Albert Lean Vern Teras fondly recalls his time as a Scout.

Though it has been more than 40 years since he earned his Eagle Scout Award, Teras said he remembers that time as a highlight in his life.

“The experiences, they’re invaluable,” he said.

In 1963 in Duluth, the then 17-year-old Teras had completed a series of merit badges and a six-month-long community project to earn the award — which is Boy Scouting’s highest rank.

The experience, he said, taught him to always stick to a project and to follow through on something once you’ve started.

Teras is one of dozens of Eagle Scouts in Freeborn County who will be honored tonight during a social at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club in Albert Lea.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout Award.

Paula Nuessmeier, Southern Trails district executive with the Twin Valley Council, said the social will also be a time to celebrate the Boy Scouts of America and to raise money for the Twin Valley Council, in which the local Scouts participate. She said the group is in need of financial donations.

During the event, Larry Forester will also be recognized with a special award for his leadership with the scouting programs in the area.

Nuessmeier said each year, Scouts put in hundreds of hours toward projects such as food drives and other community enhancements to parks, schools and churches.

“A lot of times people don’t realize the projects that are Eagle Scout projects,” she said.

In 2011 there were seven Eagle Scouts in Freeborn County, but there are several dozen within the county who already share the recognition.

Across the country, more than 2 million have achieved the rank.

Another Eagle Scout in Freeborn County is Rick Miller of Youth for Christ’s The Rock.

Miller said he earned his Eagle Scout Award in the early 1980s when he was 16.

For his Eagle Scout project, he shoveled around all of the fire hydrants in Clarks Grove for the entire winter.

His experiences in the scouting program, he said, taught him respect for other people, leadership and good morals.

People can hear more stories of other Scouts at tonight’s program.

The event in Albert Lea begins at 5 p.m. with a short program at 5:45 p.m. The public is invited.

A similar event is scheduled at the Wildcat Cafe in Wells on April 17 and at the Hormel Historic Home in Austin on May 9.