Eric Bottelson Earned Eagle Scout Citation for Improvements to Lillinonah Trail

Written by Melissa Marici

Eric Bottelson earned his Citation for Eagle Scout at An Eagle Scout Court of Honor held for him on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 2:00pm at St. Paul’s Church in Brookfield, CT. He earned his award as a member of BSA Troop 5 Brookfield among his of leaders, mentors, peers, friends and family. His proud parents Don and Leslyn Bottlesen provided refreshments to all of those who attended.

His service project involved the repair of the Blue Trail at Lillinonah Town Park. He, along with his workers, cleared and remarked the trail, placed markers at significant locations, created an updated map of the Park and rebuilt the kiosk at the trailhead. He has known the park from Troop 5 campouts, saw the need, prepared a project planner and carried it through completion. Our entire community has benefited from this significant improvement.

Eric is a graduate of Brookfield High School, Class of 2015. He has taken Advanced Placement classes in physics, chemistry, calculus, world history, US history, government and politics. Need we add, he is a member of the National Honor Society, tutors younger students, and carries a very high GPA!

He was a linesman and defensive linesman on the Brookfield State Champion Football Team for 2014 and a 2 year Varsity Athlete. Eric is the State Champion in the 2014 and 2015 hammer throw! Also, he is a shot putter, throws the discus and is Captain of the indoor and outdoor track teams.

Eric is a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

Eric and his family moved to Brookfield from Georgia just as he was entering Boy Scouts. He was a Weblows in Pack 002 and earned the Arrow of Light in Georgia. In Troop 5, Eric has been Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and until his 18th birthday, Senior Patrol Leader. Eric has been a Den Chief for 3 years, attended Camp Sequassen for 5 years, participated in Youth Leader Training, is a Brotherhood Member of the honorary Order of The Arrow and attended the first ever National Jamboree in 2013 at Summit, West Virginia – Boy Scouting’s newest high adventure venue. He claims his greatest thrill was to have been only one of three in his troop to do the “Big Zip”, a 3000 foot long zip line!

This summer, along with several other Troop 5 Scouts and leaders, he is preparing for a trip to Philmont, New Mexico for a long term high adventure trip.

Among his hobbies, Eric is an accomplished artist and has had a display, along with his art class, at the Town Hall. His preferred medium is charcoal on paper – in fact he has shown his work at Troop 5 hobby nights.

He has been accepted at several prestigious collages and has decided to attend Virginia Tech where he plans to study industrial design and participate in sports as well!

Eric is the son of Donald and Leslie Bottelsen, 9 Fleetwood Land, Brookfield. His sister, Alex, is a Senior at the University of Connecticut.

In February, Eric successfully completed his Eagle Board of Review.

Troop 5 is proud to have had the opportunity to work with such an outstanding young citizen.