By Elena Coe-McNamara
Staff Writer
Mira Costa junior Hunter Bernard sets high goals and aims to become an Eagle Scout by completing the renovation of the oldest building in Manhattan Beach.
Bernard’s Eagle Scout project consists of renovating the oldest building in Manhattan Beach, built in 1911. Bernard is repairing woodwork on the outside of the building and repairing holes in the foundation.
“I love this project because I am able to help out the Manhattan Beach historical society with a project that they have been trying to work on for a few years and would not be able to complete without my help,” Bernard said.
Bernard chose this project because he wanted to help the Historical Society and the committee had been stressing to him that it was something they needed to be done for a while. In addition, every boy scout needs to do a project in order to become ranked an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank that a boy scout can earn.
“This project makes me feel like a much better person because I know I’m doing something that matters,” Bernard said. “I’m helping people get stuff done who can’t do it all themselves because they might be older or just unable.”
Bernard’s favorite part of the project is that he was able to do something for other people and become an Eagle Scout. In order to become an Eagle Scout, a Life Rank boy scout, the rank below Eagle, must complete a project that serves his community, as well as earn 21 merit badges and serve six months in a troop leadership position.
“I really want to become an Eagle Scout because I’ve spent so much time in boy scouts that it’s really what it all leads up to,” Bernard said. “Also, being an Eagle Scout looks super amazing to colleges.”
Bernard says the hardest part of the project was that he had to get multiple approvals from different branches of the cities government, as well as from the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.
“Getting the approvals was a really tedious process,” Bernard said. “We weren’t able to do anything until we had everything signed off and approved, so there was a lot of waiting time.”
Bernard has been a part of the boy scout program for five years, continuously moving through the different ranks, one through seven, each with its own clever name. Each rank has different requirements in order to move to the next, such as certain badges or/and an amount of service hours benefiting their community.
“I think boy scouts is a great way for people to make new friends while reaching out to the community,” Bernard said.
Originally, Bernard entered the boy scout program because his father thought it would be good for him to meet new people. Later on, Bernard made the individual choice to stick with Boy Scouts for the next few years because he recognized that it gave him many outdoor and general life skills and has helped him in many situations, such as building fires, or helping someone when hurt.
“I know that boy scouts has taught me so much and it has taught me how to behave in certain situations,” Bernard said. “As well, I know life skills like building a fire, and also safety tips, that help me in my social life when I am with friends and someone gets hurt.”
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