By Delaney Crawford
Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) has been around since 1910. Over one million youth members are currently involved, and the organization works to prepare the youth for life by building character, citizenship, and personal fitness through outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, and canoeing. From as young as kindergarten to 18 years old, the Scouts instill in members the art of giving back to the community, appreciation for service, and preach kindness and respect as basic pillars in life.
For decades, young boys have grown through the ranks from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, all hoping to reach the highest level of Eagle Scout. One such local member who recently reached that honor is Joseph Szarzynski from Mays Landing.
Szarzynski, 18, has known from the first minute he became a Cub Scout in first grade that he wanted to, and would, reach the Eagle Scout level. Now that he’s reached it and has turned 18, his time with Scouting America has come to an end, but there are many accomplishments still ahead for this young man.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that it’s over now. I’m moving on to the next thing, whatever that may be, but it’s just wild to think that it’s over after all this time,” Szarzynski said. “I feel like I’d be a different person without it. It made my morals and the way I am, being kind, making sure you’re always helping others. As cheesy as it sounds on paper, that really does matter.”
Szarzynski is currently a senior at Oakcrest High School and is also taking classes at Atlantic Cape Community College to get ahead and earn his associate degree before heading to a university in the fall.
He’ll be attending Rowan University, where he hopes to complete his pre-med requirements before going on to medical school.
Szarzynski shared that medical school has always felt like a calling and something he knew he wanted to make happen.
His large aspirations can be credited to growing up in the Boy Scouts and having those core values instilled in him.
Szarzynski passed his board of review for the rank of Eagle Scout on Oct. 7, 2025, the highest honored achievement in Scouting. To achieve this, he had to complete his Eagle project, which took place in Tony Canale Park in Egg Harbor Township as part of the EHT Recreation Center. The planning, organizing, setup, building, and overall execution of the project were all handled by Szarzynski. His goal was to help the community by building three wooden benches to go around the well-used gaga pit in the park.
“I worked there during the summer for a few years and, of course, I was thinking about my Eagle project. I bounced ideas back and forth with the head of parks and recreation, and once we had the idea, I met with him and got it approved. There’s so much to it with writing the plans, answering questions, planning it out, it’s crazy how many steps and processes there are. For just this one project, it takes so much time and effort,” Szarzynski said.
Szarzynski shared that the building portion of the project was his favorite part and that he realized the need for the benches when he was working there and had nowhere to sit down or put his belongings.
“When I worked, I always thought, ‘There’s really nowhere to sit down,’ so I’m happy that people will be able to utilize it. When I see the benches now and people using them, I definitely think that’s nice, and I’m glad I was able to do it for the community.”
As Szarzynski moves on to the next chapter of his life and begins his dream of becoming a doctor, he isn’t leaving Scouting America behind. He hopes to return as an assistant leader of Troop 94 in EHT, where he completed his own Scouting career.
“I just need to give back to the organization that gave to me,” Szarzynski said. “It’s all about giving back. That’s the entire Scout way, always giving back to the community. I wish more people were involved in Boy Scouts and knew about it all.”
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DLC Media, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
