SOLON — Six Solon teens – Eli Richardson, Grant Bumsted, Zeb Kleinsmith, Landon Shive, Matt Tvedte, and Jack Rekers have joined, or are in the process of joining, the elite ranks of the Eagle Scouts.
While Scouting was organized in the early 1900s in England by Robert Baden-Powell the rank of Eagle Scout wasn’t initially included when the movement came to America. Entry-level Scouts were known as “Tenderfoot” before working toward “Second Class,” and finally “First Class.” Merit badges were introduced as a way to provide Scouts with more specific knowledge and training, leading to over 135 such badges available today. In addition, advanced ranks of “Star” and “Life” were added as well as the highest rank – Eagle Scout.
The Solon Economist will highlight each of the six individually with this week’s feature on Jack Rekers. Eli Richardson was featured March 2, Matt Tvedte was featured March 9, and Jack Rekers appeared in last week’s edition (March 16).
Shive is 18 and a senior. He’s the son of Mike and Becky Shive.
“I have been involved (with Scouts) since I was seven and a Tiger Cub. I am a fourth generation Eagle Scout, so ever since I was a young age, I have been involved.”
Key to the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout is planning and conducting a service project, typically for a nonprofit entity. Thousands of hours of project service have been performed in the Solon area benefiting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Solon Community School District, Solon Recreation Dept., care centers, churches, and landscaping at the Veterans Memorial. The Eagle candidate must work with a sponsor organization, create a detailed plan, and get it approved before work begins. The Scout acts as the program manager scoping out the project, determining and acquiring the required materials and tools, creating a detailed schedule, and recruiting the manpower to execute the plan.
Last April, Shive built a deer fence around the garden at the Shueyville United Methodist Church after a suggestion by Rev. Brody Tubaugh, Pastor of the church.
“The garden is used by the youth confirmation class to rototill, plant, water, nourish, and harvest as a class project,” Shive explained adding selling the harvest helps to raise funds for their mission trips.
“To plan the project, I had to prep the ground since it was very, very overgrown.” Shive brought in a tractor to work the ground and help with debris removal. “From there it got a lot easier due to the support from Troop 120.”
Shive credited Troop 120 leaders Kelsey Bumsted, Tim Broghammer, and Meghan Richardson for their help as well as his parents.
Shive is a student athlete, helps his grandpa on the farm, plays golf, volleyball, goes snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing. His future plans include attending South Dakota State University to study agricultural engineering.

Gallery • 3 Photos

This was the appearance of the garden at the Shueyville United Methodist Church before Landon Shive and members of Scout Troop 120 cleared brush and debris and erected a new deer fence.