LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Troop 303 Honors Four New Eagle Scouts


From left: Will Gittings, Jack Brovelli, Gunnar Davison and Cole Wirtz Photo provided

Orinda Troop 303 announced that Will Gittings, Jack Brovelli, Gunnar Davison and Cole Wirtz have achieved Scouting's highest rank of Eagle Scout.

The achievement was celebrated Dec. 7, 2014 at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church. Orinda Mayor Steve Glazer presented each Eagle Scout with a proclamation noting their accomplishment and a "day in their honor."

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout a candidate must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges including 13 Eagle required badges, demonstrate leadership and complete a service project to benefit the community. During their scouting experience with troop 303 these four scouts accrued a total of 680 miles hiking, 227 nights camping and dedicated 352 hours to community service.

Jack Brovelli, a senior at Athenian School, installed a new 300-foot redwood rail fence with signage for St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Orinda to discourage illegal mulch dumping on the church property.

Gunnar Davison, a De La Salle High School senior, restored the playground for the Northern Light Charter School in Oakland. The 162 hours of work by scouts and friends with parent oversight was coordinated by Davidson and included the removal of all the old bark from the playground area.

Miramonte High School senior Will Gittings remodeled the rose garden at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School in Orinda. The remodel included replacing fence posts, framing, fencing, two gates, stairs, and parts of a retaining wall.

Cole Wirtz, also a Miramonte senior, recoated a playground black top surface and painted a 40-foot diameter map of the world on the surface for enjoyment of the kids at the Northern Light Charter School in Oakland. Due to the nature of working with asphalt sealant, and paint, his project took over 140 hours of work on eight separate visits, and involved the participation of 14 other scouts during these multiple work days.

These four young men join the less than 4 percent of all scouts who achieve Eagle Rank. Troop 303 meets every other Monday night at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. The troop has 65 scouts of all ages. To learn more about the troop visit www.bsatroop303 orinda.com or contact scoutmaster Jim Brovelli (925) 997-8437.