Harrison Township Scout builds his way to Eagle

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Becoming an Eagle Scout is the crowning achievement of anyone who joins the Boy Scouts of America. From the earliest days of Cub Scouts to having the end in sight with every merit badge earned, nobody goes through Scouts without wanting to reach the rarified rank of Eagle.

Alexander Shunk recently got there, doing so faster than many with the rank. The 16-year-old from Harrison Township’s Troop 209 claimed Eagle at an age younger than the average Eagle, which Scouting Magazine claimed was just over 17 years old in 2017.

“I’ve known a few who got it early or even a bit earlier than me, but for the most part, I’ve seen a big rush at the end,” Shunk said. “I guess I feel relieved because now when I’m Scouting, I can go focus on more of the memories. As I get older, I realize there’s not going to be as much of them anymore.”

Shunk began Scouting as a Cub in elementary school, getting the itch to join after attending a presentation.

“I didn’t really know much about it when I was a little kid until this gentleman who had a Cub Scout pack at my elementary school took all the boys in the first grade down and he gave a little presentation,” Shunk said. “I came home with a flier, and I told my dad I wanted to do that, and it got me to the point where I am now.”

Over his pre-Eagle Scouting career, Shunk did many things, as Scouts tend to do, from attending meetings to weeklong camping trips. One unique part of his time Scouting was attending the National Youth Leadership Training program.

All the while, it was the people around him that kept Shunk in the Scouts, guiding him to the place he is today.

“When I was in Scouting, I was always surrounded by positive role models, people who I would like to grow up to be like,” Shunk said. “Those kinds of people kept me going and kept encouraging me.”

Back home in Harrison Township, Shunk focused on completing his Eagle Scout project. This took the form of building new tables for the local YMCA.

“At the time, their representative came up to me and (said) he was in need of four picnic tables, and he looked to me to implement them,” Shunk said.

Shunk made four tables for the YMCA, each one built from wood and featuring metal, laser-engraved game boards built into the table. The games included are tic-tac-toe and a board for checkers and chess. One of the tables is accessible per Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Building the tables was not without its hiccups, especially when it came to the game boards.

“Originally, I wanted to do sticker board games, but those wouldn’t work on the table,” Shunk said. “I had to go to metals and find the right sealant. ... It took me a little while, but we got it done and it looks like the YMCA is making good use of it now.”

With the tables made and Eagle Scout rank secured, Shunk plans to spend the next few years still involved with the Scouts. In the long-term, he would like to go to medical school and become a doctor and, perhaps down the line, turn his passion for soccer into a coaching career as well. But whatever path Shunk takes in life, Scouting has left an unmistakable impression on him.

“The Scouting journey has definitely turned me into a better person, and hopefully I can continue down that path,” Shunk said.