Eagle Project Problems Elden Louis Parker

I clock my final break on a brutally hot June Thursday. Stepping outside for a phone call, I have one thing on my mind: what is Saturday’s verdict? Dave, my Eagle Project counselor, has been corresponding with Portland Parks and Recreation (PPAR) on my behalf this entire afternoon.

“Bad news. They’re canceling the project.”

I felt defeated. My 100+ hours of meticulous planning, incessant correspondence, and tedious navigation through bureaucratic red tape left me with nothing but a packed Google Drive folder.

Not only was I facing a 115 degree day, but the 12 heavy capstones that I had stashed at the project site were stolen. My project was canceled and there was nothing I could do. Worse, the next available opportunity wasn’t until September.

I spoke with my dad that afternoon, and he reminded me of two things: I’m capable of overcoming these obstacles, and people in my life are here to support me while I do it. I had listened to far too many middle-aged men recant how their 17-year-old selves quit scouts before reaching Eagle. Not me. I knew my strength and determination were stronger than my circumstances, so I rescheduled and got to work.

My project addressed a park trail’s erosion problem, an issue not uncommon...