Being a Boy Scout requires service both in the outdoors and in society itself. But what happens when the Scout cannot serve in the same capacity that mainstream troopers might?

It’s a question that Bellevue Boy Scout Troop 355 tackles every meeting.The troop, made up of Scouts with varying mental and physical disabilities, was founded 30 three years ago by Pat Kimber, who passed away last year. Members are all adults, as normal age limits have been waived for the troop.

A recent meeting started out with a round of jokes read from a joke book. The Scouts then shared notable events from their past few days.

Next, Scouts were invited to talk about previous outings and described various plans for future outings. The Boy Scout Law, Oath, and Motto were also reviewed as well as the various merit badges for which each of the Scouts was eligible.

Curt Peterson’s son, Kurt, attended a ceremony for Eagle Scouts last week, where he met such people as former Washington governor Daniel Evans and Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He was still avidly reading booklets that he had received at the ceremony.

Although Kurt will not receive his actual Eagle Scout badge until later this month, he is already thought of as an Eagle Scout by the rest of the troop.

The troop has three other active Eagle Scouts in its ranks.

The Scouts supported each other, clapping whenever a Scout spoke.

“It’s expanded his interests,” Curt said of his son’s participation in the troop. “The Boy Scouts go out on trips such as the Camperee, an outdoor experience complete with obstacle courses and activities.”

Kurt Peterson will be the third in his family to be an Eagle Scout, following his father and grandfather.

The night ended with a bit of humor, when Kurt performed a skit for the rest of the troop. After making sure each of the Scouts had a ride back home, the troop dispersed for the evening.

The older Curt remembers as a Boy Scout opening a recycling project which “reinforced the need to be involved in the community.” Today, Boy Scout troop 355 continues that tradition by touching the lives of each of its members.

Changlin Li is an intern with the Bellevue Reporter. He recently graduated from Interlake High School and will be attending Harvard University in the fall.