Every Boy Scout that wishes to achieve an Eagle Scout title must complete all their requirements for the program and create a specific project. The project revolves around something meaningful to the scout.
Sean Regan, a VCU freshman, and Godwin Alum created a project that would benefit the Godwin music department. He made shadow boxes to display the past uniforms of Godwin’s marching band.
“My Eagle project was building three shadow boxes to display the two previous and the current marching band uniforms,” said Regan.
For each potential project, the Scout goes through a thorough planning process. Regan’s first step was writing a proposal which outlined his idea for the project to determine the supplies that he would need.
“This proposal was approved by certain Scout leaders before I moved on to writing the project plan, which outlined the project in extreme detail,” said Regan.
After the plan was finalized, he recruited a team of volunteers to help build his project.
The goal of the Eagle projects is to enhance and demonstrate a Scouts’ leadership abilities.
“The purpose of an Eagle project is to give a Scout an opportunity to spearhead a project and execute it himself, demonstrating leadership and many other skills along the way,” said Regan.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is more than completing a simple project. It involves many other tasks.
“To become an Eagle Scout, a Scout must progress through all of the ranks of scouting, receive at least 21 merit badges (some Eagle required), complete a scoutmaster conference, and pass a board of review,” said Regan.
During Regan’s board review, he realized the significance of becoming an Eagle Scout.
“The tremendous, lifelong accomplishment of being an Eagle Scout sunk in [during my board review],” said Regan.
Regan knew from a young age that he wanted to become an Eagle Scout. He was spurred forth by all of the different experiences and adventures it offered him throughout his life.
Through his Eagle Scout project, he learned how to lead a group on a large scale.
“I can look back on the three boxes that I made and know I was the one who made it happen and that it will benefit the band for many years to come,” said Regan.
Senior Nate Stevenson also completed his service project to become an Eagle Scout.
Stevenson wanted to become an Eagle Scout because he wanted to earn the highest award in scouting and because he wanted to contribute to the community around him.
Stevenson had a multipart project that involved helping in many ways around Discovery United Methodist Church.
“My first portion of the project involved removing bushes from an overcrowded garden and planting new bushes in the area,” said Stevenson.
The next part of his project involved helping the preschoolers at Discovery United Methodist Church.
“The second portion of the project involved constructing miniature picnic tables for the preschoolers at the church,” said Stevenson.
He had around twenty people helping him on both of the days.
Stevenson continued in the Scouts because he saw that he could make progress and really sharpen his own leadership skills while also giving to his community.
Eagle Scouts are expected to live the Scout oath and law in their everyday lives. Sometimes it can be difficult to always follow the Scout law.
“It can be hard to implement Scout law in your life. Being cheerful can be difficult at times,” said Stevenson.
For Regan, the hardest part about the Scout law is being brave.
“One thing that I would like to do more often is take risks and try new things. As an Eagle Scout in college, I hope that I will live up to the Scout oath and law and be sure to be brave throughout my new experiences,” said Regan.
Being an Eagle Scout is truly a high honor for anyone in the scouts. It has many aspects that must be adhered to.
Both Stevenson and Regan illustrate this with their projects. Regan says how if he could give younger scouts any advice on their projects it would be to make sure it is truly something they care about.
“There is a lot of hard work that goes into the planning and execution of an Eagle project, so you need to be sure that you will be satisfied with the finished project through to the end,” said Regan.
You must be sure that you are satisfied with the action and outcome of your project. There are many facets of being a Scout, and for those that achieve them, gain a lifelong experience that they will never forget.
“An Eagle project is first and foremost a reflection of a Scouts leadership abilities and a demonstration of a Scouts willingness to give back to a certain beneficiary,” said Regan.
