By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Scouting guided the seven boys further than they imagined. It took them whitewater rafting, winter camping, and deep sea fishing.
While broadening their horizons far from their hometowns, scouting also helped turn them into responsible members of their communities back home.
Over the weekend, seven members of Boy Scout Troop 347 in Tontogany were awarded their Eagle Scout honors. The audience was made up of parents and grandparents beaming with pride, who followed the scouting motto to be prepared – with their phones and cameras.
The seven young men on stage joined scouting more than a decade ago, when the challenge to be trustworthy, helpful, courteous and kind were likely unknown concepts to the young boys.
“Most of these scouts began their journey in first grade,” said Scoutmaster Nathan Vollmar. Having seven scouts reach the Eagle rank is remarkable, Vollmar said, noting that only 6% of eligible scouts achieve that honor.
The seven scouts – Drew Vollmar, Chad Hoffman, Brandan Hillyard, Jack Simpson, RJ Agosti, Mason Brewer and Max Miles – shared memories from their scouting trips, projects and lessons.
They talked about the challenge of making pinewood derby cars out of blocks of wood and baking “crazy cakes” early in the scouting experience. They shared the thrills of hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail, camping, fishing and rafting.
Along the way, they learned how to be resourceful, self-reliant and to work as a team. And sometimes, they learned unintended lessons – such as how to set items on fire with a magnifying glass, Drew Vollmar said with a grin.
Hoffman talked about the thrill of deep sea fishing, even if the catches were nothing to brag about.
Simpson talked about scouting teaching him the skills of leadership, survival, responsibility – and how to accomplish goals while practicing procrastination.
The boys learned about remaining persistent in less than desirable weather. Simpson talked about Camp Alaska, which required planning ahead to build shelters that would keep the scouts as warm as possible while camping in 10 degrees, in the snow. He talked about the other extreme, of marching in the annual Memorial Day parades – which were often sweltering hot.
Hillyard talked about his first scout meeting when he tagged along with an older brother. He couldn’t wait till he was old enough to join scouting himself.
Agosti recalled the extreme camping trips, and the “rubber chicken awards” handed out for the best skit performances.
Brewer shared the valuable lesson of learning how to complete tasks – even if they aren’t fun. The skills learned in scouting can be applied to school and sports, he said.
“Even some of the most miserable moments were memorable,” Brewer said, listing off hiking through deep mud and camping in frigid conditions. “I nearly froze my toes off.”
And Miles talked about the early scouting memory of turning blocks of wood into competitive race cars.
As part of the Eagle ceremony, the boys were reminded of their scouting goals of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
They were encouraged to use the skills of leadership, teamwork and strength of character that they developed over years of scouting.
“Wear this distinction with honor,” their scoutmaster said. “Lead with confidence and kindness.”
Following are the projects that each scout completed to earn their Eagle ranking:
- Drew Vollmar poured concrete, ran electric, and installed outlets and lights for the Tontogany Legion chicken barbecue shelter.
- Chad Hoffmann built a score bench and other benches for the Maumee Valley Sportsman Club in Malinta.
- Brandan Hillyard redesigned and relocated the shotput and discus throwing area at Otsego High School.
- Jack Simpson ran electric, installed lights, and cleaned up the volleyball court at Christ The Word Church in Sylvania.
- RJ Agosti installed a flagpole to display American and Vatican flags, also installed a concrete walkway around the church sign at St Patrick’s Providence Church in Grand Rapids.
- Mason Brewer performed work at a boathouse for the Toledo Rowing Foundation, replacing 16 interior lights with energy saving LED fixtures, repainting a mural on the side of the building, and replacing two outdoor signs. –
- Max Miles built and placed four wooden benches and performed general clean up at the Washington Township Cemetery.
