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.

Samuel Ekstrom - National Scout Reserve Scholarship Award Winner

I'm proud of Samuel for earning the 2017 Scouts - Summit Bechtel Reserve Scholarship in honor of Dan McCarthy. The Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR) Staff Association awarded $2,000 to the 2017 recipients. Samuel served as the Aquatics Director at the waterfront for camp and used the scholarship to help pay for his last year at Central Michigan University.

Samuel Ekstrom was the Lead Professional Lifeguard and Lead Instructor for all Aquatics related programs at Summit Bechtel Reserve - James C. Justice Summer Camp.

Sam was responsible for developing an advancement program, training/supervising staff and overall responsibility for the well-being of all participants taking part in any aquatics activity including Paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, water reality and fishing. 

 The waterfront at the James C. Justice National Scout Camp at SBR is the busiest in the nation. His responsibilities including overseeing all aquatics activities for the Senior Scout Camp, Appalachian Adventure programs on Goodrich Lake. 

The waterfront had as many as 800 scouts in attendance at any one time, with professional staff and volunteer staff under Samuel's leadership and supervision. 

Samuel attended the BSA National Camping School and received his Aquatics Director certification in order to take on this significant aquatics and management position.

This year he worked as a Manager at the waterfront and completed his Marketing/Advertising internship at SBR by working as a Media Content Creator. Samuel shot photos and video at SBR to help promote the program on all media and social channels.  

Sam shot photos and video for Facebook, Instagram and more for the 2018 year for Summit Bechtel. 

Prior to working as the Aquatics Director, Sam worked at the Shooting Sports Academy as an NRA certified Rifle and Shotgun instructor. Sam helped scouts and visiting guests to camp experience and develop their rifle, shotgun, muzzle loader, pistol and archery skills.