Shutdown Costs Boy His Eagle Scout Badge

July 1, 2011 9:13 AM

LAKE ITASCA, Minn. (AP) – Dylan Burger’s work to become an Eagle Scout has been sidetracked by politics.
The 17-year-old is among the Boys Scouts from New Ulm kicked out of Itasca State Park because a state government shutdown caused by a budget disagreement. Minnesota’s 66 state parks are among the many facets of government affected.
Burger says he’s frustrated by the politics surrounding the shutdown. The teen says “it’s like two little children fighting over a goal.” Burger says it’s sad lawmakers can’t reach an agreement for the benefit of the state.
Minnesota Public Radio News says the scouts canceled their 20-mile hike and pulled up their tent stakes Thursday. Work on merit badges will have to be done another day.