadership Council (PLC) proudly presents the program year for Troop 478.

Sep 18-20

Full Throttle at Camp Strake

Oct 24-25

Huntsville State Park

Nov 14-15

Brazos Bend State Park

Dec 5-6

Lake Somerville State Park

Jan 16-18

LBJ and Enchanted Rock State Park

Feb 5-7

Guice Ranch

Mar 20

San Jacinto Monument Day Trip

Apr 9-11

Mustang District Camporee at Tellepsen

May 1-2

Bonetti Ranch

Early Jun

Summer Camp, Eastern USA

Location TBD

Early Jul

High Adventure: Philmont Scout Ranch

Cimarron, New Mexico

The official Troop 478 calendar, including meeting schedules and event details, is maintained in the member area. Dates are subject to change.

Congratulations to all

To every Scout recognized on August 23rd, and to the families who made it possible: well done. The year ahead starts now. Full Throttle at Camp Strake is September 18th. The troop is ready.