When Jeremy Bolton achieves the rank of Eagle Scout, he will join the likes of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Apollo 13 astronaut James A. Lovell Jr. More importantly, he’ll also join his great-great-uncle Richard Crowe, a retired Southern Baptist pastor.
Reaching the level of Eagle Scout is not easy. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts do so, according to the Boy Scouts of America’s Web site, www.scouting.org.
Before Bolton could reach that goal, however, he needed to complete a major public–service project.
Richard Healy, scoutmaster for Bolton’s Troop 23, explained that the Eagle Project is the culmination of years of leadership training. "Eagle Projects give them a chance to practice all the things that they have learned as Scouts," he said. "For their project, they must come up with an idea and take on all the planning and coordination required to make their idea a reality. They are not to ‘do’ the project; they are to ‘lead’ the project."
For help in choosing a project, Bolton turned to Crowe with whom he attends Shades Crest Baptist Church, Hoover, in Birmingham Baptist Association.
As a Boy Scout in 1937, Crowe attended the first National Scout Jamboree in Washington. He also served as an associate scout leader. He even considered making scouting his profession. But God laid His hand on the Tuscumbia native’s heart and led him to a 46-year career in ministry and missions, including serving as a pastor, short-term volunteer missionary and director of missions for Coffee Baptist Association.
But Crowe never lost his love and respect for scouting. "The Boy Scouts is an organization that’s been building character for a long, long time."
This love became apparent to Bolton and his father, Allen, during a visit with Crowe when the talk turned to scouting. "It was natural that we ask him if he had any ideas for Jeremy’s service project," Allen Bolton said.
Crowe, who lives at The Oaks on Parkwood, a retirement community in Bessemer, asked Wellness Director Susan Kennedy if there was anything to be done in the community. She suggested building a walking trail.
Completing the trail involved 35 volunteers and 180 service hours. The volunteers, mostly other Scouts, cleaned and mowed the area and planted dogwood trees and rosebushes. They placed four benches along the trail and built a split-rail fence. Jeremy Bolton raised $2,650 to fund the project. He completed it under budget and donated the extra money to The Oaks for trail upkeep.
Kennedy said the trail has been well received by residents. "It’s a nice place to sit and meditate," she said. "They did a great job."
The three-month project ended last summer when Jeremy Bolton marked the trail with a sign dedicating it to Crowe and his late wife, Margaret. "It’s called Crowe’s Foot Trail," he said. "I decided to dedicate it to them since he has done so much to get me through this project."
Crowe said he was surprised by the dedication. "I had no idea the trail would be named for me until he put the sign up."
Jeremy Bolton said the project focused on the most valuable thing he has learned from Boy Scouts — leadership skills. "You learn responsibility," explained the Hoover High School sophomore who has been involved in scouting since was about 7 years old.
He is currently completing two final merit badges and writing his Eagle Project report to fulfill his Eagle Scout requirements. And Crowe continues to offer advice and support.
Dennis Foust, pastor of Shades Crest Baptist, said the influence of scouting and Crowe on Jeremy Bolton is easily apparent. "As they worked together on this project, Jeremy experienced Jesus Christ living in one of the … most authentic and vulnerable spirits," Foust said. "I already see in Jeremy’s relationship with Jesus evidence of the Christ who dwells in and who is expressed through Richard."
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