Celebrating Future Eagle Scouts Soaring at Dublin High School

April 18, 2012

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the most venerable institutions in this country. Founded in 1910, the initial mission was to form a youth-based developmental program that would promote the concepts of building character, citizenship and personal fitness in young men. Today, over 2.7 million youth members and over one million adult volunteers serve in this organization. Traditionally, boys from 7 to 11 years begin in Cub Scouting and then graduate into Boy Scouting through the age of 18.

OneDublin.org is pleased to share that multiple scouts in Dublin are pursuing their Eagle Scout projects in the month of April, specifically in BSA Troop 905. Troop 905 has been in operation in the Tri-Valley for over 25 years and has a membership of over 100 scouts. We had the recent opportunity to visit with two such scouts, Ken Ainslie and Nicholas Oto, two students at Dublin High School. To gain an appreciation of this commitment, one should understand what it means to be a Boy Scout. From day one, all scouts must adhere to this commandment. The Scout Oath says it all:

On My honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country; To obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

For some Boy Scouts, the pinnacle achievement during their tenure is to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. According to the Boy Scouts of America website (read more…) approximately 5% of active scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. The process begins early, but also includes the requirement to earn 21 mandatory merit badges and the progression of five successive ranks. Some of these merit badges include: Citizenship in the Community, First Aid, Environmental Science and Personal Management. In addition to these standards, the individual scout must then plan, develop and provide leadership to a community or school project. This project must be conducted in conjunction and in cooperation of an Eagle Scout board of review. We will now follow the two Eagle Scout projects completed by Dublin High School students Ken Ainslie and Nicholas Oto.

OneDublin.org: Please tell us about the process for submitting your Eagle Scout project. How did you come up with your concept?

Ken Ainslie

Ken Ainslie: “The process of finding, preparing and executing the Eagle project is a very lengthy ordeal – it went back to May 2011. I decided to do the Alamo Creek Park project because I run Cross Country and Track at Dublin High School and our team runs through this area almost every day. I felt an attachment to this park and wanted to repaint the pillars at the entrance of the park.”

OneDublin.org: What level of support were you expecting from your troop members and did it meet your expectations?

Ken Ainslie: “I needed about 9 to 11 scouts and about three adults from my troop. The support level exceeded my expectations as I also had fellow Dublin High School students join me. We had about 24 volunteers for the project.”

OneDublin.org: Now that the ‘physical’ part of the project part of the project is complete – how do you feel about it?

Ken Ainslie: “I feel that so much stress has been removed from my mind. The actual project day was the easiest part believe it or not, and it was actually fun for me after I realized that it would turn out OK.”

Nicholas Oto’s Eagle project was the amendment of the Martin Canyon Creek Trail near Hanson Hill.

OneDublin.org: How did you come up with the concept for your community project?

Nicolas Oto

Nicholas Oto: “I knew that I wanted to give back to the City of Dublin and the Public Works Manager helped me narrow my project framework. Ironically, my first scouting experience was at the Martin Canyon Trail and it was in need of restoration. There were several potholes that needed repair and we had the ability to restore the trails. The whole project is a process – I have been working on my project since August 2011.”

OneDublin.org: What role do parent members of your troop play in all of this?

Nicholas Oto: “My parents played a vital role. They were there for me when I needed their support and help. I could not have completed my Eagle project without them being by my side.”

OneDublin.org: When do you expect to receive review/approval of your Eagle project?

Nicholas Oto: “The project is going to be approved by the Council by the end of May.”

OneDublin.org applauds the efforts of both Ken and Nick in pursuit of their respective Eagle awards. It is also encouraging to know that their parent/organization leaders are fostering a commitment of service to their Dublin community.