Local youth tackles Eagle Scout project

Brian Henson, 16, a junior at Sisters High School, recently completed the lion's share of his Eagle Scout project. On Saturday, November 20, he organized 25 fellow Scouts to build an access stairway and improve some landscaping at the First United Methodist Church of Bend, Troop 21's meeting place.

Eagle Scout projects are designed to test the management and organizational skills of the Scout. While the physical work is sometimes completed in a day, planning begins many months in advance. Henson began that process last spring and communicated regularly with an oversight committee. Precise documentation is one of the requirements, and according to Don Pederson, a member of the church board of trustees and Henson's liaison, Henson's paperwork was top-quality.

"It was a fairly complicated project, and Brian worked real hard to figure out what we wanted," said Pederson.

Henson used a 3-D design program called Auto Desk Inventor to design the staircase. He was enrolled in the Intro to Engineering and Design class at Sisters High School, taught by Tony Cosby. In class, Henson learned how to use the program and the Eagle Scout venture taught him the real-world skills needed to bring it from concept to usable form.

Fundraising is an integral part of any project, and Henson spent time garnering support from several businesses in Central Oregon. Hoyt's Building Supply, Sisters Storage and Rental, Lowe's of Bend, Mike's Fence Center, Willamette Graystone and Swift Steel all contributed supplies at no cost or deeply discounted. Henson also spoke to the church congregation, explaining the project and seeking donations.

"He made it clear that any extra would go back into the church discretionary fund, and he did it with great poise and presence," said Pederson.

The main focus of the project was the staircase, but Henson decided to include the landscaping and some general clean-up in order to involve more scouts, who gained community service credits.

All that remains now, said Henson, is a rigorous review by the committee overseeing the project.