Sidarth Krishna’s scouting journey that began at the age of five, culminated in his Eagle Court of Honor at Nara Park in Acton on May 22, 2022. He progressed through the scouting ranks over 12 years growing in leadership abilities in his roles as Troop guide, Scribe, Patrol Leader and Quartermaster to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The guests of honor for the troop event included Senator Jamie Eldridge and Acton Selectman David Martin.

Sidarth's Eagle project demonstrated his ability to lead boy scouts in a project that serves the community while making an impact based on lessons learnt. The goal of his project was to help seniors living in his town prepare for a fire emergency in their homes. He was motivated by a personal fire incident at home in the middle of the night.  Sidarth collaborated with the senior center staff and the town's Director of Council of Aging and the local fire department.

The COVID 19 pandemic in March 2020 imposed obstacles to carrying out Sidarth’s Eagle project plan to have scouts meet with seniors in-person and help them at their homes. After about six months of planning, Sidarth had to modify his project plan to meet the new reality due to the pandemic. He adapted his plan to interact safely with the senior community through zoom and online media such as newsletters and Youtube videos. Sidarth worked with his town's public safety department to determine which senior homes needed fire safety inspections. He researched information on different causes of fire incidents in New England and prevention of fires using smoke detectors and alarms.  He interviewed experienced Acton's firefighters on the local TV station about prevention and emergency preparedness. He shared the recording of this video via YouTube. He raised funds through a few outreach events such as a bake sale, online fundraising event and Acton community events.

Sidarth coached the boy scouts in his troop and paired them individually with seniors who had signed up and prepared a script to help scouts speak to the seniors, understand their unique situations, note down their safety needs to share with fire safety personnel and then drop off fire emergency resource packets at their homes. Sidarth’s Eagle project that connected young scouts of the community with seniors, not only helped them prepare for a fire emergency but also had a positive impact on the wellbeing of the seniors.

At the Eagle Court of Honor, Scoutmasters from his troop shared instances of Sidarth’s experiences with the troop that helped him learn life skills such as building leadership skills when for five years, he led his troop to volunteer at the local library’s book sale or working with his troop to lead efforts to clear ground to build a ramp in a cancer patient’s home and building resilience to deal with adversity when he had to camp overnight outdoors in a tent at temperatures below 10F.

During the ceremony, Sidarth thanked his family, the adult leaders in his troop and the fellow troops for offering their constant encouragement and assistance in this wonderful Scouting journey and helping him “Be Prepared” for what life has to offer ahead.

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