Local Teens Soar To Eagle Scout Status With Local Projects

Posted Wednesday, March 6, 2019 4:57 pm

Conrad Welle conceived the idea of building a “mud kitchen” and two child-sized picnic tables at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School.

For his Eagle Scout project, C.J. Snyder helped build a patio and picnic benches where Orphan Grain Train volunteers can relax and enjoy meals outdoors.

By Jillian Amodio

Boy Scouts nationwide are taught to be prepared and to help other people at all times, and that’s exactly what Troop 993 members Conrad Welle and Curvin “C.J.” Snyder did in advance of earning their Eagle Scout honors on March 30.

Snyder's Eagle Scout project supported Orphan Grain Train on East-West Boulevard in Millersville. He wanted to help the countless volunteers who offer their time and efforts there daily. He organized a group of about 15 volunteers who together completed more than 70 hours of work to build a patio and picnic benches where volunteers can relax and enjoy meals outdoors.

The teen has always loved the outdoors and got involved in scouts in middle school. Besides his Eagle Scout project, the highlight of his scouting career was his time at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Conrad Welle graduated from St. Martins-in-the-Field Episcopal School in 2015. The school provided a positive influence in his life and he knew he wanted to give back. Welle conceived the idea of building a “mud kitchen” and two child-sized picnic tables after headmaster Jamey Hein mentioned a need for playground equipment. After Hein showed Welle an idea of what the school needed, Welle expanded the concept and brought it to life.

“The project was tough but enjoyable,” Welle said, “and in the end, it benefited my community, and holds a special place in my heart.”

Welle started his scouting journey at 6 years old, progressing through the ranks of Cub Scouts until “bridging over” to Boy Scouts at the age of 11. “I was able to achieve my life goal of earning the rank of Eagle, which is something only 2 percent of scouts ever achieve, and it is a very self-fulfilling journey, and one that taught me to be a confident leader,” Welle said.

When asked how he plans to carry lessons learned in scouts into his future, Welle responded, “All of the traits and ideals that scouts has instilled in me will have a lifelong impact. Scouts taught me to be myself and to be bold and take whatever life throws at you in stride. With what I have taken from scouts, I hope to take that into my years in college.”

Welle plans to attend Anne Arundel Community College and then obtain an auto mechanics certification from the Community College of Baltimore County, a plan that will allow him to pursue his love of cars as a career.

Troop 993 has a long history of encouraging its scouts to be the best they can be. More than 70 scouts have emerged as Eagle Scouts under the guidance and support of this troop.