Five Newly Promoted Eagle Scouts for Austin’s Troop 5

By Anne DeVries

This spring, a Court of Honor ceremony took place at the State Capitol, honoring five outstanding young men from Troop 5 who reached the rank of Eagle Scout. David Erickson, John Erickson, Max Francisco, Michael Poole, and Calder Randolph were joined by family and friends to commemorate the occasion.

Boy Scout Troop 5, founded in 1911, stands as one of the oldest Boy Scout troops in the United States and is believed to be the oldest continuously chartered scout troop in Texas. Meetings for the troop, which currently number over 70 members, are held at First United Methodist Church on Lavaca Street.

Achieving the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, held by only approxi- mately 6 percent of all Boy Scouts, is a monumental accomplishment that demands consistent pursuit, exceptional organization, and the development of leadership skills. Badge and rank requirements must be completed before the age of 18.

DAVID ERICKSON

David’s project provided the kids at the Helping Hand Home an improved place to play by installing sod on their baseball field. It also helped beautify the grounds at the Helping Hand Home. The biggest challenge for the project was the weather. The planned date for the project coincided with the freeze this year, preventing the grass from being available, rescheduling the workday, his volunteers, and the material procurement allowed for completion. David is grateful to his dad, grandparents, and troop for their help in completing his project.

JOHN ERICKSON

John improved a community garden for veterans at Camp Mabry by spreading several tons of mulch across the walkways between raised gardening beds and adding seedlings and small plants to garden beds. The Camp Mabry garden provides veterans a location to grow plants and vegetables while fostering community and promoting sustainability. Last-minute changes requested by project beneficiaries required reorganizing and altered execution of the project and provided challenges that John addressed as needed. He is grateful for the help provided by his fellow volunteers in completing his project.

MAX FRANCISCO

Max helped improve the community gardens at Camp Mabry by rebuilding a dozen garden plots using 1x8 wood pieces, removing all of the overgrowth and weeds from the old beds, and putting new sod in place to prepare them for use by Camp Mabry patrons. Max learned the importance of measuring to ensure the wood pieces were the correct size and that a strong work crew benefits a project requiring many wheel barrel trips to move weeds and debris.

MICHAEL POOLE

Michael constructed a pergola in the courtyard at Barton Creek

Elementary School made of 100% rough cedar lumber. He also built a butterfly garden in the courtyard, which includes seven large flower beds filled with butterfly-attracting plants. Michael learned that projects don’t always progress as expected and may require adjustments. He enjoyed engaging as a leader of the project and the enthusiasm of the workgroup.

CALDER RANDOLPH

Calder constructed a pergola with picnic tables and minor landscaping at LASA. The pergola allows vines to grow and creates a shaded area for students to enjoy. Calder faced numerous challenges, including making steel base plates and saddles for the pergola structure. He learned that one must plan well to reach an ambitious goal.