Celebrating the Boy Scout Anniversary

“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law….”

On Feb. 8, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) celebrated 98 years since their incorporation. Over the years, the BSA has taught values to over 111 million young men, including former President Gerald Ford, actor Michael Kahn, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar– and one Casselton hometown hero, Brand Nelson.

Sixteen-year old Nelson has been in Boy Scouts’ Troop 242 for five years and has earned 19 badges. But more importantly, he has learned many life lessons during this time. 

“I learned self reliance, especially through camping. You can’t expect people to come through to support you on things,” Nelson said.

His greatest and most exciting challenge has been his project for the Eagle Scout badge, the top honor for a Boy Scout. This service project, focused on a community need, requires approval from the Scoutmaster, troop committee and council. It also requires the scout provide leadership in the implementation of the project.

Nelson stumbled upon the idea for his project while talking to the Casselton librarian, Beverly Draeger.  She suggested that he look into making a new library book drop. A milk crate, which had served as the book drop at that time, just was not completely effective.

“Books could get damaged or stolen,” Nelson said.

Nelson began the extensive work on the project in January 2005. The first tasks were research and design.  Draeger and Nelson looked at several examples in vendor magazines, until Nelson choose a design that he liked. Although Nelson would not be able to completely replicate it because that piece was made out of steel.

“He had to do a lot of adaptation,” Draeger said.

Nelson also had to seek donations for the materials, which were an unexpected $300. He worked with area businesses for their pledge of support. Several businesses came through with materials and financial support including Casselton Lumber, Maple River Winery, K & B Welding and Dusty’s Tavern. These businesses are also showcased in a frame atop the book drop.

In the summer of 2005, Nelson was ready to get a crew assembled to put together the book drop.  Ten people, including his troop leader and other Boy Scouts in his troop, gathered to work under the direction of Nelson. The project was completed in about one month of working on the weekends.

Not all went as expected during the construction, including the measurements being off. However, Nelson was able to adapt and learned life lessons along the way.

“Stay calm. Look at the problem and find a solution that works the best,” he said.

Through this experience, Nelson’s confidence increased.

“You can do stuff like this and it’s not hard if you set your mind to it,” he said.

A fact that has been reinforced through BSA research that states 71 percent of all who have been a Boy Scout attribute part of their self-confidence to the Boy Scout experiences.

Today, the Casselton Library books now have a safe home, something that would have taken the library much longer to afford had it not been for this Boy Scout.

“We just couldn’t do it on a limited budget,” Draeger said.

Nelson must still earn 1 ½ badges (to have the 21 required), complete paperwork and go through a board review of his project before officially receiving the Eagle Scout award.

Other requirements for the award (already completed by Nelson) include living by the Scout oath daily, active work in the Life Scouts for at least 6 months, holding a position of in the categories of Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout team or Venturing crew and taking part in a Scoutmaster conference.

He hopes to receive the award this summer.

An accomplishment that he and the five percent of Boy Scouts who earn the Eagle Scout award, do not take for granted.