The Importance of Eagle Scouts in Connecticut

"Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle," a phrase from a 1968 novel by Anton Myrer, explores a narrative of leadership, citizenship, and duty in the U.S. military. Eagle Scouts have been the cornerstone of communities since the early 1900s.

Scouts spend time earning each of the seven ranks in Scouting, starting with Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally Eagle. The progression of ranks matches the progression of skills scouts learn and gain from each advancement. With each rank, Scouts assume additional responsibilities within their patrol, troop, and community. Scouts personally culminate hundreds of hours of service over the course of their scouting journey through community service and service to others.

Earning the Eagle Scout Rank is a capstone achievement earned after dedication and service to others. The rank is earned after completing a service project that benefits their community. An Eagle Scout project is not a simple task. The Eagle Scout project demands a significant investment of time and effort, requiring Scouts to identify a meaningful need in their community, develop a comprehensive plan, secure necessary approvals, organize fundraising efforts, gather materials and donations, and lead a team of volunteers to bring their vision to life. Projects range in scope and impact on each community.

If you look in any community in Connecticut, you will find an Eagle Project. You may have even utilized an Eagle Scout project without realizing it.

Below are some examples:

• Tyler Lawton, Troop 93 Uncasville: the creation of the public Horton Cove Trail in Montville.
• Suhayl Ahmed: Farmington: Project done to prevent parking-related erosion near the septic system at Valley American Muslim Center.
• John Sleeman, Troop 15 Tolland: Built a brand new police K-9 training course for State Police Troop C.
• Nathan Goldschmidt, West Hartford: constructed benches at Westmoor Park for public use.
• Marshall: worked on painting and creating two children’s corners and a teen room at the Marshall House Family Shelter, filling them with games, arts & crafts, toys, and even a Wii.
• Matt Boyer, Manchester: repaired and refinished the front area and steps of the Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC)
• Daniel Geary: rehabilitated a garden area at the House of Bread in Hartford. This includes refinishing a picnic bench, installing a privacy screen, and constructing raised garden beds.
• Ian McNatt, Troop 93, Montville: The construction and installation of 10 bat houses at Camp Oakdale. The safe hibernation reduces the risk of the deadly white-nose syndrome in bats.
• Scoville Zielinski Troop 3, Torrington: Rainbow memorial bridge for beloved pets.
• Nate Baranowksi, Manchester: Repaired the dam at Buckland Pond, mulched the trail, and built a bridge around the pond.
• Jared Hendrickson, Troop 44 Berlin: Built and installed wood duck boxes for safe duck nesting.
• Alexander Boon van Ostade, Troop 174, Simsbury: Built custom cabinetry for the FOCUS center for Autism. Additionally, he painted the walls of the game room and raised funds for supplies for the organization.
• Liam Alexe Troop 274 Avon: Built a run-in shed for U.S. Horse Welfare and Rescue, increasing the capacity by two more horse rescues.
• Piers W. Lucker, Troop 174, Simsbury: Constructed and installed informational kiosk and board at the Phelps Tavern Museum Visitors Center.
• Luke McCormick, Farmington: Built an eight-by-10-foot storage shed at Irging A Robbins Middle School for baseball equipment.
• David Gomes Cheshire: Built a new water crossing bridge at Mixville Park to help visitors walk across the stream back and forth to the upper and lower pond.
• Jordon Rhoads, Troop 4, Torrington: Improved Antolini Trail in New Hartford. Jordon built a fence for the parking lot, built a food bridge, and blazed the walking trail.
• Timothy Gairing, Troop 102, Naugatuck, installed siding, installed a door on the shed & painted and repaired decks at the Union City Little League.

Across Connecticut, thousands of Eagle Scout projects have made a lasting difference in communities from building outdoor classrooms and restoring trails to organizing food drives and creating public service programs. Even now, dozens of Scouts are actively leading projects that address real needs in their neighborhoods. The collective impact of these efforts is profound, providing invaluable support to local nonprofits and municipalities while saving them countless hours and resources. Many of these projects will have a lasting impact for decades to come.

Beyond making a meaningful difference in their communities, earning the Eagle Scout rank equips young people with essential life skills, fostering leadership, instilling a strong work ethic, and laying a solid foundation for future success in education, careers, and civic engagement.

Congratulations to all the Eagle Scouts who have been and will be. Fly high.

If you would like to support Connecticut Scouting, contact Jason.Messier@scouting.org, Development Director of the Connecticut Rivers Council - Scouting America. Visit www.ctscouting.org to learn more. Do you want to volunteer or have a child interested in becoming a scout? Visit www.beascout.org to learn more!