Eagle Scout Swoops Into Belmont, Installs New Trailhead Signs

As John Akers closes in becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting, he had one final project to complete in the long and challenging process of earning that ultimate scouting badge. 

On Saturday, John, a senior at Burlingame High School, installed three all-weather bulletin  boards (AKA-information kiosks) at three trail heads of Belmont's Water Dog Lake Open Space Area.

John explained that he and his parents are avid hikers, and although residents of Hillsborough, they frequently hike on Belmont trails, so when choosing a project, he called Belmont Park & Recreation Department to inquire about what he could do to help improve the trails. 

"Daniel (Ourtiague, the city's parks manager) said the city could use bulletin boards at the trailheads, so I decided that would be a good project. I'm very thankful to the city for providing all of materials needed for the signs," said John as he dug holes near the Lyall Way entrance to the trail. 

David Morgan is scout master of Troop 71, based in San Bruno. Morgan along with assistant scout masters Jad Nazzal, Glen Mitzi, and Bob Brewer, work with the boys to guide them through through the process and up the scouting ranks. 

Morgan explained that it's the scout's responsibility to gather the labor to complete the project.

"The Eagle Scout acts as a project manager," said Morgan.

"He doesn't have to do the entire project by himself, but it's his job to coordinate everything--from getting the materials from the city, to getting the boys and the adults together to complete the project," Morgan added.  

According to the Boy Scouts of America website, around seven percent of all Boy Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2012. Overall, only about two in one thousand boys who join scouting ever reach that pinnacle, explained Morgan, John's scout master.

Boys must complete their Eagle Scout requirements before their 18th birthday, Morgan said. 

John and his crew installed the bulletin boards at Lake Road (Hallmark), Lake Road (Lyall) and the Carlmont Drive entrance (Hidden Canyon Park). 

Ourtiague, the city's parks manager, said the  will be a bulletin boards will serve as a place to place the park rules sign, trail etiquette language, map, events, etc.

"The boards will also have a literature rack where we can post flyers of trail work days, community events or maps for folks to take on their hike, jog or ride. John has the support of the Parks and Recreation Commission as well as the Parks and Recreation Department," said Ourtiague. 

Several of John's fellow scouts, several of whom are also approaching Eagle Scout status, were on hand to help out with the installation, as were some of the scouts' moms and dads.

Diane Gates of Pacifica says her son Graham, a student at Oceana High School, is a soon-to-be-Eagle Scout.

"Once you're an Eagle, you're an Eagle for life," said Gates.

"You can put being an Eagle Scout on your college application. It shows you can get things done, and you have perseverance," she added.