Project Aguila Soars Beyond Expectations

Jan. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- The Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area Council, have been impressed by the rapid growth of “Project Aguila” (Project Eagle).  Project Aguila was kicked off in August of 2011 and first offered on the South Side of San Antonio as a local Alamo Area Council board initiative to create long-standing units in areas where the council has identified the need for a program that prepares boys for life.  A Field Day of activities including BB Guns, archery, Gaga ball, and crafts will showcase the growth of the Scout program from 3 units and just over 100 kids to 383 youth and 13 units.    

Named after the highest Boy Scout rank to motive the young Cub Scouts towards achievement, Project Aguila is expecting almost 700 participants to this year’s Field Day including kids, parents and volunteers.     Media is invited to see the Scouts in action on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at McGimsey Scout Park located at 10810 Wedgewood, San Antonio, TX 78231.  

There are five Harlandale ISD Elementary schools, three Edgewood ISD Elementary schools, and two Northside ISD Elementary schools participating within Project Aguila. There are also two schools in the Southwest ISD and one with the School of Excellence in Education.

Focusing on Cub Scouting (boys in the first through fifth grades), Project Aguila financially provides additional paid program staff leadership, membership dues, camp fees, training, uniforms, program supplies, and recognition for Scouts and adults for three years.  The goal is to continue to see healthy increases of parent involvement in youth participation while managing the expectation for these Cub Scout Packs to become financially self-sufficient.

Maria T. Rocha, a grandmother who is raising three grandsons ages 6, 8, and 9 said this of Project Aguila; “I did not know where to start in getting these boys to learn respect, friendship and honor.  Thank you for what you have done and [are] doing for these boys…God Bless you”.

“Thank you for fun, learning new things, friends, uniforms, and pizza,” expressed Mrs. Rocha’s grandsons.

Parents who volunteer in the program become trained role models displaying traits of ethical and moral character as they lead and participate in activities with youth and other adults.  Volunteering for the Scouts is also an aid to good parenting; Scouting gives involved parents the confidence and resources to work alongside their boys in whatever activities may come their way.

“Teaching self-sufficiency and encouraging youth are the keys to our success, and this 2013 Project Aguila Field Day is partly a celebration of the increase of youth and family in such an impactful Scouting program.  When our kids win, our community wins,” says Michael de los Santos, Scout Executive for the Alamo Area Council, BSA, based in San Antonio, Texas.

About the Alamo Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

The Alamo Area Council, BSA, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, serves a 13 county area imparting the Scouting program to over 28,500 youth and 7,500 volunteer adults in South Texas.  The Boy Scouts of America continue to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training utilizing outdoor activity, citizenship, and sports fitness.  For more information on the Alamo Area BSA, please visit Http://www.AlamoAreaBSA.org.