When Scott Huber received his Eagle Scout rank on May 15, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather continuing a tradition that has been with the family since the 1940s.
Scott’s grandfather, Dr. Henry A. Huber, a 1946 Clarkston High School graduate, was the first Eagle Scout from a Clarkston troop. ‘Hank? Huber explained how his small troop would meet in the high school gym in 1941.
‘The troop didn’t have many scouts that had attained any rank. I think the highest ranking scout was a Second Class and he had earned that with some other troop and then moved to Clarkston,? Hank Huber said.
Hank Huber credited improved leadership and the growing competitive nature among the members as to why the troop flourished.
‘We had a starting fire with matches contest which developed some interest and then we started doing projects too, like collecting papers during World War II,? Hank Huber said.
‘When I left in 1946 for the University of Michigan, there were two or three other Eagle Scouts,? Hank Huber continued.
David Huber, Hank’s son, participated in scouting when his family lived in Lansing. He earned his Eagle Scout ranking by completing his service project, which resulted in putting a hiking trail through a wilderness area. For his project, David worked alone and spent around 40 to 50 hours on the trail.
For his project, Scott completed landscaping at the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church. The project involved working with a group, a change from requirements his father had to follow.
‘There was 180 hours of planning in my project and nine hours of actual working time,? Scott said.
Hank Huber did not have to complete an Eagle Service project like his son and grandson, and commented on some of the changes over the years.
‘Scouting had more of a regimented military aspect to it than it does now. There seems to be a lot more activities and travel now, a whole new realm but the basic concepts are the same,? Hank Huber said.
Hank Huber also discussed how World War II had quite an impact on scouting, like gas rationing that affected how the troop could operate.
All three Huber men discussed the value system of scouting as being the major influence behind their family.
‘Scouting’s a good chance for you to grow,? David said. ‘Values in scouting are things we value as a family too.?
‘Growing up is part of it. Also, it’s finding a spot you can go that’s safe, like a second family.? Scott added.
The three Hubers had many stories from scouting that reflect the different eras, but similar influences and fondness for those times.
‘Our scoutmaster owned a chicken farm, so we had chicken dinners for our banquets. We had to kill the chickens in order to get the chicken,? Hank Huber laughed.
David remembered trips where his troop went camping in the winter to learn how to survive in the extreme temperatures.
‘I still remember to this day, it was a record 28 below and I didn’t stay warm,? David laughed. ‘We toughed it out.?
The Hubers carry their adventures and learned values with them. The scouting experience continues on as they all appreciate what scouting has brought to their lives.