VOLUNTEERS: For his Eagle Scout project, Bixby resident John Carmichael spent six months planning projects and recruiting volunteers. Carmichael received donations from local businesses and spent a weekend digging an irrigation system at Washington Irving Park, moving rocks to beautify and arbor and installing birdhouses. From left are Tony Wright, father Curl Carmichael, John, brother Chris Carmichael, project mentor Bill Pittman, James Cooke, JJ Jorishie and Luke Ashborne.
Photos Courtesy of Janet Carmichael
John Carmichael, 15, of Bixby now has something in common with the United States 38th President Gerald Ford, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Harrison Salisbury and former NBA star John Koncak.
Like all these prominent men, Carmichael too is an Eagle Scout.
Eagle Scout is the highest award to be earned in Boy Scouting. Only five percent of all Boy Scouts receive the title. Since 1912, approximately 1.7 million boys have been named Eagle Scouts, making them a prestigious and select group of individuals.
To complete an Eagle Scout project, one must demonstrate proficiency in leadership, service and outdoor skills, working his way from the rank of Tenderfoot to Eagle. As a scout progresses through these ranks, he must attend Scoutmaster Conferences to help set goals for his individual interests and talents.
In addition, of the 120 merit badges available, a scout must earn 21 (12 specific badges are required) before he is eligible to begin an Eagle Scout project.
For his project, Carmichael helped improve and beautify Washington Irving Park by digging an irrigation system, building birdhouses and moving rocks to beautify the park’s arbor.
With the help of scout leaders, friends, family and his project mentor and Bixby Trails Committee member Bill Pittman, Carmichael completed this feat in one weekend, but spent six months planning.
“I was working on bird house plans, getting donations and signing up volunteers to help with the project,” he says.
That’s no walk in the park, while also trying to get through sophomore year of high school.
Donations for the project came from The Audubon Society, M&M Lumber, RSC Equipment Rental and the Pizza Shoppe in Bixby.
“After I finished, I was excited to have it done,” Carmichael says. “I was amazed at how well it actually turned out after six months of planning.”
Pittman was excited as well.
“When I met John, I explained what I had in mind and we went from there,” Pittman says. “We had been planning to extend the irrigation system, so I was very happy to get that accomplished. John was a nice person to work with and his parents were very involved.”
Carmichael might have all the work done, but he knows others are going to benefit from his project for years to come with every visit to Washington Irving Park.
“I think projects like this are important because they benefit the community you live in,” he says. “It shows your enthusiasm in making your community better and shows your own sense of compassion for others. It defines your character and represents your city.”
