Lodi Boy Scout plants seeds for success

Only four out of every 100 boys who join the Boys Scouts of America will have the privilege and the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout. Local scout Clayton Young is working towards becoming one of the few to receive this prestigious honor.

In order to become an Eagle Scout, one must be a life scout for at least six months, earn 21 merit badges — including the 13 required badges — in addition to completing a community service project. Young, who only has three more badges to earn has decided to lend his service to Grace & Mercy, a nonprofit organization that serves the homeless and working poor of Lodi.

“I’m just happy that I am able to help the community,” Young said.

The 14 year-old Vineyard Christian School eight-grader is organizing a project to replace planter boxes in Grace & Mercy’s garden, which is used to supply the organization’s meal program. Young will also be trimming the vines on the fence surrounding the garden and is donating a new grill.

Young will be assisted by volunteers from his troop, school, youth group, church and anyone from the community who wants to come out and help.

Young is scheduled to begin work on his project on Jan. 27, starting with pulling out the old planter boxes and trimming the fence.

Four days have been scheduled for the project with work anticipated to take two to four hours each day. Young estimates it will take about a total of 13 hours to complete the project.

Once a year students at Young’s school go on a field trip to volunteer at Grace & Mercy. After taking the trip to Grace & Mercy, Young, who was moving up the ranks in Boy Scouts and was starting to consider his options for his Eagle Scout project, decided that was where he was needed.

According to Young, an Eagle Scout is the highest rank in scouting. The prestigious accomplishment is recognized by colleges and employers and can open up opportunities for scholarships.

After graduating high school, Young hopes to become a pilot and attend Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz., to study aviation. He is the son of Alan and Robin Young and the grandson of Gerald Young. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 339.