On Thursday, January 23, Mazomanie’s Boy Scout Troop 58 added a new Eagle Scout to its ranks. An Eagle Scout Board of Review, comprised of Boy Scout officials and community members, unanimously approved Brennan Fredericks for ascension to Eagle Scout.
The board consisted of Wisconsin River District Eagle Coordinator Dan Frisch, former Troop 58 Scoutmaster and current Mazomanie Lions member Mike Klessig, former Troop 58 Assistant Scoutmaster and current Unit Commissioner Cheryl Schmidt, Distict 1 EMS member Mel Yasick, Black Earth Historical Society President Shirley Danz and Black Earth Historical Society Board Member Shirley Williams.
Fredericks, a Black Earth resident, joined Troop 58 in 2002. At the time his parents, Dan and Donna Fredericks, were looking for extracurricular activities for their son. The challenge: Fredericks suffers from a wide variety of potentially life-threatening food allergies. They needed to ensure his safety by limiting his exposure to dangerous food items.
According to Donna Fredericks, a chance meeting with Troop 58’s scoutmaster at the time, Mike Klessig, opened their eyes to Scouting. “Mike made it very clear that Boy Scouts was open to all boys, regardless of special circumstances,” says Fredericks, “He said they would do what was necessary for Brennan to be involved.” Despite having no past experience with Boy Scouts, and being older than most new members, Brennan joined up.
Fredericks’ medical condition also prompted his parents to enroll him in the Monroe Independent Charter High School, where he combines independent study with university-prepared high school courses. He is currently the equivalent of a high school junior. “Students that are enrolled in our program need to be self-directed and very motivated,” says MICHS teacher Jeff Schaal, “I would guess that his Boy Scout experience has aided in that growth.”
“I think what the Fredericks did was a great idea,” stated Jeff Kirchman, Troop 58’s current scoutmaster, “Not only is Scouting able to provide Brennan socialization opportunities with boys his age, but many of the activities are in line with his home-school curriculum activities as well.”
There were challenges of course, due to Fredericks’ food allergies. For example, menu planning for troop campouts must be strictly regulated. The troop sees that Fredericks is primarily responsible for both planning meals and purchasing food items for those activities. “This arrangement helps ensure that we don’t inadvertently bring anything that could be dangerous to Brennan,” said Kirchman.
Fredericks also had to forgo the troop’s annual summer camp for many years, due to concerns about exposure to dangerous foods. In 2007, precautions were put in place at the Ed Bryant Scout Reservation near Mauston, and Fredericks was able to attend summer camp for the first time.
Fredericks has proved a model Boy Scout in his time with the troop. In 2005, Fredericks was instrumental in helping to save the life of a man suffering an allergic reaction to an insect sting. Fredericks provided the medicine epinephrine, something he carries with him at all times and instructed others in the administration of the medication. Medical officials on scene credited Fredericks’ quick thinking and calm explanation with preventing respiratory arrest long enough for emergency medical personnel to arrive and take over care. Fredericks is currently being nominated for a Boy Scouts of America National Lifesaving Award for his role in the incident.
Eagle Scout is the highest Boy Scout rank. To be recognized as an Eagle Scout, the youth must earn 21 merit badges, actively serve in troop leadership positions, plan and oversee a community service project and successfully complete an Eagle Scout Board of Review. With the Board’s positive vote, Fredericks is officially recognized as an Eagle Scout. A ceremony celebrating Fredericks’ achievement is planned for March 30 in Black Earth.
“Brennan came to me a little over a year ago and expressed an interest in working to become an Eagle Scout,” says Kirchman. “I provided some guidelines, contacts and resources, and the rest was pretty much him. To go from where he was to Eagle in the time frame he has is quite an accomplishment, and isn’t something that can be done without a lot of hard work and dedication.”
Troop 58 is chartered by the Mazomanie Lions and serves the communities of Black Earth, Mazomanie and Arena, as well as the surrounding area. The core values of the Boy Scouts revolve around an appreciation for the outdoors, involvement in the community and development of leadership skills. Membership is open to boys aged 11 to 17. For information on Troop 58 or Boy Scouts in general, contact Jeff Kirchman at 795-2716.
CAPTION COPY: Do we have a picture?
Black Earth’s Brennan Fredericks passes an Eagle Board of Review to become Troop 58’s newest Eagle Scout. Participants included (left to right) Mike Klessig, Cheryl Schmidt, Fredericks, Dan Frisch, Mel Yasick, Shirley Danz and Shirley Williams.