Scout builds church shed for Eagle project

With the building and completion of a brand-new shed for his church, Nathan Stanz is now eligible to receive the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout.

Stanz, 17, is a member of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Venture Crew 8051 and a senior at Kofa High School.

Venturing is a youth development program for ages 14 through 20 years old. The program's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults, according to BSA's Web site.

Stanz said he chose this particular project because his church, Sierra Vista Presbyterian, was in desperate need of a little extra elbow room.

"All of the stuff inside of the new shed, including chairs and tables, were being stored in the middle of our fellowship hall," Stanz said. "It was taking up about a quarter of the space in there, and we couldn't use that part of the building. One of the church trustees knew I was looking for a project, and he said a shed was really needed."

Stanz said he enlisted his friends to get the project rolling.

"This couldn’t have been done without the help of my friends and the people of this church. Cemex donated the concrete, but we laid it out. The shed was (prefabricated), but we had to buy some extra wood and change the plans a little bit because the original shed was only 10 by 10 (feet) and we wanted it to be 10 by 14."

To become an Eagle Scout, Stanz also needed to complete 21 merit badges, a task he has finished.

"One of my favorite merit badges was pioneering, because we got to build a big catapult and shoot fruit off of it at summer camp. I also liked life-saving, where we swam across pools and pulled people out who had weights attached to them."

Stanz has been involved in Scouting for over a decade.

"I’ve been in Scouts since the first grade, and I have had so much fun doing it. I've never really wanted to quit. I may have not wanted to go to a meeting every now and then, but we would always go camping and just have fun. Camping, hiking, sailing and canoeing are definitely the best parts about being a Boy Scout."

Stanz said the lessons he learned while Scouting have set him up for success in life.

"Especially in Yuma, I think we have some of the best leaders. I have learned so much about leadership and helping people - probably more than I would have anywhere else. It is the reason I have done so well in school."

Stanz said even though he is now an Eagle Scout, he will still actively participate in Boy Scouts.

"I will still be a part of the Venture crew. I am a chaplain right now, and I have the duties of writing prayers and performing religious services on Sundays. I am definitely sad this will be my last year in Boy Scouts, but someday I hope to start up my own crew and become an adviser."

Stanz said he is honored to be called an Eagle Scout.

"They take all the Boy Scouts, which are generally a good bunch of people, and take everybody out except the Eagle Scouts, which are a select group of the best and brightest. It feels really good to be included in that. I am so proud. Sometimes it felt like I was getting pushed by everyone around me, but now that I’ve done it, it is the best thing I’ve done."

Stanz said he has big plans for his life after high school but will never forget his time as a Boy Scout.

"I have taken my SAT and ACT, and I am applying for Stanford.  I want to be a theoretical physicist, but I know I will be a Boy Scout at heart for the rest of my life. Always prepared, never not prepared."

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.