At age 6, Robert Livingston, of Effort, joined Boy Scouts to spend time with dad and learn new skills.

Eleven years later, Livingston was named an Eagle Scout, the highest of six Boy Scout ranks and one only a small percentage of Boy Scouts have earned.

During his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony on Saturday at the American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert, Livingston was joined by family, friends and distinguished guests.

Together, they celebrated his many accomplishments on his journey from Scout rank, where he learned the Boy Scout oath and law, to Eagle Scout, where he built two picnic tables and repainted a gazebo in the flower garden at the Western Pocono Community Library as his service project.

“These picnic tables will allow patrons to have lunch or a snack, and our gazebo will hopefully last another 15 years,” said Patti Weiss, director of Western Pocono Community Library. “I want to emphasize Robbie’s many hours of outstanding service. We are sincerely grateful to be the beneficiary of the project.”

Livingston called his father, Jeremy, his biggest supporter and his mentor.

“For 11 years, you have watched me grow and this experience has shaped me,” Livingston said.

He pinned a mother’s pin on his mom, Marianne, and a father’s pin on Jeremy. He also pinned a mentor pin on his dad. His parents tied a neckerchief around his neck.

Livingston was presented with various awards and citations from state government officials and local organization. They included Congressman Ryan Mackenzie; Rep. Rosemary Brown; Retired Col. Gerald Richardson of Elks Lodge 319; Andy Milazzo, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 678; Honi Gruenberg, president of West End Rotary Club; Brad Munn, Monroe District commissioner of Minsi Trails Council; and Alan Dempsey, US Submarine Veterans.

Livingston also received the Bruce M. Gower award for 12 consecutive campouts in a year. That was the fourth time he received the award, signifying his 48 consecutive campouts.

“If he missed one due to a family commitment, he and I would make it up in our backyard,” said Jeremy Livingston, scoutmaster of Troop 102.

Jeremy Livingston said that he had so many memories of his son over the past 11 years of Scouting. He felt lucky to have spent this time with his oldest son.

“The ‘your mama’ jokes made us all laugh,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen that time he paddled down the river, with one arm in a cast and the other doing the work.”

In Cub Scouts, he built pinewood derby cars that won races, and at age 15 he skipped over being junior patrol leader and went right to being named senior patrol leader.

Robbie is the oldest of three children. His brother, Joe, is finishing eighth grade and plays baseball. His sister, Lillian, is finishing fifth grade and rides horses.

Jeremy Livingston said that he was proud of his son, and the three other young men in his troop who received their Eagle Scout rank this year.