Boy Scout Troop 237 members (L-R) Joe Henderson, Brian Harris, Alex Ramsey, and Aidan Swenson each completed a community service project on their way to achieving Scouting’s highest rank.
Orinda Boy Scout Troop 237 announced Joe Henderson, Brian Harris, Alex Ramsey and Aidan Swenson have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and will celebrate their Eagle Court of Honor Feb. 2.
Eagle is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, and one that is reached by fewer than four percent of Boy Scouts nationwide. To become an Eagle, a Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, including 13 Eagle-required badges, demonstrate leadership ability and “Scout Spirit,” and successfully complete an Eagle service project benefiting the community.
When Henderson, a senior at Miramonte High School, learned Ponderosa Elementary School in Paradise (Butte County) was partially burnt down in the November 2018 Camp Fire, he organized a book drive to help. Along with his fellow Troop 237 scouts, Henderson collected, sorted and delivered more than 1,200 K-5 books to the teachers and students to help replace lost books in classroom and home libraries.
Harris, a senior at the College Preparatory School in Oakland, worked with the Skyline Gardens Project and fellow members of Troop 237 to build and install benches in two scenic areas of the Skyline Trail in Tilden Park. The organization is cataloging native flora and removing invasive species in a 250-acre area.
Harris, who enjoys hiking and mountain biking in Tilden Park, says, “I am glad to have worked on something that will bring attention to the hard work of the Skyline Gardens Project volunteers and encourage residents of the area to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.”
Ramsey, a junior at Miramonte, approached the Bridges Academy at Melrose, a K-8 grade school in an under-served community in East Oakland, and asked how he could help. Based on their feedback, Ramsey planned and, with the help of his fellow scouts, executed a book and clothing drive, resulting in donations of more than 500 books and more than 300 articles of clothing for children and adults in the school’s community.
“Providing other kids with books to advance their knowledge and nice clothes that might make someone’s day is a great way to do a good turn,” says Ramsey.
Swenson, a Miramonte junior, found inspiration for his project from an introduction to Orinda’s Historic Landmarks Committee. Based on his research, Swenson designed and produced an informational plaque commemorating the California and Nevada Railroad and the landmark original railroad trestle post that lies just east of the Orinda Community Park. He and his fellow scouts assembled and installed the plaque at the park in March.
Swenson says, “I am honored to have helped bring recognition to an important piece of history for the benefit of our community today and for many years to come.”
The celebration to mark these achievements takes place Feb. 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the Orinda Community Church.
