GRASS VALLEY, Calif. February 8, 2021 – A 12-year-old Grass Valley boy has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, one of the youngest Boy Scout members to achieve Scouting’s highest honor. Adam Polley’s Eagle Scout project of installing three benches along Grass Valley’s Wolf Creek trail means walkers and joggers can enjoy the benches as they immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.
Since 1912, over 2 million youth have risen to the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout. This month, 12-year-old Polley from Troop 24 of Nevada City earned his Eagle Scout badge and became one the youngest Eagle Scouts in Boy Scout history. Polley joins a distinguished group that includes astronauts, Nobel Prize winning scientists, professional athletes and Olympians, prominent politicians, award-winning news writers and anchors, Rhodes Scholars, generals and admirals, surgeons, inventors and a United States president.
“It’s extraordinary becoming an eagle scout and joining such an elite group,” said Polley. “It’s humbling.”
Polley became a scout in 2014 when he was only six-years-old. Each year, he participated in every elective offered, including camping, fishing and hiking. Within the first year of joining the Boys Scouts, he decided that he wanted to earn as many merit badges as possible and eventually become an Eagle Scout.
To date, Polley has earned 71 merit badges – more than half of the 139 badges possible for a scout to earn. Some of those badges include: emergency preparedness, fire safety, citizenship in the community, personal management, sustainability, wilderness survival, public speaking and scholarship.
“I’ve learned as much through scouting as I’ve learned at school,” Polly said. “Every day I try to live up to Scout law and our oath.”
Through scouting, Polley’s love of the outdoors and adventure has grown. He has also come to realize how important it is to give back to his community. On a suggestion from his grandmother, Avaline Polley, Adam decided on an Eagle project that would combine his love of nature with his desire to help his community. He installed two park benches along the Wolf Creek Trail in Grass Valley. In addition – with the help of generous, local donors – he fundraised $3000 to purchase and install a third bench.
Polley is currently Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 24. His future goals include continuing to seek opportunities through the Golden Empire Council to serve his community and be elected to the distinguished Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow, which focuses on the twin traits of service and humility.
“I love to see people enjoying the benches and other things I’ve created through my service projects,” said Polley. “I couldn’t have done it all without the support of my fellow scouts and the leadership of Troop 24.”