Our monthly digital series, "Campfire Stories" highlights the powerful legacy of Kansas City Scouting and its role in shaping the heart of our community. This month, our tale takes us back to 1970 and a promise made by one of our city's most inspiring and influential leaders.
"The lights of the Music Hall were bright, the stage packed with more than 360 Scouts standing shoulder-to-shoulder. One by one, we stepped forward to receive the highest honor in Scouting: the Eagle badge. When my turn finally came, the hand I shook belonged to none other than Ewing Kauffman, the sponsor of our 1970 Eagle Scout Class."
Ron Fredman earned his Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 61 in 1970. As a part of an annual tradition in the Kansas City Area Council, all Eagle Scouts would be awarded their Eagle badge at a large Court of Honor hosted at the Music Hall in downtown Kansas City.
Official Ewing M. Kauffman Class of Eagle Scouts Photo - October 25, 1970 - Municipal Auditorium
"The Kansas City Royals were just a year old then and a brand new expansion team. But Mr. K already had high hopes for the team he helped build from the ground up, said Fredman. Standing on that stage, he made a bold proclamation that has since become the stuff of Kansas City folklore. "The Royals will be in the World Series," I am certain he said. "And there’s a ticket waiting for each of you."
Ewing M. Kauffman wasn't just a benefactor; he was one of us. The son of an Eagle Scout, Mr. K earned his Eagle badge in 1932 as a member of Troop and Ship 100 at Faxon School in Kansas City, Missouri. And Scouting experience didn't just shape his formative years—it shaped his entire life. Because of his Eagle rank and Sea Scouting experience, Kauffman was granted the rank of Seaman First Class upon enlisting in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He later credited his Scout training as the key factor in his safe return from three years of active duty.
Official Ewing M. Kauffman Class of Eagle Scouts Program - October 25, 1970 - Municipal Auditorium
Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit rooted in those early lessons, he founded a pharmaceutical empire, brought Major League Baseball back to Kansas City, and established the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Like Ron, many Eagles from the 1970 Kauffman Class of Eagles recall him making a promise of tickets to a game.
"Whether he promised us World Series tickets or not, the legend endures, said Fredman. And legends, after all, are part of what makes a city dream. Kansas City still dreams because Mr. K taught us how. I like to think a little of that rubbed off on me—and the countless Scouts I’ve help guide ever since. I am proud to know Mr. K handed me my Eagle badge all those many decades ago as a member of his Class of Eagles."
Today, the Heart of America Council ensures that Mr. K’s legacy continues to inspire new generations. Each year, the council presents the Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. This honor recognizes adult Eagle Scouts who have excelled to the highest levels in their professional careers and have provided exemplary, selfless service to their communities.
Dave Johnson (pictured 3rd from the left) is the Founder of Chicken N Pickle and also a member of the 1970 Class of Eagle Scouts
In a fitting tribute, recipients are recognized annually at Kauffman Stadium during "Scout Day at the K." It is a full-circle moment—celebrating the values of Scouting in the house that Mr. K built. This year’s Scout Day at the K will take place on Sunday, April 12 where our council will recognize two Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scouts who have translated the values of Scouting into extraordinary professional success and community leadership.
Todd Graves: Eagle Scout Class of 1978
Since earning his Eagle rank in 1978, Todd Graves has built a formidable career in law. A former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, he is now a Partner at Graves Garrett Greim, representing clients on a national scale.
Tucker Trotter: Eagle Scout Class of 1988
A third-generation Eagle Scout who has passed the legacy down to his son, Tucker earned his rank in 1988. As the CEO of Dimensional Innovations and co-founder of the Parade of Hearts and Atlas 9, he continues to shape the cultural and physical landscape of Kansas City.
Congratulations to this year's Ewing M. Kauffman Distinguished Eagle Scout recipients. Have a Campfire Story you would like to share? Email matt.armstrong@scouting.org.
