“We have to acknowledge our world and our actions while we are in it. It’s
our time, our responsibility,” – Chase Cousino
It’s easy to question today’s young people; it always has been and most likely always will be.
This is a time of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty and pressures on youth most adults simply can’t imagine.
There are times we question what kind of leaders our youth will be. Will the next generation be better stewards of our ever-changing world? How will they handle political, environmental and global pressures?
Chase Cousino at the presentation dinner for his Conservation Service Award from the Boy Scouts of America. (photo provided)
It does make you wonder. That is, until I was introduced to 17-year-old Chase Cousino.
Chase is a recent graduate of Carleton Airport High School. He is a wonderful reminder that the next generation can bring fresh perspectives, raw talent, and an unexpected depth of wisdom. Chase is one of those young men who will completely change your thoughts on young people today; let me tell you a ltittle more about Chase Cousino.
Chase has always been an avid fisherman and hunter. He and his father always had time for fishing most anything from bluegill to muskie and hunting for anything that ran or flew. They love the outdoors.
Chase’s father, Jason, has been teaching, supporting and encouraging him in the outdoor world. Jason is Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts in Carleton Troop 508 and has also helped guide his son to Eagle Scout, which he achieved at age 13.
As you might guess, they are each other’s biggest fans. A heart warming father/son relationship.
Chase also loves sports, a standout on his high school’s football, basketball and baseball teams. In the classroom, he has managed to maintain a 3.6 GPA.
Chase is no stranger to ribbons, trophies, medals and awards. He’s been accumulating them for most of his young life.
Chase recently found he has another award for his wall, a big one. He was the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Conservation Service Award.
“It’s a very rare Boy Scouts of America award. So rare, only one other Boy Scout has earned it in Michigan,” Jason proudly told me.
The requirements to earn the award are rigorous. Aside from earning Eagle Scout status, he must also earn five merit badges tied directly to conservation, leadership, planning, environmental understanding and improvement. Chase earned his five required merit badges, plus four more. He then needed to choose two projects, write a proposal for both, create a project plan, fundraising campaign, identify tools, equipment needed, and a safety plan.
Chase chose to build an Osprey nesting platform, working with DTE and Michigan DNR. His second project was to convert a farm field into a pollinator management area.
“Basically Chase took the role of project manager of both projects. Both are time-consuming and a tremendous amount of work,” Chase’s father Jason went on to tell me.
Chase excelled in all areas of the osprey nesting project, building eight platforms in total. He had the complete cooperation of the DNR, an OSPREY watch group and DTE linemen and bucket trucks.
Osprey have a tendency to nest on utility poles, creating a danger for the osprey but also potential power outage problems. Chase had a pair of osprey nest the very first spring and every year after in the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area.
Chase’s second project was the ‘Pollinator Management Area’ located in the Petersburg State Game Area. Again, he excelled at carrying out a well-designed plan. He got volunteers from Pheasants Forever to mow the four-acre field, coordinated with the DNR to spray herbicides to kill any vegetation in preparation for native pollinator seed mix planting. The mix was Michigan native wildflowers, and a prairie grass blend from Pheasants Forever.
“My wife (Jodi) and I are so proud of Chase. To earn this rare honor, which was very time-consuming, yet he managed to keep his high school grades up, play three sports and still find time to enjoy the outdoors. Chase is an impressive young man and he deserves this high honor. He earned it,” says his father Jason.
“It’s one of those good news stories about our youth. But it also shows how the Boy Scouts of America can help young men and be a motivating force for them,” Jason stated.
Chase has clearly put the spotlight on Scouting and on scoutmasters.
“I learned so much from this project; it helped my leadership skills a lot. But it was planning out the projects that helped me the most. I had to remain disciplined to keep working at the plan and understand the logistics of it all,” Chase told me.
Chase was honored by Rep. James DeSana and Rep. Tim Walberg with a State of Michigan Special Tribute proclamation at the awards presentation.
When Chase was asked what advice he can offer his peers from this experience, he said, “Of course, leadership is more important than ever today,” he replied.
“But we have to understand this is our planet; we have to take care of it. We have to keep it clean and healthy, not just the air, water and earth, but for all creatures who share it with us,” Chase continued.
“We have to acknowledge our world and our actions while we are in it. It’s our time, our responsibility,” Chase concluded.
Other Awards/Achievements
Here is a look at some of Chase’s other awards while being part of the Boy Scouts of America. After the rank of Eagle Scout, he continued to earn more Merit Badges. In total, he has earned nearly 70 Merit Badges and 9 Eagle Scout Palms.
• Scouts Outdoor Ethics Award
• National Outdoor Award
• National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• World Conservation Award
• National Youth Leadership Training
• Complete Angler Award
• Historic Trail Award
• 50 Miler Award – two-week trip to BSA high adventure camp in New Mexico with his father. Did 70 miles and backpacked up to nearly 12,500 feet elevation.
