Oliver Fowler joins the ranks of Eagle Scout

Oliver Fowler of Scout Troop 161 in Niwot, acquired the final rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony on Sunday, May 19. He is the 107th Eagle Scout from Troop 161 since 1973. Fowler has undergone the trials of earning 21 merit badges (14 of which are required for Eagle Scout) plus an additional five earning him a bronze Eagle Palm.

"Many people think that once you earn your Eagle Scout, you've reached the end," said Advancement Chair Michelle Law, "but this is not true. You can earn achievements after your Eagle by completing additional merit badges [before turning 18] to earn Eagle Palms." Fowler earned one palm in addition to his Eagle Scout, the Bronze Palm for five merit badges past the required amount.

Scouting has been in existence in America since 1910. In that time, Scouting America (previously Boy Scouts of America) has been recognized as a significant group geared toward making a positive impact on the scout as well the country and its communities.

Scouting has a lifelong impact whether or not the rank of Eagle Scout is reached. Achieving that final rank is no easy feat, and regardless of "completion" or not, scouting is still a powerful source of identity.

Earning merit badges is only one aspect of the journey to Eagle, as it also requires countless hours of leadership and service among peers and in the community. Becoming an Eagle Scout also requires scouts to lead and organize an "Eagle Project."

Fowler led the construction of a material transportation cart for the Niwot Business Association (NBA) for Niwot events, such as Dancing Under The Stars for his Eagle Project. "The old transportation cart wasn't quite big enough for the flooring used during that specific event," said Fowler. The old cart was also falling apart.

Fowler joined scouts in 2018 at the age of 13. His biggest challenge came with the spread of COVID which caused nearly a year and a half scout hiatus. He then had to earn several ranks in a shorter period of time than most. Fowler's remarkable perseverance and commitment in a short period resulted in him achieving his Eagle ranking.

For Fowler, the impact of scouting is not only the leadership and life skills learned, but "learning to find your group of people who you might not normally hang out with otherwise in school," as he put it.

Fowler's favorite experience in scouting was attending summer camp at Camp Chris Dobbins in Elbert, Colorado, where scouts had to be evacuated due to a nearby forest fire. Not only did that provide a powerful leadership moment, as he was the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader at the time, but when they weren't in danger of fire, he had the opportunity to work towards his Wilderness Survival badge and sleep away from camp by digging a hole in the ground and sleeping under the stars overnight.

Another favorite memory for Fowler was making a "deliciously disgusting PB&J sandwich with bratwurst and chips stuffed inside" during a camping trip in Wyoming in 2022.

"We are both incredibly proud," said Deborah and Andrew Fowler, Oliver's parents. "[We've] seen him grow in such incredible ways and his character shine through his camping and leadership." They felt special pride given he overcame COVID challenges. "His self-confidence, [and willingness to] work with the community has kept him positive, focused, and making a positive impact."

Michelle Law, scoutmaster for Troop 161, said, " [Fowler has always been] a source of encouragement to younger scouts and was able to handle the often chaotic responsibilities with poise and determination."

Law added the sentiment shared by Fowler, that "Scouting [adapts] to the needs of our nation's youth... Many scouts participate in other activities." Law continued, "Scouting tends to be the framework that holds all of these [participants] together through [their] commitment to the Scout Oath and Scout Law."

Going forward, Fowler is currently enrolled at American University and intends to go to Washington, DC, in the fall to study political science. Before that, his goal is to work this summer at Sea Base High Adventure Camp as a junior scout leader. And as always, Fowler hopes to continue birding.