Gilbert
Meet Gilbert
What did you do for you Eagle Scout Project?
My Eagle Scout Project was a landscaping renovation project of a Marian Shrine at Saint James Catholic Church in Franklin, Wisconsin. This renovation project consisted of cutting down five trees, trimming another tree, removing several weeds, recycling two old benches, grinding nine stumps, breaking up an old flagstone patio, breaking ground nine inches deep for a new path and patio, killing remnant weeds, filling paver base and torpedo sand in the broken ground, installing the new clay paver path and patio, applying weed cloth to the surrounding area, adding a stone border, planting six day lilies, planting four evergreen trees, applying mulch, power washing the shrine, adding path lights, adding spotlights, repainting a Saint Francis statue, and hand building two new benches. In total, this project costed $3,780 and took thirty five volunteer workers seven hundred and one hours of service work to complete the project over the course of roughly three months.
What Was you favorite memory in scouting?
My favorite scouting memory was at Philmont Scout ranch while we were in the backcountry. We were on the trail to our next stop for the day when we were rushing to make it to our destination so that we could rest. All of the scouts and adults were exhausted, but two of the younger adult leaders stopped our trek from chugging along because they found a small area on the side to view the scenery. We all eventually stopped to see the view, and this was one of the most beautiful places of scenery I have even seen in my scouting carrier. We took a nice, long break here to take photos and rest. While we were resting, the oldest adult leader says to us "See what happens when you rush from place to place, you miss views like this. Philmont isn't always about just getting to the next camp." He also told us to take it slow and enjoy the view because the view is more than half of what the trip is about. This has been one of the most important pieces of advice I've gotten from scouting, and has been my favorite scouting memory.
What Does being and Eagle Scout mean to you?
To me, being an Eagle Scout is an honor as well as a challenge. Being an Eagle Scout is an honor because it is a formal recognition for you as an honorable, hard worker who is a strong leader and dedicated to his community. The title and rank of Eagle Scout is not free though, being an Eagle Scout is also a challenge to you when you achieve the rank, but also for the rest of your life. Many institutions will hold you to a higher standard than your peers because you have proven yourself as an individual who can be held to that standard. This standard means continuing to be a leader, and make the right choices that may not be what everyone else decides is what choice they want you to make. The rank of Eagle Scout is a recognition of your character, but also a challenge to maintain this character for your fellow Eagle Scouts, the honor of the title "Eagle Scout", and for yourself.
