The Eagle

What does it mean to be an Eagle Scout? How does one become an Eagle Scout?   Why does it require a project? These are common questions to someone who     hasn’t achieved the rank of Eagle. We celebrate when a Scout is decorated with the Eagle Scout rank. We give gifts and have a party. But what happens before the party? How much does a Scout really have to accomplish in order to earn the rank that only 6% of Scouts have the honor of claiming?

Logan Mathewson driving to the top

Bluffton Scout navigates pandemic on way to Eagle rank

For Troop 256 Eagle Scout Logan Mathewson his path in Scouting has led him down the road toward his future.

He has obtained the ultimate in Scouting and continues to map out his direction through the roadblocks of Covid-19, while along staying focused on completing his path to Eagle Scout.

The Bluffton teen drove his attention toward an Eagle Scout project to benefit Campus Life in Bluffton. He started his project in April 2019 with a team of volunteers. The plan was to build a shed, improve the grounds on the sight, paint it and put shelves on the building. They removed a few inches of soil with heavy equipment and shovels and then had 20 yards of stone delivered. They also provided additional room for more storage in the building. The shed has enhanced the youth group in Bluffton.

Logan had his Eagle Board of Review in April 2020 online.

“It was not ideal having it through Zoom but it was a lot better than nothing,” Logan shared, thanking Mike Metzger past Scoutmaster and other unit leaders in Troop 256 for preparing him very well for his Eagle Scout Boards.

Not only did Logan earn his Eagle, but he also stayed active and earned a Bronze, Gold and Silver Palms.

During his Scouting time, Logan first joined camp staff at Camp Lakota in 2017 as CIT. In 2018 he was on kitchen staff and in 2019 outdoor skills and handicraft. Then in 2020 he was on a leader for the online Summer Camp program in Black Swamp Area Council.

Some of his most memorable programs were helping with Lakota’s outbound program. There was a time where he and his patrol were dropped off and they had to venture back to camp.

“Being in the wilderness and having to build shelters to sleep under it was a lot of fun,” he shared.

Finishing his senior year with the pandemic, was challenging. Wearing masks all day and trying to communicate with a barrier around everyone’s face was not ideal, but he said it was great to be back in school and in person.

“Though being quarantined for precautionary measures was not fun in October 2020,” he added. “I could only spend so much time on Zoom classes as it is not the same as being in the classroom.”

Recently, Logan earned his commercial driver’s license (CDL permit) in May and is mapping out his future. He plans to drive in the Lima Area with Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for seasonal work such as plowing snow in the winter, moving gravel around road improvement, as well as other assignments. Logan would like to get some experience working for the state, but in time he would like to serve in the Navy. Being an equipment operator in the SEABEES (construction battalion). 

If you have an Eagle Scout you’d like to see featured,
please contact Jim Mason at  jim.mason@scouting.org

Scouting in the Black Swamp Area Council began in 1915 when the Scouting program was introduced to the young people of West Central and Northwestern Ohio. More than 5,400 individuals are participating in the local program as a Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers and adult volunteers. In 2020, these individuals participated in 8,069 hours of community service. For more information about finding Scouting near you, visit BeAScout.org