Community Profile: Setting His Sights

Leaders of Allen Park Boy Scout Troop 1051 were confident that Cameron Waskiewicz’s Eagle Scout project would be a success.

With Waskiewicz’s leadership, the troop completed educational and environmental improvements to the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy’s (GINLC) Dr. Bruce Jones Preserve, located at the southwest corner of Meridian and Bridge roads.

The project entailed identifying 19 tree species; placing markers near each tree, showing both the common and scientific names; and adding QR codes linking each tree to a webpage with more detailed information about each species.

Waskiewicz, 18, is a student at Oakland University and recent graduate of Riverview High School. He raised funds to purchase all the materials for the 19 signs that would be placed on the trail. He received donations from individuals, Rotary clubs of Allen Park, Southgate, Trenton and Woodhaven-Brownstown, and the Flat Rock Meijer store.

He worked with GINLC President Paul Gloor, naturalist Doug Thiel and stewardship chair Peter Kantz with the goal of completing the project that was educational for the community while showing appreciation for the environment.

The work commenced with Troop 1051 Scoutmasters David Tamsen, Andrew Johnson and Robert Vaillancourt and 25 dedicated volunteers digging holes, mixing and moving concrete and placing the signs along the nature trail. The volunteers were members of Troop 1051 in Allen Park, Troop 1795 in Southgate and Troop 1261 on Grosse Ile, the Boy Scout District, Southgate Rotary, GINLC, family members and friends.

“When Cameron decides he wants to accomplish something, he sets his sights and does not give up until it has been accomplished,” said long-time Scout leader David Tamsen of Allen Park.

“I’ve always loved nature, wildlife and animals,” Waskiewicz said. “That always intrigued me. I was thinking of ideas (for the Eagle project) that had to do with either plants or trees… It’s meant for the community.

“I feel great about it,” he added. “I feel very accomplished. I’m grateful I had the opportunity. I’m thankful we could get the job done. I couldn’t have done it by myself.”

Waskiewicz’s grandparents, Fran and John, and mother, Amanda, had a role in the project and roles in his Scouting career. Fran is a Southgate Rotarian.

The young former Allen Park resident said Scouting is the “one thing I’ve consistently done since I was a kid.”

“Scouting,” he added, “has given me opportunities I wouldn’t have if I didn’t do Scouting: camping, going certain places and learning new skills in general, like archery, how to use a rifle and shotgun, fishing and cooking. One of my most challenging merit badges was for swimming. I had to overcome my fear of the water.”

Tamsen said Waskiewicz and three other Scouts will receive their Eagle recognition during a November 9 ceremony at Allen Park Presbyterian Church, home of Troop 1051. The other honorees will be Troop 1051 members Austin Bowling of Allen Park, William Vaillancourt of Melvindale and Everett Knapik, a Southgate resident and a former member of the now-defunct Troop 1052 at St. Frances Cabrini in Allen Park.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in Scouting through the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only 4 percent of Scouts have earned the rank after a lengthy review process that includes earning 21 merit badges and completing the Eagle Scout project.

The Bruce Jones Preserve is open to the public. For more information about the conservancy’s programs, visit the website www.ginlc.org. For more about Scouting, visit www.scouting.org.