Boy Scout makes Face Shield for Front Line Workers

Scout 3-D Prints Face Shields for Front Line Workers

“Do a good turn daily” the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America, rings true well after 110 years of the Scouting Program. Kai Gottschalk, a Scout of Troop 941 in Pleasanton, is living up to the slogan by using his own 3-D printer to construct face shields for health care providers, both local and abroad. Gottschalk has constructed and shipped nearly 3,800 shields made of transparency sheets and hard plastic bands to 40 organizations.

Bay Area organizations include Oakland’s Highland Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, Livermore Optometry Group, Waste Management, among others. This personal protective equipment (PPE) has also been shipped to University of Miami Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, Princeton and Capital Health Hospital, and more.

Gottschalk said he found inspiration for this act of service from a family friend who works in the medical field. With the lack of proper PPE, the medical professionals found themselves in need of appropriate equipment to treat those possibly infected with the Corona virus. After searching the internet for tutorials, Gottschalk was able to find a design and video to create face shields using a 3-D printer. NorCal Ambulance was the inaugural organization to accept the act of service. Enlisting several other Scouts from his Troop and friends from high school, Gottschalk has been able to expand his production and outreach.

As a Life Scout, Gottschalk plans to continue on the path to Eagle Scout, the highest rank earned in Scouting. Troop 941 is chartered through the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6298 in Pleasanton of the Golden Gate Area Council.

To help Kai Gottschalk purchase supplies for further face shield production, please consider donating at http://www.troop941.org/faceshields