EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Atlantic Christian Boy Scout Troop 389 announced Cameron Taylor Riordan of Egg Harbor Township has recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Dignitaries, family members, friends, fellow Scouts, and Scout leaders gathered Nov. 23, 2024 for his Eagle Scout Court of Honor at Atlantic Christian School, which is the troop’s charter organization.
For his Eagle Scout project, Riordan chose to support the osprey restoration efforts of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey by building five osprey nesting platforms and five nest boxes.
On Oct. 23, he worked with a team from the foundation to install one of the five nest platforms near Ninth Street in Ocean City.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew was one of the featured dignitaries at the Court of Honor and upon his return to Washington, D.C., delivered remarks on Dec. 12 for the Congressional Record congratulating Riordan on his achievement.
“I cannot express enough how proud I am of Cameron and all he has accomplished,” Van Drew said. “His journey to Eagle is a true testament to his dedication, his leadership, and his commitment to making a positive impact on the entire world around him.”
Other dignitaries who spoke and made special presentations at the Court of Honor included Assemblyman Don Guardian, Atlantic County At-Large Commissioner John Risley, Jr., Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Frederick Spano, Scout Executive James Gillick, Jessica Weisman of the local FBI office, Charlie Morgan of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Greg DePiano, president of the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program.
Riordan, 18, will graduate from Egg Harbor Township High School in June 2025, and is a boys varsity crew coxswain. For many years, he has volunteered with the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program. He plans to pursue a career as a diesel mechanic.
To carry out his Eagle Scout project, Riordan spent some 35 hours in planning and then led a team of 11 Scouts and five adult volunteers last fall in constructing the five three-foot by three-foot osprey nesting platforms and five nest boxes atop 16-foot pressure-treated wood posts.
Several area businesses donated wood and other construction materials for the project – Home Depot and Lowe’s in Egg Harbor Township and Somers Point Lumber.
Over the course of his Scouting career that began in 2013, Riordan earned 27 Merit Badges and was awarded the Bronze Eagle Palm Pin for earning five additional merit badges beyond the 21 required for the Eagle Scout rank. He also received the Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 2021. Riordan held several leadership positions in the troop including quartermaster, assistant patrol leader and patrol leader.
“Cameron was driven to excellence throughout his Scouting career and developed strong leadership skills that will serve him well throughout his life,” Troop 389 Scoutmaster Mike Jorgenson said. “We’re very proud of his accomplishment as he becomes the 22nd Scout with Troop 389 that has earned the rank of Eagle Scout since the troop was formed in 2005.”