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Eagle Scout Project Is Life-changing Gift for Child with Special Needs

January 27, 2017

For Ellen Colson, a second grade student at Little Valley Elementary School, getting through an average day at school requires an effort that is anything but average. As a child with special needs, she faces challenges many of the other students in her school do not.

“It takes her a lot of energy just to breathe,” said her mother, Anne Colson.

Ellen has a rare form of muscular dystrophy that requires her to spend the majority of her day in a motorized wheelchair. Of course, she doesn’t spend all day in the wheelchair, meaning teachers must sometimes help to transfer her from the chair to the floor so that she can get some down time.

Sometimes, working with a child with special needs can require teachers to take a variety of additional precautions, and in Ellen’s case, the transfer from chair to floor was not always easy or safe for Ellen or for the teachers, but the school didn’t have another solution.

That’s when Eagle Scout candidate Jalen W., from the Boy Scouts of America Utah National Parks Council, stepped in to help. He heard Ellen’s story and knew that he could make a difference for this child with special needs.

To help reduce the stress of transferring Ellen from her chair to the floor, Jalen focused his Eagle Scout project on the construction of an activity table for Ellen. It has helped to change her life and the lives of her teachers.

Now she has the ability to rest comfortably as well as work on other projects on the table without the same risk of a complicated transfer from her wheelchair to the floor. It also allows her to spend the entire day in the classroom with her friends.

“Our backs are safe and she is safe,” said Ellen’s teacher, Jaqueline Whitaker. “It’s life-changing really.”

To learn more about Jalen’s Eagle Scout project, be sure to read the full article and watch the story on Good4Utah.com.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like Jalen, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video:

11 Scouts from Same Troop Earn Eagle

January 27, 2017

For some Scout troops, having several Scouts earn the rank of Eagle in the same year might not be typical. So when 11 Scouts from Troop 224 in the Boy Scouts of America Black Swamp Area Council earned the rank of Eagle Scout during the same year’s timeframe, it was quite notable.

11 Scouts from Same Troop Earn Eagle — The Scouts who earned Eagle together (photo: Putnam County Sentinel/Nancy Kline)

Collectively, these Scouts put in more than 1,500 hours of community service in the completion of their Eagle Scout projects. Based on the value of community service hours as calculated by one independent agency, the work completed by the 11 Scouts accounted for more than $35,000 in service to their community.

The Eagle Scout projects of these 11 Scouts focused heavily on landscaping improvements and new or renovated recreation facilities at numerous locations around their community, meaning the fruits of their labor can be enjoyed for years to come by residents.

To find out more about each of the individual projects from these Scouts, be sure to read the full article in the Putnam County Sentinel.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like these 11 Scouts, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video:

Eagle Project Focuses on Reading While Walking

January 20, 2017

When you think of reading while walking, perhaps it conjures images of people with their faces buried in their phones, scanning their e-mails, looking at text messages, or reading a news article on the internet.

Reading while walking is generally the kind of activity that, if you’re not careful, could put you on a collision course with an object in your path. But what if there was a way that reading while walking could actually be good for your health?

Thanks to Zach Y., an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America Knox Trail Council, the people of Northborough, Massachusetts, have an opportunity to try reading while walking as a way to help boost both literacy and physical health.

For his Eagle Scout project, Zach created a StoryWalk, which features 17 stations placed at intervals along a nature trail in a community park area. Each station contains part of a complete story. As people walk along the trail, they stop at each station to read the next section of the story.

It helps promote physical activity for people who want to find out what happens next in the story, requiring them to walk the entire half-mile trail.

It is specifically designed for younger readers and features a story that will appeal to their interests.

Zach made each of the stops in such a fashion that the story can be changed out once a season or more frequently, if necessary. This helps to keep readers coming back to the trail to see what the latest story is.

“Zach did a fantastic job,” said local school librarian MaryEllen Remillard, who worked with Zach as part of the process. “I was excited to be a part of it. It’s something people can really enjoy.”

To learn more about Zach’s Eagle Scout project that focuses on reading while walking, be sure to read the entire article in the Community Advocate.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like Zach, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video:

Eagle Scout Bridge-building Project Is Ambitious

January 13, 2017

Metaphorical bridge-building can be a big part of Scouting, but so can actual bridge-building.

For Scout John O. of the Boy Scouts of America Patriots’ Path Council, his Eagle Scout project was going to be an opportunity to really push himself to accomplish something he knew would make an impact.

John started Scouting as a Tiger Cub Scout, and he’d worked his way through Scouting, building a love for the outdoors as he went. In his own community, he had access to some key natural areas that offer some amazing hiking and mountainbiking to local residents.

Two of these areas bordered each other, but they were split by a creek, making access between the wildlife and wilderness areas difficult. The solution: build a bridge between the two to cross the creek.

Of course, Scouts are always ready for a challenge, and John saw the bridge-building opportunity as a chance to do something big. So instead of building one bridge for his Eagle Scout project, he built two.

His ambitious project was no easy feat. In fact, it required complex planning, design, engineering, construction and installation. It took more than a year for John and his team of volunteers to complete the entire project, but the hard work was well worth it.

“This young man has completed a remarkable project that required extensive planning, design and hard work, and one that is now benefitting many people who access the county’s great open spaces,’’ said local official Kathy DeFillippo. “We thank him for his efforts on behalf of all county residents, and wish him well on his future endeavors. He, obviously, is a future leader of our county, state and nation.’’

To learn more about John’s impressive bridge-building project, be sure to read the full article on TAPintoMorristown.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like John, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video:

Eagle Scout Brotherhood Grows with Actual Brothers

January 6, 2017

There’s something special about the Eagle Scout brotherhood that includes all of the Scouts throughout history that have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, but when joining that Eagle Scout brotherhood happens for actual brothers, it’s a truly special moment.

Such was the case recently in the Boy Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council, where three sets of brothers were all recognized together as Eagle Scouts.

Some of the older brothers had actually earned the Eagle Scout award a few years prior, but they waited to hold their Court of Honor. By doing so, they could be recognized with their younger brothers who had just earned the Eagle Scout award and had become part of the Eagle Scout brotherhood.

“It’s definitely a lifelong process, and it was nice to have my brother and our dad who is our Scout leader throughout that process,” says Wesley N., one of the Scouts who recently earned Eagle.

“It’s really cool having a brother with you along with all the other brothers,” said Scout Matthew B. “It kind of creates a different bond with going to Boy Scout Camp and being with each other all the time.”

Some of the Scouts at the event credited their older brothers with helping to push them to complete Eagle – either directly or just by setting a high bar. It’s the kind of sibling rivalry where everyone benefits.

Of course, the Scout leaders for the troop also played a key role in so many Scouts joining the Eagle Scout brotherhood.

“It’s great to be in Scouting with your own boys because you have so much fun with them,” said Darryl, the Scouts’ Assistant Scoutmaster. “It’s an absolute riot, but it’s not just them, you get to know their friends. It’s the highest paying job I’ve ever had because it’s an awesome experience getting to know these young men.”

To see more info on these three sets of brothers who were all recognized together as Eagle Scouts, be sure to check out the full story from 9&10 News.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like these brothers, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video:

Refugee Crisis Spurs Eagle Project

January 6, 2017

The refugee crisis affecting key regions of the globe probably isn’t something most American teenagers think about regularly, but for one Scout, doing his part to help refugees actually played a role in helping him achieve something that determined American boys have been seeking for more than 100 years.

In the Boy Scouts of America Inland Northwest Council, Scout Jared F. was looking for an Eagle Scout project that would give him an opportunity to help people directly. As he began doing the research and asking around about what would make a worthy project, Jared learned that the refugee crisis in the Middle East had resulted in hundreds of refugees being relocated to his own town.

“I really didn’t know much about refugees before this,” he said, noting that he learned that many of those refugees coming from other countries often have little more than the clothing they are wearing when they are relocated.

The thought that the refugee crisis had extended to his own home town made an impact on Jared, and he wanted to do something to help the refugees. He contacted a local refugee support organization, World Relief Spokane, that gave him a project idea for how he could help.

It can get pretty cold during winters in the Pacific Northwest, and the refugee support organization was short on blankets to provide to the refugees. So Jared mobilized an effort to collect and supply more than 300 blankets to refugees that had been relocated to his community.

When he delivered them to World Relief Spokane, the stacks of blankets reached to the ceiling in the organization’s office.

“I’m so excited because I was looking for blankets just last week,” said Nancy Goodwin, of World Relief.

“Every refugee that comes to Spokane, we provide everything they need for their apartment,” said Johnna Nickoloff, World Relief Spokane’s development director. “But the requirement is very minimal, and it could be very vague – maybe they just have sheets and a thin blanket.”

Though the refugee crisis has left people displaced all over the world, the commitment of Scouts like Jared helps to make a difference.

To learn more about Jared’s Eagle project to provide blankets to refugees in his community, be sure to read the full article in The Spokesman-Review.

To learn more about the positive impact that Scouting can have on young people like Jared, be sure to check out this article on the recent Tufts study, and watch this video:

Scout Saves Father During “Terrifying” Life-threatening Situation

December 15, 2016

Seeing a family member experience a life-threatening situation would be enough to make most people lose their composure, but many Scouts are trained specifically on how to respond in an emergency.

When Scout John H. of the Boy Scouts of America Northern Star Council saw his father in a life-threatening situation, he sprang into action to help save his father’s life.

The family was at home, and John’s father was recovering from two strokes when he experienced an issue. He was eating dinner, and he choked on a piece of food. This caused John’s father to fall to the floor, choking, and unable to get any air.

“I just remember falling over. Then, in the ambulance when I woke up,” John’s father, James, told Fox 9 News.

John heard his mother scream, and he rushed into the room where his father was choking. While his mother called 9-1-1, John used skills he had learned in Scouting to help his father.

“Hearing a thud then running into the room and seeing your dad laying there, turning grey, his lips are blue, on the ground,” John said. “And your mom is on the phone with a 911 operator screaming, it’s a pretty terrifying sight.”

With the life-threatening situation going on, John kept a clear head and did everything correctly to save his father.

“He knew what to do, he started doing it,” John’s mother, Jean, said. “By the time the 9-1-1 dispatcher was telling me ‘do this, do this,’ John was two steps ahead of her.”

For his actions to save his father’s life during a life-threatening situation, John received the Boy Scouts of America Medal of Merit.

To learn more about John’s amazing story of heroism, be sure to watch the video below and read the full article on Fox 9 News.

STEM Exploring Post Offers Students Invaluable Experiences

December 9, 2016

Story by District Executive Bill San Filippo of the Patriots’ Path Council

In the spring of 2016, more than 40 local students gathered for the first open house of the brand new Alcoa Howmet STEM Exploring post located in Dover, New Jersey, in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America.

The students heard from company interns, executives, engineers, and plant workers to learn just a small portion of what a career in the STEM fields is like. From there, 23 students eagerly filled out their applications to join this new exciting program.

Engineering & Technology Career Exploring is a hands-on program open to young men and women from the 8th grade to 20 years old who have an interest in learning more about the career fields of engineering & technology. Alcoa Howmet is a global leader in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing, and multi-material solutions innovation.

“The Alcoa Howmet Exploring program is a very fun activity and a social environment for me to explore different fields of STEM,” says Explorer Jake D., a 12^th grade student. “I have enjoyed getting to work with other members of the post as well as Alcoa Howmet engineers to learn basic programming, how to build a robot, and refine the program of a robot as well.” Alcoa Howmet’s STEM Exploring post is designed to give area high school students a behind-the-scenes, first-hand experience with engineering and technology projects.

The first meeting of the post was a tour of Alcoa Howmet’s castings operations. The plant tour brought Explorers through the world-class complex where they learned how cast turbine airfoils for the aircraft engine and industrial gas turbine industries are developed. The plant tour also allowed students to learn about the “non-traditional castings” components normally fabricated from many parts, which are available as single castings with all internal passages and holes cast.

“Perhaps the most exciting part of the Exploring program is watching the Explorers grow and develop from the open house until now,” says Bill Miley, Plant Operations Manager for Alcoa Howmet’s Dover location and post executive officer. “We treat the Explorers like they are our employees because it’s important they receive the full workforce experience so they have a competitive edge above their peers.”

Students in the program receive personalized ID badges, access to different parts of the plant, and they even sign in as if they worked at the plant on a regularly bases. The Explorers are welcomed by employees as an everyday part of the Alcoa operations.

Beyond learning how to program and build a robot, students also began working with 3D printers. The post challenged students to think of a project that integrates computer aided design (CAD), computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create something aligned with their interests. Three teams formed, elected leaders for their groups, and identified design goals to build a trebuchet, a quadcopter capable of carrying a payload, and a mobility assist device for people with physical disabilities.

In addition to collaborating on the CAD design, students have the opportunity to upload files and have them 3D printed in different materials. Explorers are able to gain experience in a variety of printing aspects including filament types, calibration, in-fill design, and product assembly.

“The program has exposed me to so many different STEM professions, and it allowed me to further explore my interests,” said 12th grade student Bailey S. “My favorite activity was programing and building the Sumobot!”

The post is also hitting the road! In November, the Explorers will visit the Alcoa Howmet Technology Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they will partner with Picatinny Arsenal’s engineering team this coming winter to learn more about robotics. Additionally, the post plans to visit Boston Dynamics in Waltham, Massachusetts for their spring trip to explore a high-tech robotics lab.

According to the National Science Foundation, “In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.”

The alliance between the Boy Scouts of America Exploring Program and Alcoa Howmet hopes to do just that, allowing students to not only learn and develop their skills, but lead them into a STEM career.

Special thanks to District Executive Bill San Filippo of the Patriots Path Council for submitting this story.

Head to Exploring.org to read the full story.

During Horrific Emergency, Scout Family Was Heroic

December 2, 2016

Every year, many Scouts go through emergency preparedness and first-aid training, and they all hope they’ll never find themselves in a situation that calls for them to use that emergency training. Unfortunately, hoping doesn’t make it so, and Scouts know that being prepared to stand up and help during a terrible situation is very important.

During Horrific Emergency, Scout Family Was Heroic — Scout leader William and his Scout sons Liam and Ben are heroes (photo: Woodbury Bulletin)

Such was the case for Eagle Scout William E. and his two Boy Scout sons Liam and Ben, all from the Boy Scouts of America Northern Star Council, who came upon the scene of a horrific automobile accident while they were driving.

“We had to make a conscious decision to stop and then make a conscious decision to get involved and then use our training,” William, an assistant Scoutmaster for his sons’ troop, said. “You talk about why we stopped. It’s just what we do. It wasn’t a question. You stop and help.”

Once they stopped, they began to see that it was a true emergency situation involving two vehicles and multiple injured people. An SUV had rear-ended a car, crumpling the back section of the car and trapping injured passengers in the back seat.

The driver of the SUV had called 911 but was disoriented and incapable of providing accurate information about the accident. William was able to calm her and had her pass the phone to him so he could speak to the dispatcher about the emergency situation.

“I let 911 know that we needed at least three ambulances and Jaws of Life to get the passengers out of the car,” he said.

While everyone waited for emergency personnel to arrive with the necessary equipment, Ben methodically assigned first-aid duties to all those who had stopped at the scene. The young man admitted that he typically gets queasy at the sight of blood, but something about this situation and his Scout training helped him rise to the occasion.

“The adrenaline or something—I ignored it,” Ben said. “Apparently what I said was enough to get grown adults to help out. I don’t know what I said. They came over.”

Ben and his brother Liam also worked to calm the victims and passed out some drinks when the weather became hot.

Eventually, emergency personnel arrived and went to work extracting the injured and transporting them to medical facilities.

For their heroic actions, William, Ben, and Liam received the Meritorious Action Award.

To learn more about this heroic Scout family, be sure to read the full article in the Woodbury Bulletin.

Scouts Collect Nearly 2.2 Million Items During Scouting for Food

December 2, 2016

Story contributed by Christine Rasure, Public Relations Director at the Greater St. Louis Area Council.

The holidays will be a little brighter for many families in need throughout the region as the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America collected 2,195,060 items of food during the 32nd annual Scouting For Food drive. It is the third-largest collection ever recorded for local efforts and the highest total since 2008 when Scouting For Food collected 2,196,237 food items.

Over one million Scouting For Food bags were delivered in the St. Louis area, and residents responded to the call, leaving the bags filled with items such as canned goods on their doorsteps for Scouts to pick them up.

The largest one-day food drive in the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts throughout St. Louis, Southeast Missouri, and Southern Illinois regularly collect approximately 2 million donated food items during Scouting For Food. The food is delivered to a network of about 500 food pantries throughout the region and provides more than 500,000 meals annually for families in need.

“Participating in the Scouting For Food program is a proud tradition for our community,” said Ronald Green, Scout Executive/CEO of the Greater St. Louis Area Council. “We appreciate the community’s generosity year after year. The food drive is important not only because it helps those in need, but it also teaches our children the value of serving others.”

Scouting For Food comes at an important time of year. As colder temperatures settle in, many families are forced to cut their food budget in order to keep the heat on.

Canned good donations in the St. Louis area are picked up by Scouts and taken to local fire stations where the items are sorted and boxed. Sunset Transportation, Inc., provides vehicles, equipment, and volunteer drivers to then transport the donations to the St. Louis Area FoodBank.

In communities outside of St. Louis, Scouts deliver donations directly to local food pantries. Within 48 hours of the Scouts’ pick-up, the first donations are on food pantry shelves, ready to feed the hungry.

Scouting Newsroom would like to thank Christine Rasure of the Greater St. Louis Area Council for submitting this story.