A table was set up in the foyer of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church on Saturday, covered with visual memories of a young man’s adventures as a Boy Scout.

There was Todd Berry on a snow trip with his father; fishing along a stream, preparing to climb a rock wall, gingerly gutting a newly-caught fish, learning to fire a blackpowder rifle, with fellow Scouts on a backpack trip and holding the flag at a Mariner’s baseball game.

But down at the side, almost covered by other photos, was a picture of Todd when he was about 7, proudly wearing his Cub Scout uniform and looking straight into the camera, almost as if he could see into his future.

And he’s smiling.

He had good reason, for on this day Todd Berry attained the rank of Eagle Scout before a crowd of 90; family, friends and fellow members of Langley’s Troop 57.

It’s a high honor, as just 4 percent of all Scouts have earned the rank of Eagle since Boy Scouts started in 1911.

Guest speaker Michael Berry, Todd’s brother who is also an Eagle, explained what he termed as the three basics needed for a good life:

• Never abandon the dreams of the inner child, even the big ones;

• Keep it simple, even as life starts to become more complicated;

• And keep it fun, remembering that laughter raises the quality of life.

It was advice followed religiously by Todd Berry, who has been a Scout for 12 years. To earn the Eagle rank, a boy has to advance through specific stages — Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life — each designed to demonstrate increasingly more responsibility, community service and leadership skills.

Scouts pass tests that are organized by well-defined requirements and earn merit badges, of which 21 (out of 120 available) are needed for Eagle status.

Berry has 23 — the hardest was “Personal Management.” It meant he had to keep a detailed budget for six months, carefully documenting how his money was to be spent.

“Not much adventure there,” Berry admitted. “It took a lot of time and focus.”

The easiest were those related to firearms, hunting and fishing, he said.

When not working on merit badges, Berry, 18, is a senior at South Whidbey High School and lead drummer for the school’s wind ensemble and pep bands. He plans to attend Eastern Washington University in the fall, specializing in outdoor recreation.

Monday he was on the school’s sports field preparing for his role as a “thrower” on the track team — putting the shot, hurling the discus and throwing the javelin.

Scouting is a family affair for the Berrys. Father Ken Berry has been Todd’s Scoutmaster, encouraging and guiding him along the way.

“But he did it all on his own and I’m very proud of him,” Ken Berry said.

“This was an important day for my parents, especially dad,” Todd Berry noted. “To see both of his sons achieve Eagle meant a lot to him.”

The ceremony itself was brief and to the point. Following the color guard and invocation, Troop 57 members recited the Trail to the Eagle, lighting candles symbolizing the path Berry took.

Then Berry offered a remembrance of his most excellent adventures over the years.

“I got to go on many camping trips where I learned to use the outdoor skills I’d been taught,” Berry said. “I made some good friends and really had fun.”

And what would he tell a boy considering the Scouting life?

“It’s worth all the effort; there will be opportunities throughout their whole lives and people will recognize their achievement forever,” he said.

There were a few tears as he recognized his parents with special Boy Scout lapel pins, but in the end Todd Berry was smiling.

Almost as if he could see his future.