Torrance, CA (January 29, 2015): On the weekend of January 17-18, Bishop Montgomery sophomore Carlos Bernal ’17 completed his final project in becoming an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. For his project, Bernal traveled to the Angeles National Forest where he helped refurbish and restore the Valley Forge Campground. He spent the weekend repairing a bridge, refurbishing and replacing picnic tables and fire rings, and clearing back brush to make room for additional tent sites. “I really like the area and it needed a lot of work,” Bernal said when asked why he chose this site for his project. He added that the heavily used campsite “needed a little bit of tender loving care.”
For Bernal, scouting and camping have been a passion for as long as he can remember. He has been involved in scouting since the first grade and he notes that camping has been a huge part of his life. “Camping provides a nice change of scenery and allows me some peace and quiet,” says Bernal. Working on making the Valley Forge Campground a better place allowed Bernal the chance to be out in the wilderness while doing something good for both the community and his fellow scouts.
In addition to honing some of the leadership skills he has acquired through scouting, Bernal enjoyed helping younger scouts. “Teaching the newer, younger scouts about respecting the wilderness really was awe-inspiring,” notes Bernal. When asked what impacted him the most about the project, Bernal said, “It was humbling to know that I was a part of making the area a better place so that people will be able to enjoy it for years to come.”
In addition to his work with the Boy Scouts of America, Bernal is active on Bishop Montgomery’s campus as well. He is an offensive lineman for the Knights’ football team and competes on the school’s Improv Club team.