Spotlight on Scouting: The Sanford Family
The Sanfords now have six Eagle Scouts in the family. Joseph Sanford recently became an Eagle Scout, joining his dad, Bob, and his four older brothers: Nick, Matt, Tom, and Bryce.
Scouting has been a part of Bob Sanford’s life for over 40 years. Bob became an Eagle Scout when he was 17 years old living in Spring Valley, Minnesota. During his twenties, he continued to participate in scouting as a Boy Scout leader, in Spring Valley, MN. Bob and Debbie’s first son, Nick, joined Tiger Scouts in Spring Valley and then joined Pack 48 shortly after the family moved to New Hampton in 1994. For the past 19 years, Bob and his wife, Debbie, have been volunteering for New Hampton Pack 48 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Bob has acted as Assistant Cub Scout leader and Cub Scout leader for many years. He has taken Scouts on several trips, including two recent trips to the Boundary Waters and South Dakota. Debbie has served as a den leader, Cub Scout treasurer, and merit badge counselor. Bob and Debbie have both volunteered at Davis Rally with their son’s for the past 15 years.
Nick became an Eagle Scout in 2003 upon completing his Eagle Scout Project of landscaping and adding grass landing areas to the park campground. Matt became an Eagle Scout in 2009 after building the dugouts at the Ionia softball field. Tom also became an Eagle Scout in 2009 after landscaping and adding a gate for the flag patrol at the New Hampton High School Football field. Bryce became an Eagle Scout in 2011. His project included landscaping and painting the horseshoe pits at Mikkelson Park. Joey just became an Eagle Scout this August of 2013, and his project included landscaping and repairing cement at St. John’s School of Religion.
The Sanford’s believe Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are great organizations in this community. They would like to thank all of the many volunteers who continue to lead Pack 48 and Troop 48. Becoming an Eagle Scout is not an easy award to obtain and Bob and Debbie believe that it is an honor that all five of their children have been able to achieve Eagle Scout. The Eagle Scout charge is to live with honor, which is the foundation of good character. An Eagle Scout is loyal, as without loyalty character lacks direction. An Eagle Scout is courageous as courage gives all character force and strength. An Eagle Scout is charged to make a habit of a daily “Good turn” and to lead a life of service.
