By Kyle LoJacono
Of the millions of children who have participated in Boy Scouts of America (BSA), only 2 percent reach the highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Wesley Chapel Venture Crew 177 blows those percentages out of the water.
The crew celebrated two more Eagle Scouts on March 19 — Alex Pachinski and Miles Britton. Since its founding in 2007, the group has seen six of its 10 scouts earn scouting’s ultimate rank. The others include Patrick Morris, Brian Cumbie, A.J. Nardi and Calvin Britton, Miles’ brother.
“When we started the Venture Crew it was so the older kids could separate ourselves from the younger kids,” Miles said. “We wanted to focus on the advanced achievements because we all wanted to be Eagle Scouts.”
The crew was formed by older scouts in Troop 177. Children can join traditional BSA troops after fifth grade, but only those who have entered high school can join a venture crew.
Miles, a senior at Wesley Chapel High, started his scouting adventure as a Tiger Cub in first grade, the lowest level for scouts. His father Frank has been an active adult leader for both Miles and Calvin for the last 14 years.
“Scouting has given them, and all the kids I’ve seen come through the program, more confidence in life,” Frank said. “The biggest thing I’ve seen is in leadership. The kids take on leadership in all parts of their lives because of what they’ve learned in scouting.”
Frank did not participate in scouting as a child, but was very impressed with a BSA course he saw on pocket knives.
“I read what they teach the kids in third grade about knives and it was so good, I decided it was something I wanted my sons involved with,” Frank said. “It was just so thorough and made sure the kids understood safety. Everything about scouting is like that.”
For his eagle project, Miles constructed a flag pole and did landscaping at Weightman Middle, where he went to school. He officially earned the rank in January.
Pachiski, who is currently a freshman at the University of South Florida, remodeled the patio area at Fisher House, which is part of the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa. He became an Eagle Scout last June.
The pair of new eagles celebrated their achievement at a combined court of honor March 19. The other four Eagle Scouts from the crew came to the event.
“It was a really cool thing,” Miles said. “It takes a lot of work to get that award, and we’ve got six from our crew who have done it.”
Miles said his favorite merit badge was first aid because he wants to be a physical therapist. He will be attending Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina on a lacrosse scholarship, while Calvin is attending Marshall University in West Virginia. No matter how far they go, the brothers will always remember what they learned in scouting.
“It’s something I’ve loved doing since I can remember,” Miles said. “I’m really glad my dad got us both into it.”
