Scouting Troop 33 Montecito Awards Four Scouts at Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony

Scout Troop 33 Montecito has a rare ranking among scouting factions across the U.S. in its percentage of scouts who rise through the ranks and become an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in scouting. Scout Troop 33 has mentored and awarded 81 scouts in their troop to Eagle Scout. To place that in proper perspective, in the U.S., 6 to 7% of all scouts achieve the Scouting America’s highest rank. 

The leaders of Scout Troop 33 Montecito are Scoutmaster Nathan Camp, and Assistant Scoutmaster Telford Work. In conjunction with Santa Barbara’s American Legion Post 49 DTSB, they held an official Eagle Court of Honor Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 1, for four scouts who did the work and made it to Eagle Scout: 

Leo Brownstein, senior at SB High School; William Covington, freshman at Westmont College; and two seniors at San Marcos High School, Dylan Seawards and Noah Slotnick-Lastrico. An Eagle Court of Honor is a special ceremony held to recognize and honor Scouts who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Camp said, “I’m incredibly proud of the hard work each of these Eagle Scouts put into their projects. Scouting is such a unique program for youth development. It gives our young people a chance to learn and develop communication, leadership, coaching, and teamwork, usually while exploring our backcountry on incredible trips. Each of these Scouts used every one of these skills as they worked on their projects for the benefit of many different organizations in our community.”

In their own words, the new Eagle Court of Honor Scouts share their journey with our readers:

Leo Brownstein:“I began Scouting in 4th grade and joined Troop 33 in 2019. What I have appreciated most are the mentors I’ve found through Scouting. My Eagle Project was for American Legion Post 49 and involved community events on proper U.S. Flag Retirement and Etiquette. I am honored that my project has been selected as the Service Project of the Year for the Los Padres Council. When I reflect on it, I realize how much I learned about creating and working as part of a team. With support from so many unexpected sources, I learned a lot about what it takes to be a leader. Next year I will be heading to college in Washington state.”

William Covington: “I joined Troop 33 in January 2019, initially drawn in by friends in the troop as well as backpacking trips. I loved the time with other scouts, adventuring in the outdoors, gaining new skills through hands-on experience, and learning to work together as a group. Some of my favorite trips were to Death Valley, the Sierra trip, and Joshua Tree. My Eagle Project involved installing terraced steps onto a section of the Paul Willis Trail (Westmont College), making it safer for the many people who regularly enjoy hiking it. I currently attend Westmont College where I run for the cross country and track teams.”

Dylan Seawards: “I started as a Cub Scout in Pack 11 at age 5. I stuck with it because of my friends and the Pinewood Derby! In Troop 33, completing my first Sierra ‘50-miler’ as a chubby 13-year-old taught me nothing is impossible. This helped me later sail my tiny boat in 30-knot winds, climb treacherous rocks, bike down steep mountains, and construct a giant kiosk for the Ennisbrook Trail for the Montecito Trail Foundation as my Eagle Project. Scouts ignited a spark for adventure that will always stick with me.”

Noah Slotnick-Lastrico: “My journey to Eagle started as a Bobcat in Pack 11, all the way back when I was six. I fell in love with the outdoors, which led to one of the most rewarding and adventurous experiences of my life, completing a (literally) breathtaking five-day-trek through the Sierra Nevada. Scouting has taught me to not be afraid to get my hands dirty to make a difference. This led me to create a natural cob mosaic bench as my Eagle Project for my old school, Washington Elementary. Next year, I plan to study biology to pursue a career as a physician, to serve others in the meaningful way that Scouting has taught me to do.”  

#MontecitoProud !

411: Interested in Scouting for boys and girls? Call Scoutmaster Camp: 808-450-2785