Orinda resident, Ryan Aars, age 16, is a Miramonte sophomore and was excited to receive his Eagle Scout rank. He proudly wears his hard-earned 86 merit badges, plus new patch and scarf for becoming an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 57, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Ken Goldman.
Orinda has a new Eagle Scout from Boy Scouts of America, Troop 57, named Ryan Aars.
The 16-year-old Miramonte High School sophomore and Orinda resident joined Cub Scouts in the first grade, moving his way up to Boy Scouts by the sixth grade.
For his Eagle Scout project, Aars built a shed for Xenophon Therapeutic Riding in Orinda, which is a non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding and pediatric therapy services. The shed, used daily, creates a rest spot for volunteers working with horses.
“I knew how to do those things, like building the shed and the overhang, so I thought it would be something good for me to do,” said Aars. “For the project, you are not supposed to do most of the work. You have to lead it, and I wanted to know what I would be leading the other boys to do.”
Aars, who currently has 86 merit badges to his name, has his sights set on reaching 100.
In addition to his new rank as Eagle Scout, Aars also earned the 50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency Award after he and other Boy Scouts led several beach clean-ups.
Troop 57 Scoutmaster Ken Goldman said his troop has a modest 18 scouts.
“Ryan has held many roles in Troop 57, including Quartermaster (in charge of all our gear and storage shed), Outdoor Ethics Guide (teaching the tenets of “Leave No Trace”), Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader,” said Goldman. “His contributions have helped keep the Troop running smoothly.”
Aars’ mother, Maura Aars, put Ryan in Boy Scouts for the valuable life experiences he could gain.
“I always wanted Ryan to be a part of Boy Scouts because they learn many things they don’t learn just going to school. For example, one of the badges Ryan earned was pioneering, where he put a table together with rope and random logs,” she said. “It is a way for learning different kinds of careers and lessons while having fun.”
Ryan’s father, Rick Aars, said he’s enjoyed spending time with his son at multiple campouts.
“It’s been great being a parent of a Scout; Scouts keep you busy as part of a community,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun to go camping with the Troop, including the trips and hikes.”
Goldman said he loved seeing Ryan work with younger Scouts to help them learn skills and move up through the ranks.
“Ryan really came into his own last summer as our Troop’s Senior Patrol Leader at Wente Scout Camp,” said Goldman. “It felt as if he turned into a leader right before my eyes.”
Boy Scouts Troop 57 is always open to new Scouts. “We welcome and encourage new members,” said Goldman. “Not only is it a great opportunity for youth to meet kids and go on fun outings, but it’s also a great way for parents to stay engaged with their kids as they become teenagers and start to move beyond their usual family social setting.”
Annabella Booth can be reached at annabellabooth@gmail.com.
