Troop 209 Scout earns Eagle rank

Nathan Szczupaj, a junior at Fremd High School and resident of Palatine, earned the rank of Eagle Scout in September of 2021.

The Eagle Scout badge, the highest rank in BSA Scouts, is widely recognized as a mark of distinction both within and outside of Scouting. Once earned, it is worn for life.

Nate has been an active Scout with BSA Scout Troop 209 since April of 2016. He has held various leadership roles in the troop as he worked his way through merit badges, service hours and sign offs on the trail to Eagle. Of particular note, was an extended tenure as patrol leader of the Dragon Patrol due to COVID-19 halting elections and change-over of patrol leadership. While patrol leader, he continued to hone his communication skills as he learned the difficulty of planning and maintaining interest and engagement in recurring patrol meetings.

Nate's Eagle Project benefitted Stuart R. Paddock Elementary School. Nate led a group of Scouts, family and friends in disassembling, repairing, painting and reassembling 15 wooden playground benches across the school grounds.

He led a second group in readying a blighted area of the Paddock landscape and planting a perennial garden which he researched in the months prior to the project. The garden was designed using drought tolerant and native plants with features that would be appealing to the students and staff throughout the growing season.

Nate donated residual funds from his project to the Paddock Arts extracurricular program run by most inspiring educator, Mr. Andre Zielinski.

In addition to camping and other outdoor activities, Nathan had the opportunity to participate in two high adventure trips as a Scout. Both Philmont Scout Ranch in 2021 and the Boy Scout National Jamboree in 2017 were great experiences for Nate.