Congratulations to Eli Mackley, 14, and Mitchell Dean, 18, for achieving Eagle Scout status! They were officially recognized at a Court of Honor celebration on April 21. Their projects benefited Camp Long and the Seattle Animal Shelter, and they are members of Boy Scout Unit 289, based in West Seattle.

Here are the details from Boy Scout Unit 289:

Eli Mackley and Camp Long
Eli wanted to build something for his Eagle Scout project and chose to work with Camp Long on a challenge course. Eli recruited 19 people and together they spent 118 hours to complete it. Ken Turner manages the challenge courses at Camp Long and was impressed by Eli’s efforts to accomplish the project in only 3 months.

Eli completed the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank at the age of 13. It helped that he also had two 13-year-old cousins with the same goal. (Eli’s cousin in Atlanta will hold his Court of Honor one week after Eli’s.) He wanted to achieve this first goal because he knew what it would mean to those reviewing his life plans … which include attending Aviation High School next year, volunteering as a docent at the Museum of Flight, and serving as a Counselor-in-Training at Camp Parsons this summer. Eli has already completed all the merit badges for his first two Eagle palms and plans to finish his third palm when he is 14.

Eli’s Eagle Scout statement:
In my interview for Aviation High School I was asked, "What is the hardest thing you have ever done?" and I told them it was my Eagle Scout project. The work itself wasn't as hard as having to be in charge of it all and deal with the problems and people that didn't follow through or show up. Scouting has taught me how to be a leader and also how to work in a group as a team. I knew I would have to work hard to become an Eagle Scout, but I didn't really understand what it meant until after I completed everything. Every person I have told has reacted positively even if they aren't in scouting. I realize I have to live up to the respect Eagle Scouts are given and continue to prove I will live by the promises I have made to myself, my family, and to God.

Eli’s interests include aerospace, archery, reading, skiing, kayaking, mountain climbing, Airsoft, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings Boffering, rock climbing, and hiking.

Merit badges earned to date: Aviation, Art, Bugling, Camping, Canoeing, Carpentry (2010 Historical), Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Coin collecting, Communications, Computers, Emergency Preparedness, Energy, Environmental Science, Family Life, Fingerprinting, First Aid, Gardening, Genealogy, Geocaching, Hiking, Law, Leatherwork, Music, Pathfinding (2010 Historical), Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Photography, Public Speaking, Rifle Shooting, Small Boat Sailing, and Wilderness Survival.

Mitch Dean and the Seattle Animal Shelter
For his Eagle Scout project, Mitch gathered materials and constructed toys which were assembled into pet adoption kits for the Seattle Animal Shelter.

Mitch started his scouting career as a Cub Scout earning Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light at the age of 10. He continued progressing as a Boy Scout to earn, Scouting’s highest award, Eagle. As a middle school student Mitch received the Rita Bubak award as the student who excelled in four aspects of life: service, scholarship, friendship, and peace. He continued that focus by volunteering more than 350 hours in the past few years through his church and scouting programs as well as individually and with his family. The organizations that benefitted from his efforts included Northwest Harvest, the American Cancer Society, Seattle Parks, the West Seattle Food Bank, and the families who were victims of the floods in Lewis County

Mitch’s Eagle Scout statement
“I think the most important lesson that I have learned through Scouting is to always be prepared. I work as a swimming instructor and a lifeguard and a lot of the preparedness skills I learned as a scout have helped me to become successful in that part of my life. Swimming is my passion and I practice every day so I can reach my goal of swimming on a college team. That is something else that Scouting taught me, how to work toward a goal step by step. I know I can do hard things hard if I just keep working on them day by day because I proved that to myself in Scouts.”

Merit Badges completed: Archery, Architecture, Athletics, Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Climbing, Communications, Environmental Science, Family Life, First Aid, Fishing, Golf, Landscape Architecture, Lifesaving, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Rifle Shooting, Sports, Wilderness Survival.

Mitch continues his passion for swimming and now works at Southwest and Evans Pools, after volunteering there for three years.