Brandon Boozer believes Scouting has provided experiences not to be found anywhere else. Now he has a unique distinction as an Eagle Scout.
The 16-year-old Independence Township resident was honored on April 10 at a Court of Honor at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church. A member of Troop 199, Boozer has been a Boy Scout for six years, after enjoying Cub Scouts for four years.
He joined Cub Scouts shortly after his family moved to the Clarkston area.
‘The first really solid friends I ever made when I moved out here? were in Scouting, he said. ‘It turned out to be a good experience.?
Only about 4 percent of those who join Boy Scouts achieve the Eagle rank, and Boozer admits it was a challenge.
‘It’s such a long and drawn-out process,? he said. ‘Keeping up the motivation you started with throughout the thing was probably my biggest obstacle.?
One of the toughest requirements of Scouting’s highest award is organizing and coordinating a major service project. He chose to build a deck at the home of the Dominican Sisters of Mt. Thabor Monastery in Ortonville.
Boozer and other Scouts were already in the habit of helping the nuns with cleanup of their property.
‘They had this really nice back of their house that went down to a nice lake, but it was kind of unusable because of the grade of the land,? he said. ‘I thought, ‘Someone should put a deck there.??
Boozer earned 32 merit badges, exceeding the required 21. His favorites were in the ‘high adventure? category, such as shotgun shooting and whitewater rafting. Indeed, his favorite activities have been travels with his troop across the country for horseback riding, canoe trips, rapelling and mountain biking.
This summer, the troop will head to Florida for a week of sailing.
‘The program provides so many different experiences,? he said.
Boozer is also active at St. Dan’s and in school activities. A junior at Clarkston High School, he is a member of the National Honor Society and a scholar athlete. He also is a member of the band, ?11 Letters Long,? which has played at Clarkston’s Concerts in the Park and other venues.
‘I’m a jack of trades as far as hobbies go, but it provides you with a broad experience of life,? he said.
Scouting is not considered the most popular activity by everyone, but Boozer said he’s never met anyone openly opposed to it.
‘Sure, people make the common stereotypical jokes once in awhile, but as long as you take it as a joke, it’s fine,? he said. ‘I’ve never found anybody that I don’t like in this program.?
Scouting will continue to be part of Boozer’s life throughout high school. His college plans include a major in engineering, and he believes the title of Eagle Scout will be a benefit in the future.
‘It’s a symbol of achievement,? he said. ‘It gives you a unique classification. I know when I’ve met people with [the Eagle rank], I think differently of them.?