Eagle Scouts Contribute to the Community

Eagle Scouts Contribute to the Community
Jackson Silver, Nathan Brewer, Bobbie Brewer, Connor Barry (Eagle Scout Troop 522 alumnus)

Becoming an Eagle Scout is not for the fainthearted. Scouts applying for Eagle status must complete a detailed workbook for their community service proposal and present it to the local scoutmaster for review. It then goes to a committee and the district advancement team for approval after which the scout will have to initiate fund raising, buy materials, setting dates, getting volunteer helpers, and completing the project.

As Bobbie Brewer, committee chairperson for Boy Scout Troop 522 explained, “It takes hours of preparation and lots of paperwork. Before and after photographs are taken, costs of materials are tallied, hours spent by each scout and volunteer must be recorded — even the cost of lunches or snacks provided for volunteers.”

Once the project is completed the scout has an interview process and the work is sent to the national organization — the Eagle Board of Review — for authentication. Local scouts from Troop 522 which has been meeting at Ortega Church for many years, have been busy with multiple projects. Nathan Brewer, a scout since first grade, has completed building Little Free Libraries at Celestial Farms, NOLA Baseball field and Ortega Church. In mid- October he will receive a pin, patch, certificate, ID card and letter from the governor at a Ceremony of Honor for his achievement.

Other scouts from Troop 522 led by Troop Leader Jim Steele, include Jackson Stellers and Michael Silver who have been busy working towards their Eagle status as well. Jackson, under the sponsorship of FOS (Friends of Stockton) saw the need for lattice to be placed underneath 6 portable buildings at Stockton Elementary School to keep the children from climbing under the buildings to recover last balls during PE and playtime. His dad remarked that it took around 50 hours of planning and his team spent 8 hours installing the lattice work. “Since Jackson attended Stockton, it is full circle. He spent a lot of time making sure the project was aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.”  

Michael Silver looked outward for a school to help and found a need at Plantation Oaks where his aunt is the new principal. He and his team built 3 picnic tables at his parent’s home then delivered them to the school to serve the needs of Special Education kids to use for outdoor studying, lunches, and social distancing activities.

Scoutmaster Jim Steele said, “our troop is very successful in preparing the boys to reach their goal. Only a small percentage of scouts persevere to complete the requirements and earn the rank of Eagle. There are so many distractions as they get older — sports, driving, schoolwork — so it is hard to stay focused and gain the prize. I am really proud of them. They do the work, I’m just here to cheer them on.”

Lillian Bodin installing bat boxes alongside her grandfather, Charles Parker.
Lillian Bodin installing bat boxes alongside her grandfather, Charles Parker.

In 2019 Female Boy Scout Troop 9465 was founded at Ortega Church under the leadership of Sean Deese. As former scout leader for Troop 522, Deese was able to guide his son and now he is guiding 20 young women, including his daughter, in becoming more self-reliant, more confident, and socially conscious. Deese pointed out that the 2019 date for establishing the female troop was the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. He said, “It’s a sign of how far we have come. As leaders and as followers the young women learn of opportunities now available for girls and women and become dedicated community stewards.” The troop is excited to have their first female Eagle Scout Lillian Bodin. Scoutmaster Deese remarked, “Lillian is phenomenal. She was highly motivated to achieve her Eagle rank and completed the requirements in only 2 years. Her project beneficiary was Jacksonville City Parks. She and her team built and installed 10 bat boxes in area parks. The boxes give homes to the bats who keep down the mosquito and bug population.”

Pastor Art McClellan noted that the church community “is amazed and proud of the number of scouts who, through their hard work and the encouragement of troop leaders and family, have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.”

By Peggy Harrell Jennings
Resident Community News

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