Benchmark; Local Boy Scouts repair bench atop Butte

WASILLA — A dozen Boy Scouts from Troop 300 accompanied by three adults recently repaired a bench on top of the Butte as a part of Colony High School Senior Stephen DeFillipo’s Eagle Scout project.

The group hiked up the Butte tools in hand, made the repairs, cemented the bench, and hiked back down. DeFillipo led the project. He said it took about four or five hours, including the hike.

“It went pretty well,” DeFillipo said.

DeFillipo said that a scout master recommended the project. Once he got the greenlight from the Mat-Su Borough and the Great Land Trust, he rallied the troops.

“Since people go up there all the time, I thought it would be a good idea to repair it,” DeFillipo said.

There’s a historical connection between the Boy Scouts and the bench. A group of local boy scouts ones installed it in 2015.

“It’s been an endearing boy scouts thing,” DeFillipo’s father, Jay, said.

DeFillipo hikes the Butte regularly. He said that he enjoys the exercise. He said that he shares his family’s sense of calm during the hike.

“It’s just a fun activity to do,” DeFillipo said.

DeFillipo joined the Cub Scouts in the fourth grade, moving on to Boy Scouts as he got older. He’s stuck with it for over a decade. It clearly means a lot to him.

“I think the important part is the adventuring and leadership that we gain along the way,” DeFillipo said.

DeFillipo said that being a part of the scouts has been a fun and all together worthwhile experience that will ultimately help him as an adult.

“The leadership really helps out in social situations. Also, I believe it would help with getting a job,” DeFillipo said.

The bench project is the culmination of DeFillipo’s scouts experience, spending years earing badges, gaining skills, and being an active member of the community.

All that will be evaluated when he goes before the Boy Scouts board in about two months, according to Jay. He’s confident that the board will approve his son’s history leadership and contributions to the community over the years, finally earning him that Eagle Scout rank.

“I’m pretty sure he’ll make it,’’ Jay said.

Only a small percentage of scouts achieve Eagle Scout rank when they finish their scout tenure. Most sources report only four percent make it. Becoming an Eagle Scout makes them an honorary scout for life and many adults continue participating with their local troops in leadership positions.

Becoming an Eagle Scout is regarded as an admirable achievement that serves as a reminder of the scout’s legacy of service. It can even help with college and job applications. Jay said his son fits the bill and he’s proud of him.

“It’s a culminating event. It kind of shows them that they’re being an adult and they can put a project together and they can lead,” Jay said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com