Robert Butterfield IV recently completed his Eagle Scout project by building and donating a wheelchair-accessible picnic table to Shadagee Apartments in Phillips. He had surgery on his knee and is recovering. Submitted photo

PHILLIPS —Robert Butterfield IV is 15 years old and already exhibiting leadership skills.

The sophomore at Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township has been involved in Scouts BSA since he was in the first grade and is well on his way to earning Eagle Scout status. He built and donated a wheelchair-accessible picnic table to Shadagee Apartments in Phillips for his Eagle Scout Project.

The Boy Scouts of America changed its name to Scouts BSA in 2019 when girls became eligible to join and now involves all youths 11 to 17 years old.

Butterfield, of Phillips, belongs to Scout Troop 500 in Strong. In his downtime, his hobbies are usually sports such as cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing and track.

“However, I broke my knee and had to have major surgery in June, so I am in recovery for a while,” he wrote. “My favorite subject in school is math. I like the challenge it gives.”

He recently answered some questions for the Sun Journal about his love and appreciation for scouting.

Robert Butterfield IV, right, stands in front of a tent with a fellow Scout during a summer camp in 2021 in Raymond. Butterfield is in the process of earning Eagle Scout status.

How did you get involved in BSA? My older brothers did Scouts before me, so I wanted to try it out as well. I began scouting as a Tiger Cub in first grade.

What is it you like about it? It is fun to do activities with a group. I like working through the process of earning merit badges and ranking up.

Do you have any favorite parts you like to do? I most enjoy camping. The reason is because I get to start fires, go tenting and enjoy the outdoors.

What is the most difficult badge you had to earn? Swimming merit badge was the most difficult because I had to learn how to dive.

Did you have a favorite badge to earn? I liked earning the weather badge the best because I got to meet and interview a meteorologist, Russ Murley, in person.

How close are you to earning your Eagle Scout badge? I have finished my Eagle Scout project, but still need two more merit badges, a scoutmaster conference and an Eagle board of review before I can rank up. They just added a new required badge this summer: Citizenship of Society.

Do you feel that you will be able to use the skills you have learned through BSA during the rest of your life? Yes, the safety and survival skills will be helpful. Scouts have taught me time management and organization, which will help me in any future job I attain.