Anthony Mills of Troop 95 achieves Eagle Scout rank

Boy Scout Troop 95 member Anthony D. Mills passed his Eagle Board of Review April 18. His project was to redesign/rebuild/renovate the kayak rack at Camp Barnes, a youth camp owned and operated by the Delaware State Police. Parts of the kayak rack were in desperate need of replacement and repair. Once the project was completed, it was painted in the Delaware State Police colors of blue and gold to match the rest of the buildings at Camp Barnes.

Mills was recognized July 16 at his Eagle ceremony for his accomplishments as a scout and completion of his project. 

His ceremony, held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Georgetown, began with the invocation being presented by Harry Hudson, Troop 95 Life Scout and former senior patrol leader. Scoutmaster Ben Ables was the MC and introduced one of Anthony’s best friends, Dante Tapia, as the key speaker. Following Tapia’s speech, the Trail to Eagle Ceremony was presented. Tapia, a Troop 95 Eagle Scout from the Class of 2022, was called back to the podium to present the Eagle Challenge. He was followed by Nathanial Abbott, Troop 95 Eagle Scout Class of 2020, who presented the Eagle Scout Oath. Mills is the 98th Eagle Scout for Troop 95.

Following the presentations of the Eagle badge, neckerchief, Eagle cords worn at graduation, father’s tie tack, and mother’s pin along with a dozen red roses, Mills was presented with the Eagle certificate from the National Boy Scout Office and the Eagle Plaque from Troop 95. His name has been added to both the Eagle Plaque that hangs in the hallway at Wesley United Methodist Church and the Eagle banner.

Once all the presentations were done, the podium was turned over to Mills for his reflections. He presented the mentor pin to his father, Ron Mills, for his continued support and always being there for him. Following his speech, it was time for fellowship and refreshments.

Mills earned 38 merit badges during his time in Troop 95. He held several positions of responsibility from patrol leader to historian, assistant senior patrol leader to junior assistant scoutmaster. He camped every month with the troop and attended summer camp every year at Camp Horseshoe. In June 2021, he participated in the high adventure canoe trek where he, along with 10 other scouts and two leaders, canoed 120 miles of the Au Sable River in northern Michigan, starting at Grayling and ending at Lake Huron. In June 2022, Mills took on another challenge and, along with 11 other scouts and four leaders, backpacked a 50-mile section of the Appalachian Trail. He has some great stories to tell about the rain and the blisters on his feet.

Mills graduated from Sussex Central High School in June and is currently attending Temple University in Philadelphia, where he is a computer science major and a member of the band.

The troop extends congratulations to Mills on all of his accomplishments and wishes him the best of luck in college.