By Amy Shanahan; courtesy photos

Attaining the rank of eagle scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an honor that only a small percentage of scouts receive. However, the Castle Pines community is home to a large number of these young men who have shown the commitment and leadership necessary to achieve the rank.

During the last year, Sedalia Troop 637 has awarded the rank of eagle scout to several young men, all who met the requirements. These include earning a minimum of 21 merit badges, demonstrating leadership and scout spirit, completing an extensive service project, and passing the eagle scout board of review.

Jackson Fox joined the BSA in 2005 while in fifth grade and worked hard for the next eight years to achieve the rank of eagle scout. Fox says he treasures the opportunities he was given as a scout. “Being a scout has allowed me to experience a lot of things that I don’t think the average kid gets to experience anymore.  I have countless memories of camping trips, merit badges, and events that I treasure that I probably would not have been exposed to if I was not a scout,” said Fox.  “I love the outdoors and scouting, especially in troop 637, which really showed me some incredible experiences in the outdoors that I never would have seen alone.”

Fox completed an extensive eagle project by installing a below-ground sprinkler system and planting trees for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). Fox worked with Stephen Zotos at the DCSO to come up with the project and worked on it for a year and a half from concept to completion. Fox explained, “The Sheriff’s Office often has projects that need doing, and Mr. Zotos and I came up with the sprinklers after some discussion.” 

The project itself involved planning a sprinkler scheme, installing and burying all of the sprinkler heads for the system, planting and stabilizing six trees, and then mulching over the trees.  The project took nearly three full work days, and about 1,210 man hours.  The sprinkler system now operates well, and the trees help with the visual appeal of the building.

Fox graduated from Regis Jesuit High School last spring and is currently a freshman at the University of Notre Dame.

Jack Bock was a cub scout at an early age and became a boy scout at age 11. Bock has clearly enjoyed his experiences with BSA. “I have enjoyed the many experiences scouting has offered,” he said. “For example, the amazing campouts that I have been able to attend such as High Adventure Camp Sea Base, the National Jamboree 100 Years of Scouting trip, and campouts solely with the troop such as wilderness survival.”

Bock’s eagle project was built for Nature’s Educators, an organization in Aurora that specializes in birds of prey. Bock designed and built a falcon enclosure, in which a show bird by the name of Turbo lives during the summers. Bock described his project further, “I designed it to be completely removable in panels in case they ever change locations. I also built and designed two bird perches for them to use at showings. The project involved lots of planning in order to minimize the mess ups and lots of man power along with wood. It took the span of three weeks to finish it, working mainly on the weekends with scouts and touching it with my family on weekdays. The end response was fantastic. I believe it turned out great, and the organization seemed to love both the enclosure and the stands and both are in regular use!”

Bock is currently a senior at Rock Canyon High School. After graduation, Bock will attend the University of Michigan and plans to study Chinese language and culture, and attend the business school to study international business.

Sam Martin achieved the rank of eagle scout at a fairly young age, as he is currently in ninth grade at Rock Canyon High School. Martin joined the BSA at the end of his fifth grade year and has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the organization. “I’ve enjoyed going on different camping trips, such as backpacking trips in the mountains, climbing a 14er, whitewater rafting, cave camping, canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota, and I am looking forward to a trip this summer to the Florida Keys,” Martin remarked.

Martin also worked with Stephen Zotos from the DCSO to come up with his eagle project, which he completed for the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility in Littleton. Martin explained, “Mr. Zotos asked me to do some research and find photos and artifacts that would help decorate the walls and classrooms at the facility.  I contacted 64 agencies that use the facility and asked them to contribute artifacts and photos.  I ended up with 32 artifacts and photos and had them framed and archived.  I started the project last summer and finished up in October.  I can say that the project turned out great and I have gotten a positive response.  I will be having my Court of Honor Ceremony there soon.” Martin enjoys his science classes at school and in his spare time he plays soccer and golf.

Congratulations to all of these young men on their tremendous achievement.

Eagle Scout Jackson Fox.
(Photo courtesy of Jackson Fox)

Eagle Scout Jack Bock.
(Photo courtesy of Jack Bock)

Eagle Scout Sam Martin.
(Photo courtesy of Cynthia Martin)