Leverett: Where an 'Eagle' dares

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on April 13, 2007

Camping was the draw to join the Boys Scouts, and it was leadership and community service that earned Aaron Clayton-Dunn the rank of eagle scout.

Clayton-Dunn, 16, the son of John Clayton and Susan Dunn, of Leverett, received his wings last month at a ceremony at the North Amherst Congregational Church. The eagle scout badge is the highest award in scouting and only four percent of boys reach the rank.

He is a member of Troop 504 in North Amherst, where Charles "Chip" Weems is scoutmaster, and the troop has a reputation for fostering eagle scouts.

"I love camping," he said in citing why he joined the Webelos when he was 10. He has been to Camp Massawepie in the Adirondacks every summer for four years. While camping, he picked up skills, such as wilderness survival, rock climbing, orienteering and rowing.

To obtain the eagle rank, a scout must go though a rigorous process, which includes specific merit badges, leadership and community service including a major project. He more than fulfilled that obligation. Beside the 12 required merit badges, he has 16 others sewn on his sash.

"Eagle badges are harder to earn," said Clayton-Dunn, who is a sophomore at Deerfield Academy.

The eagle badges include three that involve citizenship in the nation, world and community.

"You learn how government works," he said. His non-eagle merit badges include: first aid, family life, wood carving, archery, sailing, art, music and camping.

Leadership is a component in earning the eagle rank. Clayton-Dunn said he serves as junior assistant scoutmaster, helping plan activities. He also was an assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. "That's like being president of the troop," he said.

He also served as a troop guide, which he explained is an older scout who coaches and helps younger scouts. His community service included working at a soup kitchen, collecting food for the Amherst Survival Center and helping other scouts with their eagle projects.

Because of his interest in conservation and building trails, he met with David McKinnon, Amherst's conservation land manager. After looking at sites, he selected the Arnold Kenseth Trail in South Amherst, for improvement.

Clayton-Dunn said he and the troop spent 150 hours over four days clearing brush, cutting limbs and grass, mulching and erecting trail posts. The scouts also built a stile over a fence. The materials and equipment were provided by the conservation department.

This summer he will backpack at the prestigious scout camp in Philmont, N.M. Most of his camping is restricted to summers because it's harder to camp on weekends during the school year. Also taking up weekend time is putting in driving hours to obtain his license.

Clayton-Dunn attended the Common School in Amherst and the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield and chose Deerfield Academy after a visit.

"It's an amazing place, great kids, great teachers, facilities. It has an international student body. It's nice to know people from different places, to get a different perspective of the world."

His classes include English literature, Spanish, algebra and Western civilization. After school means sports: crew, wrestling and water polo. He also performs with a chamber ensemble at school. The musicians are working on a Mozart quartet. He has been playing piano since he was five and studies privately with teacher Brenda Miller.

Clayton-Dunn started a school journal, "The View," about political views with essays and a survey of political leanings.

"I like to keep up with what's happening and read the newspapers."

But a political future is doubtful. "Gerald Ford was the only president who was an Eagle Scout. I'm not about to change that," he said.

Instead, he said he would like to start a fair trade company to import items from South America, to bring the work of artisans to this country. Higher education could be at Swarthmore College or Columbia University, but he has no major picked yet. He is considering taking a year off before entering college.

Clayton-Dunn said it's hard to commute to a boarding school. "But it's nice to see the family and my pet." He has a dog, Prince, that he walks and feeds.

He definitely recommends scouting.

"It really helps you grow into becoming a more responsible, mature person, a moral person. I feel it's the same role as religion. It tries to help with ethical decisions. I would definitely suggest it if you like outdoors. And whatever you're interested in, you can find a merit badge."