San Benito Stage Company (SBSC) was the benefactor of Brandon Burchard’s Eagle Service Project in November, 2013.
Brandon has been acting in San Benito Stage Company productions since he was six years old. He knew he wanted to do his Eagle service project to help out the Company, so when the time came he presented his idea to the SBSC Board of Directors. Stage Company board member Allen Schneider volunteered to help Brandon with his Eagle Scout Service Project.
“The Stage Company recently acquired a new set warehouse that needed shelving built”, said Schneider, “this seemed like a great project that could be a good fit for both the Stage Company and Brandon’s Eagle Project.”
Master carpenter Tony Schneider, who helped design and build many of the Stage Company’s sets for their productions worked with Brandon to draw up a design that would work. He also helped formulate the list of supplies needed and that set the project in motion.
After receiving approval on his project from the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of the Boys Scouts and the San Benito District Eagle Scout Board led by Andrew Shelton, Brandon got right to work with many of his fellow scouts and adult leaders from Troop 436. They were able to build the frames to this large 4 ft. by 10 ft. storage unit at Sean Miller’s workshop, a local woodworker who volunteered to help Brandon as his Eagle project advisor.
“Brandon was very organized and easy to work with during the planning process,” Miller said, “he was motivated and had a nice way of asking the scouts for help, I enjoyed working as his project advisor.”
The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank in scouting. Less than 2% of all scouts reach this rank. Brandon sat for his Board of Review in December, 2013. This review process is sometimes compared to a job interview where the scout is asked questions about the planning process and the implementation process of his service project as well as general questions about his road to the Eagle rank and his plans for the future within scouting, college and beyond.
“My experience in scouting over the past nine years has been a great learning experience with lots of fun, travel to camps, and learning outdoor skills with my friends, says Burchard. This service project was difficult, but with the advice of my parents and Mr. Miller, my Eagle Scout advisor, I feel more confident and capable to take on difficult tasks and completing them in the future.”
When Burchard was asked to name one highlight during his time in scouting, he noted, “my trip to South Dakota to attend Lewis and Clark Scout Reservation for summer camp in 2010 with a group of 12 scouts and leaders from my troop, Troop 436, was amazing. We also got a rare opportunity to do the public flag ceremony at Mt. Rushmore in Rapid City, SD, which is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Brandon plans to stay involved in scouting and continuing to receive Eagle palms for achieving additional merit badges as he learns and explores new and different interests.