Isaac Ekstrom – National Scout Reserve Scholarship Award Winner

I’m proud of Isaac for earning the 2019 Scouts – Summit Bechtel Reserve Scholarship in honor of Dan McCarthy. The Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR) Staff Association awarded $2,000 to the 2019 recipients. Isaac served as a Manager of the Canopy Ropes Course and also as Ranger at Large for the High Ropes and Canopy Tour Program.  This program is considered the World's largest Aerial Adventure park in the World according to creator, Bonsai Design, Inc. 

Isaac was charged with helping run the zip lines across 12 Canopy Tours that stretched across the backwoods of the sprawling 10,000 acre Summit Bechtel property. Rain or shine, Isaac was tasked with the safety and well-being of his zip-line guests and often worked in less-than-hospitable conditions. He would often be tasked with early-morning inspections of the lines for fallen trees and problems with equipment for the course. This led to Isaac being promoted as the caretaker of the High Ropes and Canopy courses as Ranger for his last year at camp.  

The 12 Canopy tours were built from nearly 15 miles of cable, providing 3.5 lineal miles of aerial adventure, and included 60 individual zip lines. Isaac took extensive training in order to manage the ropes course and provide safe travel for thousands of guests during his entire tenure. Managing this large of a course demands excellent communication skills, physical strength and the ability to be calm under pressure.

The Canopy is a tree-to-tree adventure that gives Scouts and Venturers a new way to connect with the environment. The course was put together by Bonsai Design, Incorporated, a world-class zip-line and adventure course creator. Isaac has a gift of persevering in the midst of hardship and especially likes a challenge.

Isaac worked at Camp Tapico in Kalkaska Michigan before moving on the the Summit Bechtel Scout Reservation. Hang around Isaac and you'll find he is determined, smart, loyal and driven to succeed.

Isaac served as our Troops Senior Patrol Leader and was passionate about getting things done. And leading others to do more than they thought possible. Isaac was innovative in his leadership style, led by example and was especially looked up to for his ability to teach core skills and outdoor survival and backcountry skills.

Isaac earned the rank of Eagle Scout at Troop 192 in Davisburg, Michigan in 2016.

1978 Jeep Expedition of the Americas - Jeep Song

The 1978 Jeep Expedition of the Americas was an ambitious 21,000 mile trip from the southern tip of South America to uppermost tip of Alaska. Mark Smith and his team of partners took stock Jeep CJ-7 and Wagoneers to accomplish this feat. But why did they do it? They were not sponsored by any company and put up their own money for the expedition. A five month excursion. The resounding message in this clip was "for the thrill of it." They put their Yankee ingenuity and Jeep equipment to the test, especially when crossing the wild Darien Gap. These explorers did it so they could enjoy the adventure for its own sake. They did it all for the pure joy and adventure of just doing it.

A song at the 16:14 mark carries the message though of this amazing adventure:

There’s a spot that finds its way

into a special kind of man

that lights a fire deep in his soul

that tells him “yes you can.”

He can get out from behind his desk

And go try something new

Driving up the side of the world

Is just the thing to do.

Cause he’s driven by a dream

A rainbow is his guide

He get’s his strength from mother earth

And a billion starry lights

He’s driven by a dream

Crossing rivers, climbing trees

To turn the heartaches and the joys

Into treasured … memories.

This spark becomes a torch

And is passed from man to man

You can see it in their faces

As they go lend a hand

Each step makes him taller

And fills his heart with pride

When your driving up the side of the world

You take it all in stride

Properly secure all cargo.

A very versatile Jeep CJ-5. That's a full-size trophy Elk in the back. Thanks to Jeff Lampe of the Journal Star for posting.

Living the Jeep Life

Harold Stephens in his new Willys Jeep 4x4 in front of the capitol in Washington, D.C. - prior to sending it overseas on his world-wide adventure.

The Jeep brand has always been marketed as a vehicle that enables the driver to "Go Anywhere, Do Anything. Harold Stephens took that spirit and lived it to the fullest. Stephens was in the Marines and stationed in China during World War II when his life-long adventure with Jeep vehicles began. He and a buddy "borrowed" a Jeep and explored along the Great Wall of China.

Stephens and his bright-red Willys Jeep 4x4 traveled the globe through Southeast Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia. His collective tales were sold to Argosy Magazine and later printed in his many books.

Check out Stephens website to learn more about his many adventures in his Willys Jeep 4x4.

Top 20 List: Why Boy Scouts Camp in Cold Weather

Our Boy Scout Troop went cold-weather camping this past weekend. I posted a photo on Facebook. A friend asked, "Why on earth are you camping when it's so cold??"Good question.

It didn't take long to come up with my Top 20 List:

1. Because it builds boys into men.
2. Because your "100 craziest things I've ever done" needs improvement.
3. Because it beats playing video games alone.
4. Because your best buddies are doing it.
5. Because you like it when your clothes smell like an oak-seasoned fire.
6. Because you can sleep in a warm bed anytime.
7. Because extreme anything is cool.
8. Because microwaved s'mores just don't taste right.
9. Because snow happens.
10. Because jokes are funnier when your sitting around a fire.
11. Because training for signs of hypothermia and frostbite in the summer just seems weird.
12. Because life knowledge is different than book knowledge.
13. Because there are no mosquitoes.
14. Because surviving is fun.
15. Because it tests what your made of.
16. Because experience counts.
17. Because being prepared is a way of life.
    
18. Because it toughens the spirit.
19. Because it invigorates the soul.
20. Because it's what Boy Scouts do.

Boy Scouts of America is celebrating 100 Years of Scouting in 2010.