In a remarkable display of compassion and initiative, Joe Markland, a dedicated member of Troop 503, in the National Capital Area Council, based out of El Salvador, undertook an extraordinary Eagle Scout project that has touched the lives of countless families in his community. With a heartwarming mission to provide comfort during times of unimaginable loss, Joe built and donated ten meticulously crafted coffins for infants to local hospitals. This act of kindness is not only a testament to Joe’s character but also a significant step towards alleviating the hardships faced by impoverished families in El Salvador.
A Crucial Solution to a Heartbreaking Problem:
El Salvador’s stringent laws dictate that parents can only retrieve the bodies of their deceased children from hospitals if they have a proper coffin. Sadly, many economically disadvantaged families cannot afford this essential requirement, leading to a harrowing dilemma. Faced with financial limitations, parents are forced to make the agonizing choice between seeking medical assistance for their sick children and risking never seeing them again, or avoiding hospitals altogether, resulting in preventable deaths at home. It is within this distressing context that Joe’s Eagle Scout Project has brought a glimmer of hope.
Handmade with Love and Care:
Joe’s project involved the construction of ten handmade coffins, each specifically designed to cater to the needs of infant burials. With the help of his dedicated troop, Joe meticulously crafted each coffin, paying meticulous attention to detail. The coffins were not only beautifully stained but also featured custom designs and handmade pillows inside, providing a sense of solace and dignity to grieving families during their darkest hours.
Making a Life-Saving Impact:
The impact of Joe’s donation extends far beyond the tangible coffins themselves. By providing local hospitals with these precious caskets, Joe has helped save lives and fostered an environment of support and care for struggling families. Hospital administrators now have the means to proudly advertise that they offer free coffins, alleviating the fears and financial burdens that once deterred families from seeking medical assistance for their children. It is estimated that this initiative will save the lives of at least 100 children, enabling parents to overcome their fears and granting access to life-saving healthcare.
A Beacon of Light:
Joe Markland’s Eagle Scout project stands as a shining example of selflessness and compassion in action. By addressing a critical need within his community, he has not only demonstrated leadership skills but has also provided hope to those who need it most. Through his commitment and dedication, Joe has shown that even small acts of kindness can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals and communities.
Joe’s Eagle Scout project, centered around building handmade coffins for infants and donating them to local hospitals, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving others. By addressing a pressing issue within his community, Joe has brought peace, comfort, and renewed hope to countless families in El Salvador. His actions exemplify the transformative power of empathy and serve as an inspiration to all, reminding us that through compassion and determination, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
March 5th was a cold and windy day, but the Scouts’ rocket was ready to launch. After four weekends of meticulously gluing together fins, tubes, and nose cones, their custom built spacemodel was loaded with parachutes and a motor for its delicate mission. The rocket was specially designed to carry one Grade A hen’s egg to 850 feet and gently return to the ground in 45 seconds without breaking the egg, as part of the Scouts’ entry in the The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC) contest.
Some Scouts worked on the engine mount and payload section, while others designed and cut out the fins. They used a software program for altitude predictions to help the Scouts match the best motor for the mission. “I liked working out the calculations and figuring out which size motors would get us the most height.” said Chase R. who ran several altitude predictions.
The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Aquia District includes Stafford County, VA, and Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on Scouting in the Stafford/Fredericksburg area, including how to donate, join or volunteer, contact Kristy Freeman, Aquia District Executive, at Kristy.Freeman@Scouting.org or call (540)287-3866
As the Scouts gathered at the entrance to the Administration Building, they were greeted by a very important person in local government. Dr. Pamela Yeung, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, happened to be walking by and took the time to share wisdom and insights with the Scouts about the importance of community and her own support of their willingness to engage in Scouting and took photos with the Scouts.
From there, the Scouts visited the General District Court, Judge Angela O’Connor, presiding. In Judge O’Connor’s courtroom, the Scouts observed misdemeanor traffic cases. Judge O’Connor talked with the Scouts from the bench, answering a myriad of questions about criminal law and procedure. The Scouts learned about the differences between misdemeanor and felony cases, a jury versus a bench trial, and how the courtroom operates.
At Building Momentum, skillsets are taught in record time. As we write this, eight scouts are half-way through an 18-hour Innovation Academy Exploring Program designed to teach youth ages 15-22 skills in fabrication. This six session program focuses on: welding, 3d printing, robotics and coding.
When I walked into session three of the program, I wasn’t sure what to expect. If you’ve 3d printed before, you know that the printing itself is the driest and can go on for hours. At Building Momentum, the youth were not twiddling their thumbs though! They got into another experience while they waited: assembling 3d printers from new-in-box conditions. This offered an excellent understanding the components and mechanics of the printer.
In the first two sessions, scouts had already welded. Some kids welded together metal frogs, some wrote their name in metal. Not just to earn a merit badge, but to really develop confidence, comfort and skills holding a welder.
Summer Camps 
Students will get the real-world experience of time management while completing several hands-on projects throughout the week. This is a fast-paced camp best for students who are eager to learn and put in the hard work.
NCAC’s Potomac District held its monthly Eagle Board of Review this week, welcoming eight new Eagle Scouts!
