Our Student Intern, Jonathan Klinker, makes the news! We are all so very proud of him!
Reprint from (WJAR, NBC 10) — 18-year old, Jonathan Klinker has earned 141 merit badges during his time with the Boy Scouts.
“I’m about one of 5 in the nation or so that has earned 141 and one in scouting history that have earned all the merit badges,” said Klinker.
Klinker has mastered many skills and many consider him a jack of all trades including woodcarving, canoeing, swimming and emergency preparedness.
What makes Klinker’s accomplishment so rare is that one only needs 21 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout. In fact, there are only 137 badges available right now.
Other badges available include water sports and even nuclear science.
The teen has also raised thousands of dollars for St. Christopher’s Church in Tiverton and remolded a half century old bathroom, all by himself.
Although he’s proud of his accomplishments, Klinker says it has a greater meaning.
“It’s sort of about giving back to the community and making the world a better place,” said Klinker.
The Eagle Scout will be heading off to college and hopes other young scouts will follow in his footsteps and become a leader.